Growth Management Program

On July 25, 2022, Sarnia City Council adopted the new Official Plan for the City of Sarnia through By-law 83 of 2022.

The new Sarnia Official Plan has been forwarded to the County of Lambton for approval.

The new Official Plan provides a comprehensive framework to guide decision making about future growth and development to the year 2046. The plan is intended to conform with the County of Lambton Official Plan, be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and have regard to matters of provincial interest. The new Official Plan contains policies on such matters as the natural environment, land uses and community development, growth management, resources, transportation, and services.

The new Official Plan applies to the entire City and will replace the current Official Plan that was adopted in 2014.

Public Meeting

The Council of the City of Sarnia will hold a public meeting on Monday, July 11, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. on the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan.

Purpose and Effect

The city is in the process of preparing a new Official Plan that will provide a comprehensive framework to guide decision making about future growth and development to the year 2046. The plan is required to conform to the County of Lambton Official Plan, be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and have regard to matters of provincial interest. The proposed plan contains policies on such matters as the natural environment, land uses and community development, growth management, resources, transportation, and services.

On June 6, 2022, Sarnia City Council directed changes to the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan including a settlement area boundary expansion on the south side of Lakeshore Road between Waterworks Road and Brigden Road (see Map 1 of the June 9, 2022 Non-Agenda Report). The change will include the addition of a Future Urban policy framework that promotes good community design and prioritizes mixed-use development. The balance of the proposed Official Plan remains as proposed and can be viewed online at https://www.speakupsarnia.ca/growth-management or at City Hall.

Council will not consider adoption of the Draft Official Plan at the public meeting.

How to Participate:

Any person may make written or verbal representation to Council on the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan as follows:

To speak at the Public Meeting, we encourage you to pre-register through the Clerks Department before noon Wednesday, July 6, 2022, by email to clerks@sarnia.ca or phone at 519-332-0330 ext. 3320.

Sarnia City Council has returned to in-person meetings. You may participate in the public meeting virtually, or in-person. Instructions for participating in the public meeting virtually will be provided following registration and are available online at https://www.sarnia.ca/virtualsarnia/ under Public Meetings.

Written submissions may be provided by email to sarnia@planpart.ca or by dropping off to the City Hall drop box located outside the main entrance to City Hall, 255 Christina Street North.

Any Person may observe the Public Meeting on the City’s website at https://www.sarnia.ca/council-meetings/.

A copy of the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan and additional information on the Growth Management Program is available online at https://www.speakupsarnia.ca/growth-management.

Notice of Adoption

If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed official plan you must make a written request to the City of Sarnia at the address noted above.

A Public Meeting on the Draft New Official Plan was held by City Council on March 21, 2022, this meeting will continue on Monday, April 25, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting will be virtual, City Council will not consider adoption of the Draft Official Plan at the public meeting.

Any person may make written or verbal representation to Council on the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan as follows:

• To speak at the Public Meeting, we encourage you to pre-register through the Clerks Department before noon Wednesday, April 20, 2022, by email to clerks@sarnia.ca or phone at 519-332-0330 ext. 3320.

Instructions for participating in this virtual meeting will be provided following registration and are available online at https://www.sarnia.ca/virtualsarnia/ under Public Meetings.

• Written submissions may be provided by email to sarnia@planpart.ca or by dropping off to the City Hall drop box located outside the main entrance to City Hall, 255 Christina Street North.

Any Person may observe the Public Meeting on the City’s website at https://www.sarnia.ca/council-meetings/.

Would you like to comment on the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan? Join us at one of the upcoming public meetings, or provide written comments.

Join the virtual Public Open House

Monday, March 7, 2022 at 6:30pm to 8:00pm

There is no requirement to pre-register for the Public Open House. The Open House will begin with a presentation to summarize the Official Plan review process, public engagement, and the organization and content of the Draft Official Plan. The Open House will finish with time for questions.

To join the meeting online use the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86780069904?pwd=U0ZOeTRPZDdjN3p2WUEvOE9XeUlMZz09(External link)

To join the meeting by phone, use the following:
Dial: +1 (204)-272-7920 | Meeting ID: 867 8006 9904 | Passcode: 085651

Register to speak at the Public Meeting

Monday, March 21, 2022 at 12:00pm

To speak at the Public Meeting, we encourage you to pre-register through the Clerks Department before noon Wednesday, March 16, 2022, by email to clerks@sarnia.ca or phone at 519-332-0330 ext. 3320.

You may also provide written comments on the plan, comments may be provided by:

• By email to sarnia@planpart.ca
• By dropping off to the City Hall drop box located outside the main entrance to City Hall, Attn: Planning Department
• By mail to City of Sarnia, Attn: Planning Department, 255 Christina Street North, PO Box 3018, Sarnia ON N7T 7N2

Public Open House
The City of Sarnia is hosting a Public Open House under Section 17 of the Planning Act for the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan. The Open House will begin with a presentation to summarize the Official Plan review process, public engagement, and the organization and content of the Draft Official Plan. The Open House will finish with time for questions.

Date: Monday, March 7, 2022
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: On-line via Zoom

To join the meeting online use the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86780069904?pwd=U0ZOeTRPZDdjN3p2WUEvOE9XeUlMZz09

To join the meeting by phone, use the following:
Dial: +1 (204)-272-7920
Meeting ID: 867 8006 9904
Passcode: 085651

Public Meeting
The Council of the City of Sarnia will hold a virtual public meeting on the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan under Section 17 of the Planning Act.

Purpose and Effect
The city is in the process of preparing a new Official Plan that will provide a comprehensive framework to guide decision making about future growth and development to the year 2046.

The plan is intended to conform with the County of Lambton Official Plan, be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and have regard to matters of provincial interest. The proposed Plan contains policies on such matters as the natural environment, land uses and community development, growth management, resources, transportation, and services.

A map has not been provided because the proposed Plan would apply City-wide.

No decisions on the Draft Official Plan are being made at the March Open House or Public Meeting.

Date: Monday, March 21, 2022
Time: 12:00 P.M.

Any Person may observe the Public Meeting on the City’s website at https://www.sarnia.ca/council-meetings/.

Any person may make written or verbal representation to Council on the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan as follows:

To speak at the Public Meeting, we encourage you to pre-register through the Clerks Department before noon Wednesday, March 16, 2022, by email to clerks@sarnia.ca or phone at 519-332-0330 ext. 3320.

Instructions for participating in this virtual meeting will be provided following registration and are available online at https://www.sarnia.ca/virtualsarnia/ under Public Meetings.

Written submissions may be provided by email to sarnia@planpart.ca or by dropping off to the City Hall drop box located outside the main entrance to City Hall, 255 Christina Street North.

A copy of the Draft New Sarnia Official Plan and additional information on the Growth Management Program is available online at https://www.speakupsarnia.ca/growth-management.

Notice of Adoption
If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed Official Plan, you must make a written request to the City of Sarnia at the address noted above.

The City of Sarnia has released the Draft Official Plan to the community. The plan provides the city with a comprehensive framework within which to guide decision making about future growth and development to the year 2046.

The plan promotes Sarnia as a Successful City, a City that recognizes existing, historic land use patterns and development trends and builds upon these patterns and trends to promote efficient, cost-effective development and land use changes that will stimulate economic growth while protecting the natural environment and public health.

• Draft Official Plan – Text
• Draft Official Plan - Maps

Next Steps

A series of public sessions will take place beginning with a virtual Public Open House on Monday, March 7, 2022, from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. The Open House will begin with a presentation to summarize the Official Plan review process, public engagement, and the organization and content of the Draft Official Plan. The Open House will include time for questions.

A virtual public meeting will take place on Monday, March 21, 2022.

Building off the community workshops that took place earlier this year, the survey seeks community input on the five principles for a successful community that will form the foundation of the Official Plan.

The new Sarnia Official Plan will set policy direction on matters of growth and development, it will provide a framework for integrated, place-based and long term planning that supports and integrates the principles of a successful community. The plan will support improved land use planning and management and will coordinate cross boundary matters to complement actions of other planning authorities.

Please review the discussion paper posted on the project page for additional context on the survey.

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Official Plan Review is kicking off with five engagement sessions focused on the principles of a successful community spanning over two days (July 28th and 29th). Join us for any or all of the sessions by signing up online. Can't attend join the discussion online.

JULY 28, 2021

Growth Management & A Complete Community (10:00 - 11:30AM)

A conversation to understand options for growth in Sarnia and how the City as a "complete community" can be enhanced to meet peoples needs for daily living throughout an entire lifetime by providing convenient access to a mix of jobs, local services, a full range of housing, including affordable housing, and public service facilities, including educational and recreational facilities.

A Healthy & Livable Community (1:00 - 2:30PM)

A conversation to understand how Sarnia as a "healthy and livable community" can be enhanced to meet basic needs and provide a high quality living environment, access to public health services, a variety of experiences, support of cultural heritage, a vibrant economy, and a healthy ecosystem.

A Beautiful Community (3:00 - 4:30PM)

A conversation to understand how Sarnia as a "beautiful community" can be enhanced with well designed buildings, streetscapes, neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces, roads, and supporting infrastructure.

JULY 29, 2021

A Viable Community (1:00 - 2:30PM)

A conversation to understand how Sarnia as a "viable community" can be enhanced to ensure a strong economy that responds to the market, is efficient, and cost effective.

A Sustainable & Resilient Community (3:00 - 4:30PM)

A conversation to understand how Sarnia as a "sustainable and resilient community" can be enhanced to ensure it is environmentally and socially healthy and resilient, and meets the challenges of climate change and other environmental issues through integrated solutions.