Welland Official Plan Update Statuary Public Open House And Public Meeting

The City of Welland is scheduling a Statutory Public Open House and Statutory Public Meeting regarding the updated City’s Official Plan in accordance with the Planning Act R.S.O. 1990, c. P13.

The draft updated Official Plan applies to the entirety of the City including all lands within its municipal jurisdiction. A Draft Official Plan is available to review.

Purpose

The Official Plan is a planning policy document that guides both short and long-term growth and development.

The City and retained planning consultants led by SGL Planning & Design Inc. have completed the work to update the City’s Official Plan. The new Official Plan will ensure that growth in the community is appropriately accommodated in the context of the City’s unique history and character.

Key highlights of the updated Official Plan include:

• Strategic directions focused on creating vibrant, healthy communities, addressing climate change, and economic vitality.
• Acknowledgment of First Nations history and treaty lands.
• Updated growth management strategies, including revised population and dwelling forecasts and increased intensification targets to accommodate Welland’s projected growth.
• Identified areas for growth within the City.
• Emphasis on the preservation of natural environmental systems, green spaces, and tree protection.
• Integration of art, culture, and design considerations to enhance the quality of life of all residents.
• Promotion of active transportation and updated infrastructure policies.
• Conforming with provincial policies.

Statutory Public Open House

TAKE NOTICE that a Statutory Public Open House will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to inform the public about the updated Draft Official Plan. The Statutory Public Open House will be held in-person at the following location and date:

WHEN: Thursday, November 20, 2025, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

WHERE: Council Chambers, Welland Civic Square, 60 East Main Street, Welland

The in-person Statutory Public Open House will be a drop-in event providing an opportunity to discuss the draft policies of the updated Official Plan with members of the Project Team. No registration is required to participate.

Statutory Public Meeting

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the City of Welland will hold a Statutory Public Meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to inform the public of the updated Official Plan under the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P13. No decision will be made on the adoption of the updated Official Plan at this meeting. The Statutory Public Meeting will be held in-person at the following location and date:

WHEN: Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 6:00 P.M.

WHERE: Council Chambers, Welland Civic Square, 60 East Main Street, Welland

Anyone wishing to speak may attend the Statutory Public Meeting in person or virtually. To participate virtually, please contact the City Clerk, Tara Stephens at clerk@welland.ca no later than 12:00 p.m. on December 8, 2025, to be provided with a link to participate. All Council meetings are livestreamed on the City’s Website at: www.welland.ca/Council/LiveStream.asp

To view the updated Draft Official Plan, please see the City's Official Plan Webpage. https://www.welland.ca/Planning/OfficialPlan.asp

To follow along on this process, visit Engage Welland for updates. https://www.engagewelland.ca/city-of-welland-official-plan-update

Comments may be provided verbally and/or as a written submission. Written comments should be submitted prior to November 28, 2025 and sent by regular mail to Planning and Development Services, City of Welland, 60 East Main Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 3X4, or e-mail to officialplan@welland.ca.

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of Council of the City of Welland to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a statutory public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Welland before the proposed official plan is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a statutory public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Welland before the proposed official plan is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

If you wish to be notified of the decision of the City of Welland on the Proposed Updated Official Plan you must make a written request to Planning and Development Services, City of Welland, identified above or email officialplan@welland.ca..

For more information about this matter, including information about appeal rights, contact to Planning and Development Services, City of Welland, identified above or email officialplan@welland.ca..

Planning and Development Services is located on the second floor, Civic Square, and is open between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Nicolas Aiello,
Manager of Policy Planning