MBC News file photo
Elgin County on Tuesday formally approved the Central Elgin Official Plan Amendment for the redevelopment of the former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital lands.
It is a significant step for what Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan called an important project for the entire region.
Approval by the county brings the Official Plan Amendment into effect and allows the municipality to advance the next phases of planning and development for the massive, decades-long development of the site.
On April 13, Central Elgin council approved the Hospital Lands OPA, and it then was submitted to the County of Elgin for approval.
As part of advancing the redevelopment of the Hospital Lands, the municipalitlaunched a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify potential development partners to help deliver a complete community on the site.
The RFP was issued on March 2,of this year, through a competitive bidding process, and closed on May 4. The municipality is currently reviewing the bids and expects to
finalize the process over the next few months.
According to the approved vision statement, the new community will feature:
- A range of affordable, accessible housing for people of all ages
- A walkable main street with local businesses, shops, and services
- Parks, community facilities, and complete streets designed to support active transportation
- A development form that is transit-ready, climate resilient, and integrated with the natural landscape
- A commitment to environmental stewardship and green building standards
- Design elements that honour the area’s agricultural roots and historical significance
A related story can be found here.
Written by Ian McCallum
