About the Official Plan
The City of Wrenford Official Plan (2018, office consolidation 2025) guides how we grow, protect our natural features, and plan for the future. It sets out land use designations, density limits, and area plan policies for every neighbourhood. If your development proposal does not match the current Official Plan, you will need an amendment.
When you need an amendment
You must apply to amend the Official Plan if your project requires a change to:
- The land use designation for your property
- The maximum density or height limits
- Policies in a specific area plan, such as the Wildrye Area Structure Plan or the Ambrel Lake Corridor Area Structure Plan
- Environmental or heritage policies that affect your site
An Official Plan amendment does not replace a zoning bylaw amendment. The Plan sets the broad policy direction, while the Zoning By-law handles the specific numeric rules. Most projects require both.
How to apply
Start by reviewing the Official plan summary and the Land use bylaw maps for your property. We strongly recommend booking a pre-consultation meeting with a planner to discuss your proposal before you submit a formal application.
To submit an application, you must provide:
- A completed Official plan amendment application form
- A site plan showing the property and surrounding area
- A written report explaining the proposed changes and why they align with the Planning Act, 2019 and municipal goals
- Any required studies, such as a traffic impact assessment or environmental site assessment
Fees and timelines
All fees are set out in the Fees and Charges By-law 2025-151. The application fee covers the initial review, advertising, and public hearing costs. If the application is incomplete, a completeness check fee of $75.00 may be charged before formal review begins.
Processing follows a standard timeline:
- Two-week completeness check: Staff review your submission to ensure all required forms and drawings are present.
- Six-to-eight-week planning review timeline: Planners evaluate the proposal against the Official Plan, provincial policy, and neighbourhood plans. Staff may request additional information.
- Standard 30-day public notice period: If the application is complete, the City advertises the proposal and notifies neighbours. You can submit written comments or attend the hearing.
- Hearing and decision: Council or the Committee of Adjustment reviews all submissions and votes on the amendment by-law.
What happens next
If Council approves the amendment, a by-law is passed to update the Official Plan. The change takes effect after the required appeal period under the Planning Act, 2019 expires. Once the Plan is updated, you can proceed with a zoning bylaw amendment or development application if required. You will need to pay any applicable development cost charges and community benefits charges at that stage.
Contact
For questions about eligibility, required studies, or application packages, contact the Planning Services team at [email protected]. You can also find detailed processing times and application forms on the Planning applications page.