MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 5, 2023

Smiths Falls announces the launch of its Official Plan update

Smiths Falls, ON – The Town of Smiths Falls is beginning work to update its Official Plan, which will guide development and land use in the Town for over a period of 25 years.

The Town’s Planning Division will lead this crucial process that will look at every aspect of the community’s development including housing, employment lands, downtown revitalization, transportation, infrastructure planning, and more. An official plan is a statutory document that reflects Council’s vision for the Town and guides all decisions Council will make regarding public and private development.

“The Official Plan helps us define what we want Smiths Falls to be, and Council wants to ensure that it aligns with the needs and values of our community. This update gives us the chance to help find ways to house all of our residents, explore principles of sustainable economic development and social wellbeing, all within the context of a complete and healthy community.  There will be lots of opportunities for the public and our partners to have their say, and we encourage everyone to do so, and check in regularly for updates” said Mayor Shawn Pankow.

The Town’s current Official Plan was adopted by Council in 2014 and forecasted a population of 10,100 by 2034, through the development of 517 new housing units and 250 new jobs. Since 2014, the Town has seen over 750 housing starts, along with significant expansions of industrial and commercial development. The Town has commissioned a Land Needs Study that shows the need to designate new land to accommodate the growth and development expected in the next 25 years. An updated Official Plan will determine where this new development will go and how it will be done. It will also:

• Implement recent Town planning documents including the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Active Transportation Master Plan;
• Update to align with current provincial planning policy and land use guidance; and,
• Identify strategic growth areas and specific planning policies for key parts of the Town.

“The Official Plan is the guiding policy document that outlines the community’s vision for how and where we want to see the Town develop. A lot has happened since 2014, and we want to make sure that the Plan is current to our needs. The update process will ensure that the public has an integral role in helping us plan for the future and how we’ll get there,” said Karl Grenke, Senior Planner.

A special meeting of Council will be held on Monday, June 5^th 2023 to introduce the update and obtain feedback from the community and partner stakeholders as to what they want to see included in the update. To find out more information and participate in the special meeting, visit smithsfalls.ca/officialplanupdate

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Media Contact

Esther Njuguna

Communications Coordinator

77 Beckwith Street N, Box 695

Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2B8

613-283-4124 ext. 1137

enjuguna@smithsfalls.ca