Norfolk County - Approval to amend a municipality’s official plan

On May 22, 2024, Norfolk County Council adopted Official Plan Amendment 163 (OPA 163) pursuant to sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act by By-law 2024-48. OPA 163 represents the first phase of the County’s comprehensive official plan update and establishes a long-term growth management strategy for Norfolk County. The amendment implements this strategy by updating urban area boundaries, revising land use designations, and adding or modifying site-specific policies within the County.

Following adoption, OPA 163 was reviewed for consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 (PPS) and for alignment with matters of provincial interest as identified in section 2 of the Planning Act. On September 5, 2025, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved OPA 163 in part, subject to eleven (11) modifications. A decision was withheld on nine (9) matters found to be inconsistent with Policy 2.3.2 of the PPS, which sets criteria for Settlement Area Boundary Expansions.

On January 27, 2026, Norfolk County staff submitted information to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in support of a Settlement Area Boundary Expansion for lands in Simcoe where a decision had been withheld on OPA 163. This area specifically relates to the southern Part 1 area in Simcoe on withheld matter number 4 of ERO 28-OP-243176. On February 25, 2026, the Mayor of Norfolk County provided a letter to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing indicating that Council has endorsed the Settlement Area Boundary Expansion in the southern Part 1 area in Simcoe. 

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking feedback on the inclusion of this parcel within the Urban Area of Simcoe, as well as feedback on the remaining withheld matters of OPA 163.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the approval authority for OPA 163 under the Planning Act. The Minister’s further decision on this official plan amendment is final and is not subject to appeal.