OP review gets closer to completion after $50k top up

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Stratford’s new Official Plan (OP), perhaps the most important guiding document for the city, is expected to be completed late this year, despite some significant hurdles.

“There's been a number of things from the province,” Adam Betteridge, director of building and planning, stated at the most recent council meeting on Feb. 23. “Legislative changes, there's been staffing and resource shortages internally within the city, but also the consultants themselves have had planning changes with them. So we do have a consultant working there, but we had a change in planners assigned to the (file) there as well.

“We are still working with WSP (the city’s consultant),” Betteridge continued. “And we still want to work with WSP to finish the work. I think it's important that they do finish the work.”

The review began in 2023. WSP was selected as the consulting firm, which subsequently subcontracted Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. It has been working on behalf of the city to lead the review, draft policy review papers and conduct a land needs assessment. The work was paused in 2025 due to staff vacancies, ongoing provincial updates and constraining resources, according to the staff report.

After some recent developments and work, WSP is planning to have the papers done in the second quarter of 2026. Afterwards there will be a mandatory 110-day review period before the province reviews and ultimately approves the OP.

One complication is the upcoming municipal election in October, as discussed by council. If council is unable to approve the OP prior to the election, it will have to be paused for the new council to get its bearings, likely meaning an approval in 2027.

“My concern is continuing this into the next council,” Coun. Larry McCabe shared. “… Knowing how long it took — is taking — me to understand how the city is run, that it will also run into another council who has a considerable learning curve to get into. … Is there any way to get this in before the end of this council?”

“We’re striving for that,” Betteridge answered.

The total consulting cost has been $165,726. At the start of the review, council approved a budget of $227,025 (90 per cent covered through development charges and 10 per cent through reserves). According to WSP, $54,255 is needed to complete its work, an amount ultimately approved by council in a unanimous vote. The additional funds are set to come through the mayor’s budget.

The city’s current OP was approved in 2015. By provincial law it requires an in-depth review after 10 years. Like all OPs, it guides the city’s planning and development, including its layout, growth, conservation, heritage and amenities, to name only a few of its aspects.