Housing Report Released

Town Council has received the Affordable and Inclusive Housing Plan provided by Dillon Consultants as a part of the Official Plan Update.  This report outlines six key recommendations that are designed to ensure a mix of housing options for everyone in Smiths Falls.  These 6 key action items are to be implemented within 2 years.  Read the full report here:  Affordable and Inclusive Housing Plan

New Official Plan Project gaining ground!

On March 17th Town Council accepted reports on the Official Plan Visioning and Strategic Approaches presented by staff and Dillon Consulting, along with a report on the Opportunity Areas as identified.  These are the guiding documents that will help shape how the Town will grow and develop in the next 25 years.  

This important milestone confirms the proposed approach on the five key themes as well as identifies a preliminary vision for each of the four opportunity areas, where we expect most development will occur over the next 25 years.  This will set the foundation for the first draft of the Official Plan – stay tuned for its release the spring of 2025! 

Smiths Falls Expansion - Technical Brief 

Settlement Area Boundary Expansion and Strategic Opportunities - Staff Report

Vision and Strategic Approaches - Staff Report

What We Heard - World Café  

This summary highlights the feedback we've received from our recent World Café Event held on October 10, 2024.  Click on the link below to read the exciting findings!  

What We Heard - World Café Engagement Summary

New Official Plan Project - World Café - Summary of Your Feedback

Residents from Smiths Falls gathered at a well-attended event held on October 10th to provide input into the New Official Plan being developed by the Town in conjunction with Dillon Consulting.  That feedback is vital to the creation of a plan that will guide growth and development in Smiths Falls for the next 25 years!  

New Official Plan - World Café

They’re here!  The brochures that outline the five key themes of the New Official Plan project are now available. These brochures will form the basis of engagement for the World Café-Open House – on Thursday October 10^th at the Youth Arena Upstairs.  Be sure to stop by to have your say on how the Town grows and develops over the next 25 years!  Click on each of the following titles to access the brochure.  See you at the World Café- a fun environment where you tell us what you want for our Town!

Themed Brochures have arrived!

Transportation

Housing

Sustainability

Downtown Revitalization

Community Spaces and Places

For Immediate Release September 20, 2024 - Town Launches Official Plan Update Project 

We want your input!  Have your say on the future growth and development in Town.  Send your comments and suggestions to opupdate@smithsfalls.ca.  

The Town of Smiths Falls is in the process of creating a NEW Official Plan.  A new Official Plan will guide how Smiths Falls will grow and develop for the next 25 years. An Official Plan is a policy-led planning document that guides the growth and development of our community. It describes the long-term vision for our Town, identifies where and under what circumstances specific types of land use can be located, and includes policies that support environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and good quality of life for residents.

In early September, Planning staff brought Council Report #2023-116 to Council requesting direction on defining the scope of the Official Plan Update project. With the Lands Needs Study complete, the document provides valuable land assessment data to inform policy direction for the Town's with respect to growth and development. In preparation for the Official Plan Update, Staff conducted a public survey and internal Town department interviews which identified numerous areas and opportunities for growth and development within the Town that could be supported by the update of the Town's Official Plan.

The Council Report #2023-116 recommended Council direct staff to develop a Request for Proposal for qualified consultants to undertake the update to the Town's Official Plan that included the following elements:

• Host a five-themed workshop: Downtown Revitalization, Housing, Sustainability, Community Spaces and Transportation & Connections;
• Incorporate Transportation Master Planning, Commercial Sector Analysis and Housing Needs Study into the scope of this Official Plan Update; and,
• Plans for a 25-year growth horizon as envisioned by the Town's Land Needs Study

Please stay tuned for further information on the Official Plan update by subscribing to this page. To read Council Report #2023-116, locate the "Applicable Documents" tab at the bottom of this page.

Why is the Official Plan being updated?

Per the requirements of the Planning Act, the Official Plan is to be revised, as required, every 5 years. Periodic updates to the Official Plan ensure that we remain consistent with any changes made to any provincial policies. Additionally, an update to the Official Plan ensures that it accurately reflects the current goals and needs of the community and appropriately balances public and community interests.

The current Town of Smiths Falls Official Plan was adopted in 2014 and guides development through to 2034. A lot has happened since then, with more to come! Since our last Official Plan Update, we have approved several plans such as the Active Transportation Master Plan, and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as well as several new subdivisions.  The 2014 Plan forecast that about 500 new homes would be built by 2034 but as of early this year, we have actually seen over 750 new units. 

To support a review of our Official Plan, the Town initiated a Land Needs Study, which shows we need to designate new land to accommodate the growth and development we expect to see over the next 25 years. An updated Official Plan will determine where this new development will go and how it will be done.

The Smiths Falls Official Plan update will:

• Carry forward recommendations from recent Town plans such as the Active Transportation Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan;
• Align with current provincial growth policies and legislation; 
• Be informed by an engaged community to ensure their interests and feedback is considered; and,
• Identify how and where development will occur over the next 25 years and what we want to see. 

What is the purpose? 

In understanding how much land will be required to meet the needs of the population of Smiths Falls, the Town can determine if its current land capacity will be sufficient or if the Town should expand the municipal boundary.

This project will consider all lands located within the municipal boundary of the Town, with two specific study areas identified for future development: The East End Development Reserves (~250 ha/ 620 acres) and Ferrara Drive Lands (~7.5 ha / 19 acres).