From the Beehive E 142: The City of St. Thomas Official Plan

The City of St. Thomas is undergoing its Official Plan Review, and it's one of the most significant planning processes the city has seen in years.

Mike from the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation sits down with Senior Planner Kevin McClure to break down what the Official Plan actually is, why it matters to residents and businesses alike, and what to expect from this review cycle. From employment lands and residential growth to transportation, heritage, and green space, the Official Plan touches every corner of how a city functions and evolves. With St. Thomas experiencing rapid growth and major legislative changes at the provincial level, the upcoming review is expected to bring substantial updates, all aimed at producing a more accessible, forward-looking document that plans through 2051.

The process kicks off May 28th at Memorial Arena, 6 to 8 p.m. Expect public workshops, focused topic sessions in the coming months, and real opportunities to shape the city's long-term direction. St. Thomas residents, business owners, and community members are all encouraged to attend and participate.