Town of Pelham Leads with Completion of New Official Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 28, 2025

Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham proudly announces the completion of its New Official Plan - Picturing Pelham. This project marks a significant milestone for Pelham as it is the first municipality in the Niagara Region to finalize a New Official Plan since the removal of Planning Authority from the Region of Niagara by the Province. On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Town Council adopted By-law No. 28 2025 to approve the New Official Plan. The document will now be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for final approval under the Planning Act.

"This plan really shows how this Town is thinking ahead, making sure Pelham meets provincial goals but does so in a way that reflects what matters to the people who live here,” said Marvin Junkin, Mayor of the Town of Pelham. “It’s about finding the right balance for the Town, and Council and staff listened to the community every step of the way.”

Key highlights of the New Official Plan include a forward-looking vision for Pelham that supports a healthy, inclusive, and economically vibrant community. The updated growth management strategy accommodates future population and employment needs while reinforcing protections for existing neighbourhoods. The Plan also reinforces the protection and viability of agricultural lands and natural heritage features. Additional elements of the Plan include climate change mitigation, such as reducing air and water pollution and expanding access to natural and open spaces, aligning with the Town’s Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan. Cultural and artistic integration in community design is also highlighted to enrich the quality of life for residents of Pelham.

“This Plan represents the culmination of extensive research and public input,” said Lindsay Richardson, Policy Planner for the Town of Pelham. “It captures the community’s values and provides a thoughtful, future-ready framework for guiding growth while preserving what makes Pelham unique and a place so many are proud to call home.”

The New Official Plan sets out the Town’s long-term vision for growth and land use over the next 20 plus years. It is designed to guide development and infrastructure investments in a way that balances community needs with provincial requirements. The New Official Plan ensures consistency with Ontario’s 2024 Provincial Planning Statement and reflects conformity with the Greenbelt Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. 

Public engagement has been a cornerstone of this New Official Plan process. From early 2023 through 2025, the Town actively involved residents, developers, advisory committees and First Nations and Indigenous Peoples through consultations, public events, and online feedback. Their input has been critical in shaping the final Town of Pelham New Official Plan.

For more information or to view the New Official Plan, visit www.pelham.ca/officialplan

-30-

For media inquiries, please contact:

Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca