City of Port Colborne

What is an Official Plan?

An Official Plan is a statutory document which sets out the land use policy directions for long-term growth and development in a municipality. It is not to be confused with the Zoning By-law which further details the broad range of land uses set out in the Official Plan. The current Official Plan for the City of Port Colborne was approved by the Province on June 20, 1980.

The City of Port Colborne Official Plan contains policies governing various land use designations, such as Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and Open Space and Natural Heritage. These designations are broadly established on a land use map. Other policies relating to Mineral Aggregate Resources, Transportation and Community Improvement are incorporated into the Plan.

City of Port Colborne Official Plan (1980)

Official Plan Schedule "A"

Official Plan Schedule "B"

Official Plan Schedule "C"

Official Plan Schedule "D"

Official Plan Schedule "E"

Official Plan Schedule "F"

Official Plan Schedule Amendment #36

 Official Plan Amendments

While the Official Plan is intended to establish the policies for long-term growth, the Plan is periodically reviewed to ensure that it continues to meet the changing economic, social and environmental needs of the municipality. Occasionally, it is necessary to amend the policies and/or designations contained in the Official Plan in order to facilitate new development or redevelopment proposals. Opportunities for public review and input are provided prior to the City adopting any Official Plan Amendments.

Official Plan Amendment Application

For more information on making an Official Plan Amendment Application, please contact:

Shannon Larocque
Planner
Ph.  905-835-2900 ext. 202
Fax. 905-835-2939
Email Shannon Larocque 

Adopted Official Plan (2006)

In 2002, the City of Port Colborne in conjunction with Dillon Consulting took on the task for creating a new Official Plan for the City of Port Colborne. In October of 2006 the Draft Official Plan was adopted by Council and forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Niagara for their approval.  Since this time a number of Provincial and Regional policy changes have come into effect that need to be incorporated within the Adopted Official Plan (2006).  

Adopted Official Plan (2006)

Planning Staff are currently in the process of working with the Region and other interested parties to make the necessary updates to the Official Plan in order to ensure its conformity with the Provincial Policy Statement, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Regional Policy Plan and Regional Policy Plan Amendment 2-2009 Sustainable Community Policies: Places to Grow/2005 Provincial Policy Statement Conformity and Niagara 2031 Amendment.

Staff Report 2010-13 - Update and Next Steps: The City of Port Colborne New Official Plan, As Adopted, October 2006

 For more information on the Official Plan changes, please contact:

Lindsay Richardson
Community/Policy Planner
Ph.  905-835-2900 ext. 129
Fax. 905-835-2939   
Email Lindsay Richardson

For more information on the above noted Provincial and Regional policies, please see the following:

Provincal Policy Statement

Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Regional Policy Plan

Regional Policy Plan Amendment No. 2-2009