Email icon Back to Search

TAKE NOTICE that the Corporation of the Township of West Lincoln is undertaking a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) pursuant to Section 28 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13 and invites all interested persons to attend the Statutory Public Meeting to obtain feedback and comments regarding the CIP, the proposed Community Improvement Plan Area, as well as the proposed incentive programs.

Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

Township Administration, Council Chambers

318 Canborough Street, Smithville

Purpose of Effect

The Township of West Lincoln is proposing an Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP). This Statutory Public Meeting is a way for you to offer input and to get involved. A copy of the draft CIP will be made available for public review and feedback on the Affordable Housing CIP webpage.

Any person may attend the Public Meeting in person or electronically and make written and/or verbal representation either in support of or against the proposed CIP.

Please contact the Clerk at clerk@westlincoln.ca for more information or to register to speak electronically before 4 p.m. on the day of the Public Meeting. Public Meetings are live streamed on the Township YouTube Channel for anyone who would like to observe.

What is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

A Community Improvement Plan is a land use planning tool that allows municipalities like ours to provide financial incentives (grants and loans) and non-financial incentives to private landowners to encourage revitalization and development to achieve locally defined goals, like the provision of housing. The use of this tool is permitted under Section 28 of the Ontario Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990.

The Township of West Lincoln’s Affordable Housing CIP will establish a Community Improvement Project Area for the entirety of Smithville and propose financial and non-financial incentive programs to attract landowners, developers, non-profits, and community organizations to help diversify housing options in the Township. The CIP will serve as a toolkit to encourage the timely development of housing typologies, including “missing middle” housing and gentle infill in established neighbourhoods.

Additional Information

Questions, comments, and additional information regarding the Affordable Housing CIP and Community Improvement Plan Area may be requested by contacting Gerrit Boerema, Director, Growth and Sustainability, at gboerema@westlincoln.ca or 905-957-3346 ext. 5131.

More information, including project updates, can be found on the Affordable Housing CIP webpage.

All information including opinions, presentations, reports, documentation, etc. provided for or at a Public Meeting are considered public records. This information may be posted on the Township of West Lincoln’s website and/or made available to the public upon request.

Appeal Rights

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the Council of the Township of West Lincoln to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township before the Community Improvement Plan is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to Council of the Township of West Lincoln before the proposed CIP is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

Notification

If you would like to be notified of the decision of Council of the Township of West Lincoln on the proposed Community Improvement Plan and/or passing of the proposed Community Improvement Plan Area By-law, you must make a written request to the Clerk at clerk@westlincoln.ca.