The updated Official Plan will set the vision and direction for future growth and development in West Nipissing. Let’s build it together.
Purpose of the Project
Complete a review and update the Municipality’s Official Plan that is consistent with the most recent Provincial Policy Statement, the Planning Act and any other regulatory requirements.
Update the Comprehensive Zoning By-law to ensure conformity with the updated Official Plan in accordance with the Planning Act.
Upcoming Special Meeting of Council
The Council of the Municipality of West Nipissing will hold a Special Meeting to provide an opportunity to provide comments and discuss the revisions that may be required to the Official Plan with Council.
We invite the public to attend a Public Open House to provide input and ask question on the proposed Official Plan.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 225 HOLDITCH STREET, STURGEON FALLS
OPEN HOUSE ON AGRICULTURAL POLICIES: | 4:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M. |
OPEN HOUSE ON ALL POLICIES: | 6:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. |
SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL: | 7:00 P.M. |
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Watch the meeting live on the Municipality’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6HWMXnA-RBiH-UdZVClHg
Speak to Council In-personat the Special Council Meeting.
Speak to Council Virtuallyat the Special Council Meeting. Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, February 3rd. To pre-register, email officialplan@westnipissing.ca and provide your full name, address, and telephone number. You will receive a confirmation email with instructions for participating prior to the meeting date.
Speak at the Open House(s)with the project team.
Submit Written Commentsby email to officialplan@westnipissing.ca, using the comment form on the project website, or by dropping comments off in person at the municipal office. Written comments must be submitted by January 29th, 2026 in order to be circulated to Council prior to the meeting.
All comments addressed to Council and/or the project team will form part of the public record.
For further information or questions, you may reach:
Samantha Willock
Municipal Planner
705-753-6921
swillock@westnipissing.ca
The Official Plan addresses matters related to land use such as housing, transportation, economic development, the natural environment, and agriculture. The Zoning By-law regulates each zone’s permitted uses, building regulations, density, parking, and landscaping standards. Zones include, but are not limited to: residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural.
Public input is essential throughout the review process. Residents can provide feedback or ask questions at any time. Public Open Houses and Stakeholder Meetings will also provide a forum for discussion and input.
Official Plan Documents
Preliminary Documents
Public Engagement
Public Open House – March 26-27, 2025
Public Open House | Presentation Slides
Public Open House | Presentation Boards
Recording of the Public Open House on March 27 (Sturgeon Falls)
Engagement Summary
Engagement Summary_12-May-2025
Draft Official Plan Red-Lined Markup of Version 4
This is a red-line mark-up of Version 4 of the Draft OP, created to reflect comments heard during the open public houses.
West Nipissing Consultation Draft OP V5_12-May-2025_redline
Council Update on Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Agricultural Designation
Under the updated Official Plan, some properties or portion of properties that were previously designated as Rural Lands will now be designated as Agricultural Lands.
Agricultural Designation – Letter to Property Owners
Schedule A1 – Agricultural Designated Lands
Staff Report – Official Plan Agricultural Designation Recommendations
Draft Official Plan | Version 4
Draft Plan Version 4 – March 2025
Draft Official Plan (V4)
Schedules
Annexe 1
Schedules A1-A7
Schedule B
Schedule C
Schedule D1-D7
Draft Official Plan | Version 5
Draft Official Plan – Version 5
Schedules
Schedule A1 – Land Use
Schedule A2 – Sturgeon Falls
Schedule A3 – Cache Bay
Schedule A4 – Field
Schedule A5 – Lavigne
Schedule A6 – Verner
Schedule A7 – River Valley
Schedule B – Natural Heritage Features
Schedule C – Development Constraints
Schedule D1 – Transportation & Infrastructure
Schedule D2 – Sturgeon Falls
Schedule D3 – Cache Bay
Schedule D4 – Field
Schedule D5 – Lavigne
Schedule D6 – River Valley
Schedule D7 – Verner
Draft Official Plan | Version 6
Draft Official Plan – Version 6
Supporting Documents
Draft Official Plan | Version 7
Draft Official Plan – Version 7
West Nipissing Consultation Draft Official Plan
Schedules
Schedule A1 – Land Use
Schedule A2 – Sturgeon Falls
Schedule A3 – Cache Bay
Schedule A4 – Field
Schedule A5 – Lavigne
Schedule A6 – Verner
Schedule A7 – River Valley
Schedule B – Natural Heritage Features
Schedule C – Development Constraints
Schedule D1 – Transportation & Infrastructure
Schedule D2 – Sturgeon Falls
Schedule D3 – Cache Bay
Schedule D4 – Field
Schedule D5 – Lavigne
Schedule D6 – River Valley
Schedule D7 – Verner
How to get involved
Provide your comments in person
Written comments may be submitted in person at the Municipal Office located at 225 Holditch Street, Sturgeon Falls, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Submit your comments online
Share your feedback using our convenient Comment Form.
Project Timeline
PHASE 1
Project Initiation
April to October 2024
• Background Review
• Issues Identification
• Public Launch
PHASE 2
Draft Official Plan
October 2024 to
October 2025
• Draft reviewed by Staff and Planning Advisory Committee
• Public Open Houses
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Statutory Open Public
• Meeting of Council
• Final Draft Official Plan
PHASE 3
Draft Zoning By-law
November 2025
to July 2026
• Draft for Staff and Planning Advisory Committee
• Public Open House
• Stakeholder Engagements
• Final Document
PHASE 4
Final and Approvals
March 2026
to August 2026
• Prepare Final Schedules
• Revisions
• Final Official Plan Adoption
• Final Zoning By-law Adoption
Governance and Guidance
The Planning Act of Ontario requires municipalities to regularly review Official Plans to reflect updates to legislation, Provincial Plans and policies. Reviewing the municipality’s Official Plan ensures the document and vision for West Nipissing remains up to date and is consistent with guiding policy and legislation. The Act also requires municipalities to review and amend the implementing Zoning By-law within three years of an updated Official Plan. Planscape Inc. was retained in April 2024 to provide professional planning services to complete a new Official Plan and Zoning By-law.
Land use planning is undertaken under the authority of the Province of Ontario. The hierarchy and land use planning in Ontario is illustrated below.
Have your say
Provide Feedback
Your submission will be shared with the Official Plan Review Team. Note that comments may not all be replied to individually, but Municipal staff and consultants will review and evaluate all feedback for consideration.
For more information
The Official Plan and Zoning By-law Review team includes your municipal Planning department and consultants from Planscape Inc. For further information or questions, you may reach:
Samantha Willock
Municipal Planner
705-753-6921
swillock@westnipissing.ca
Residents and stakeholders can subscribe to receive email notifications specific to this project.
The personal information submitted on this page is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25 and will be used to provide details regarding the Official Plan Review and Zoning By-law review of the Municipality of West Nipissing.