Planning review gives insight into growth

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

An annual review of planning services in Tillsonburg provided insight into both current and future growth in the town at the May 25 meeting.

Eric Gilbert, Manager of Development Planning, Community Planning for Oxford County, made a presentation on planning-related matters in the last year for Tillsonburg. Through an agreement, the county provides planning services to Tillsonburg. Outside of Amy Hartley, who is assigned to provide planning for the town, she is backed by a department of 20 people.

“We provide service similar to what you would find in a large urban centre,” Gilbert said.

Last year, there were 57 development applications for Tillsonburg. These ranged from planning and zoning amendments to site plan applications, draft plan of subdivision approvals, and condominium approvals.

“This workload has increased over the years as the conservation authority can no longer comment on applications with reference to natural heritage,” Gilbert said, and later explained that a consultant is used for this.

He also said many of the Tillsonburg applications are in-fill lots, which are more complex.

In 2025, development interest was more robust in the second half of the year than in the first six months. There were 252 residential lots and units approved last year, of which 163 were in Rolling Meadows. Gilbert also noted the proportion of townhouses to single-family residences has changed, and there are now more townhouse applications.

In Tillsonburg, the number of unbuilt residential units ranges from 2,100 to 2,650, depending on the type of residential when construction takes place.

“With the town’s water allocation becoming a topic of discussion, Gilbert said, “If you use the 3-year building permit average, this represents 15 to 19 years of building supply. If you use the 5-year residential average, this represents 10 to 12 years of supply,” he said.

Council accepted the report as information.