The Township is preparing a new Official Plan. It is the main policy document to express the Township’s goals and objectives for growth and development with a long term vision of complete communities. It provides a land use planning framework to guide the physical, social, economic and environmental management and growth of the Township.
The Township has one urban area with full municipal services (Village of Wellesley) and ten rural settlement areas, covering an area of 278 square kilometres with a population of about 11,500 residents. The Township is projected to grow to approximately 14,000 residents and 6,700 jobs by 2051.
The current Official Plan has been in place since 2015 and has been amended several times with the most recent amendment occurring in 2020. As of January 1, 2025, the Township of Wellesley assumed the role of planning authority with the Region of Waterloo becoming an upper-tier municipality without planning responsibility. As such, the existing Regional Official Plan became the responsibility of the Township as it applies to lands within the Township of Wellesley.
The new Official Plan will consolidate the current Township Official Plan and Regional Official Plan and conform to the new Provincial Planning Statement (2024). The Official Plan will address land needs in both the Urban Area and Rural Settlement Areas, housing mix and affordability, employment and commercial opportunities, servicing options, active transportation, open space and recreation, environmental protection and management and the continued preservation of agricultural land.
There will be many opportunities to share your thoughts to help shape the Official Plan. As an early step in the process, we invite you to register for a one-on-one conversation with a member of the consulting team (dates to be announced soon) to share your ideas of issues and opportunities that should be explored through the new Official Plan.
Phase 2 of the Official Plan involves conducting Background Research and Study Preparation, which includes the release of six draft Discussion Papers for public and stakeholder review and comment. Based on Township, agency, Council, and public feedback, the draft Discussion Papers will be reviewed and finalized. What is heard from engagement on these background reports will inform a series of policy directions which will inform Phase 3 of the project.
The six draft Discussion Papers along with summary documents are available below.
An Official Plan is a document that guides and shapes the future of a community by identifying where, and under what circumstances, specific types of land uses can be located within the Township’s Municipal Boundary. An Official Plan applies to all lands within the Municipal Boundary.
The Township’s current Official Plan has been in place since 2015 and is required to be periodically reviewed under the Planning Act. The new Township Official Plan will reflect the Township’s growth management vision, will integrate both the Regional and Township Official Plans, and will be consistent with the new 2024 Provincial Planning Statement.
To participate you can:
- Attend the public meeting on August 26th virtually or in person.
- Send written comments by mail to 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements ON N0B 2M0 or email to officialplanreview@wellesley.ca
- Contribute to the discussion below, and continue to monitor this page for new info and engagement opportunities.
Let us know what your thoughts are on Growth Management, Employment and Agriculture in the Township. Contribute to the three open discussions below. Please note that comments that are off-topic, rude, or insensitive in nature will be removed to maintain a respectful and focused discussion.
Click on "Add Marker" on the map below to provide comments related to growth management, employment, and agriculture within the Township. Click on the question mark in the top left hand corner for more information about navigating the map.
Please note that the map represents the in-force Official Plan mapping. The mapping may be subject to change through the Official Plan Review process.
