The process of updating Stratford’s Official Plan is making progress.
A management report by Supervisor of Planning Policy & Placemaking Stuart Filson was presented to city council on Tuesday.
The report focused on four discussion papers aiming to help frame key policy directions for the plan, including culture and built heritage, environmental stewardship, mobility and accessibility, and broader sustainability and community well-being.
According to Engage Stratford, the Official Plan is a key planning document that sets out policies and objectives to guide land use, development, and growth across Stratford.
This report comes as the city is updating the plan for the first time since 2016.
In an interview with MyStratfordNow, mayor Martin Ritsma said a lot has changed since the last update.
“Our Official Plan certainly needs to address not only the changes that take place in Stratford, but also has to respond to any of the provincial policy changes that have taken place.”
“We looked at the city with regards to it as a cultural city, a green city, a connected and mobile city, and a sustainable city. The piece that has yet to come is around the work we have to do in regards to the final policy piece around a growing city.”
Ritsma hopes the updated plan addresses climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency, as well as mobility.
Next steps will see a revision of the discussion papers, followed by an open house for the public can chime in on the plan.
A public meeting will also be held.
Ritsma hopes the current council accepts the updated plan before the newly-elected council can move the project forward.
