Official Plan Review - 2006 - 2010

A five year review of the Official Plan is mandated by the Province under the provisions of Section 16(1) of the Planning Act. While current provincial legislation does not mandate annual updates it does require that the municipality investigate the need for modification in light of emergent local issues and evolving matters of provincial interest. This Official Plan Review was completed in 2008.

The Official Plan Amendment to implement the changes to the Official Plan arising from the Official Plan Review process was adopted by Municipal Council on March 3, 2008.  On December 17, 2009, the Minister approved the amendments to the Official Plan, including modifications or changes to the Plan that was approved by Municipal Council in 2008.  The Amendments to the Official Plan, including the new Schedules, are now included in the current Official Plan,  and are in full force and effect, with the exception of those policies that have been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

To view the current Official Plan , which includes the Amendments from the Official Plan Review, follow the links to the current Official Plan.  

The following information includes the record of the Background Studies and Official Plan Policies and Schedules up to the adoption of Official Plan Amendment by Municipal Council on March 3, 2008. 

London's Official Plan
The City's land use planning
and development policies

The Official Plan contains City Council's objectives and policies to guide the short-term and long-term physical development of all lands within the boundary of the municipality.

It provides direction for the allocation of land use, provision of municipal services and facilities, and preparation of regulatory by-laws to control the development and use of land. These types of policies are considered necessary to promote orderly urban growth and compatibility among land uses.

The Plan should not be regarded as a static or inflexible document that is resistant to the pressures of unforeseen economic, social or development changes during the planning period. It is intended, therefore, that the validity of the Plan should be maintained through an ongoing process of monitoring, review and modification as required.

Background Studies

The Terms of Reference (pdf) for the Official Plan Review were approved by Council on April 10, 2006.

Implementation of Provincial Policies

• Issues Summary - 2005 Provincial Policies Statement - Staff Report Oct 16, 2006
• Issues Summary Report Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 - Staff Report Nov 20, 2006
• Proposed Policy Modifications Relating to Bill 51 and the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement - Staff Report May 28, 2007
• Complete Application and Pre-Consultation Provisions - Report to Planning Committee (July 9, 2007)
• Complete Application Provisions Official Plan Amendment - Report to Planning Committee (September 10, 2007)

Environmental Policies

• Environmental Policy and Mapping Modifications - Report to Planning Committee (May 28, 2007)
• Proposed Text changes to the Official Plan for environmental policies
• Proposed Mapping changes (in text format)

Growth and Land Needs

Commercial Policy

• Commercial Policy Review - Request for Proposals (October 16, 2006)
• Commercial Policy Review Component Studies of the Five Year Official Plan Review - Report to Planning Committee (July 9, 2007)
• Commercial Market and Supply Analysis (July 2007)
• Commercial Policy Review Background Report (July 2007)
• Downtown Policy Review (July 2007)
• Commercial Urban Design Guidelines (July 2007)
• Commercial Inventory (July 2007)
  • Map 1 - Commercial Areas
  • Map 1A - Vacant Commercial Policy Areas
  • Map 2 - Population
  • Map 2B - Population 15-24
  • Map 2C - Population 65+
  • Map 3 - Food Store Locations
  • Map 4 - Transit
• Commercial Policy Review - Draft Commercial Policies - September 24, 2007 Staff Report to Planning Committee
• Commercial Policy Review - Draft Commercial Policies - Attachment 1 to September 24, 2007 report to Planning Committee

Residential Intensification & Infill

• Residential Intensification and Infill Housing
• Residential Intensification and Infill Housing Background Study - Report to Planning Committee (May 28, 2007)

Affordable Housing

• Affordable Housing Policies - Report to Planning Committee (May 28, 2007)

Creative Cities

• Issues Summary - Affordable Housing, Transportation, Infill & Intensification and Creative Cities - Report to Planning Committee (August 21, 2006)

Transportation Policy Review

• Transportation Policy Review - Report to Planning Committee (July 9/07)
• Proposed Transportation Policy Modifications to the Official Plan

Draft Official Plan Policies and Schedules

• Summary of Comments Received Regarding Draft Official Plan Policies - Report to Planning Committee (September 10, 2007)
• Official Plan Review Information Report - Report to Planning Committee December 18, 2007