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
Coming Soon! 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! Stay tuned to this page for a summary of that feedback coming soon!
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 10th 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!
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).
| Applicable Documents |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
How can I stay up to date and be involved?This Official Plan Update project page will be regularly updated. If you would like to receive updates, please subscribe to this page. You may also join our digital mailing list by sending a request to opupdate@smithsfalls.ca. By agreeing to join our stakeholder list you will receive periodic emails or letters related to the Smiths Falls Official Plan Update. You can be taken off this list at any time by emailing opupdate@smithsfalls.ca. with the subject line "unsubscribe". All comments may become part of the public record of the review process to assist in deciding on this planning matter. Questions may be directed to Planning Clerk Marie Elmsley at melmsley@smithsfalls.ca.
What is in an Official Plan?An Official Plan is a long-range planning policy that functions as a blueprint for how the Town will grow containing both written policy documents and maps. Being a single-tier municipality, the Town of Smiths Falls has approval authority under the Planning Act, to make changes to our Official Plan. Our current Official Plan is organized into 7 sections that address different aspects of life in Smiths Falls, from the development of our Downtown Core to our commitment to environmental leadership. The goals and policies in each section are established to provide direction to the Town on a wide range of topics related to land use, infrastructure and the delivery of municipal services.
What can I expect to see with an Official Plan Update?An update to the Official Plan provides opportunity to address growth-related challenges and opportunities facing Smiths Falls. These challenges include housing affordability, economic development, sustainability and responding to climate change. The Official Plan’s policies are limited to what is within the Town's jurisdiction. For example, through the Official Plan the Town can plan where institutional uses such as schools can go. However, we cannot determine if a new school is needed.
How will the Official Plan Update Affect Me?The Official Plan update affects every resident in the Town of Smiths Falls. The Official Plan informs where new homes, industries, parks, and other land uses will be located, and the allocation of infrastructure services such as watermains, sewers, and roads. For example, an update to the Town’s housing policies could impact how affordable housing is defined and implemented in the Town.
How will my feedback be used?The feedback gathered through public engagement will be considered in the review of the Official Plan. Feedback gives staff important insight into the needs and wants of our community. With your support, your feedback will be used to guide the plans and policies comprised within the Official Plan.
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| Who's Listening |
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Karl Grenke, MCIP, RPP Senior Planner Town of Smiths Falls Phone: 613-283-4124 Ext. 1116 Email: kgrenke@smithsfalls.ca
Richard Grant Planner I Town of Smiths Falls Phone: 613-283-4124 Ext. 1123 Email: rgrant@smithsfalls.ca
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MUNICIPAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Tuesday October 8, 2024 – 4:30 p.m.
Smiths Falls Council Chambers, 77 Beckwith Street N
1. CALL TO ORDER & LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Tuesday October 8, 2024
4. DISCLOSURE OF MONETARY INTEREST
5. PRIORITY ISSUES
i) 36 Queen Street – Heritage Easement
ii) Heritage Conservation District Update
iii) 2024 Symposium Summary
6. PROJECT UPDATES
i) Algonquin College Project Update
7. ROUNDTABLE
8. NEXT MEETING
i) Tuesday December 10, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
9. ADJOURNMENT
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