Official Plan

The City of Quinte West Official Plan and Secondary Plans are key planning documents that detail the general principles and policies intended to guide and control future land use development and redevelopment, while safeguarding significant natural features, prime agricultural areas and rural areas. These documents provide general policy direction and a land use planning framework to guide the physical, social, economic, and environmental management and growth of the City.

The Official Plan is regulated by Section 17 of the Planning Act. It identifies the planned municipal structure and provides the framework for municipal regulations including:

• Zoning by-laws
• Site plan control
• Subdivision of land

The Official Plan also contains maps that designate land uses and help guide municipal decisions on public facilities and services such as transportation, roads, parks, and infrastructure. It also encourages the preservation of lands, buildings, or structures with environmental, historic, or architectural value.

While the Official Plan is intended to establish policies for long-term growth, the Planning Act requires that Official Plans be reviewed at intervals of not less than once every five years. The review ensures the plan remains relevant to the changing circumstances within Quinte West and to current provincial legislation and policies and appropriate guidelines.

Official Plan Amendments

The Official Plan may need to be amended from time to time due to new conditions in the community or a proposed development that meets the planning goals of the municipality.  An amendment may seek to change the land use designation of a property and/or apply new policies to that property as part of a proposed development or expansion to an existing use that is not allowed under the existing Official Plan. An Official Plan amendment may also require other approvals before the development can take place such as a Zoning By-law amendment. Although Official Plans must be approved by the Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, City Council has been granted authority to approve Official Plan amendments. With Official Plan amendments, the applicant must be able to show City Council that the proposed development meets the City's long-term plans for the area and is compatible with surrounding land uses.

Official Plan Amendment Application