Belleville Official Plan Review Public Consultation Centre Summary

On September 13, 2025, the City of Belleville, in partnership with NPG Planning Solutions Inc., hosted an in-person Public Consultation Centre (PCC) to gather community input for the City’s Official Plan update. This engagement session focused on five key areas: housing, intensification, urban design, agriculture, and growth management.

A total of 52 written responses were collected regarding the preliminary information provided on poster boards which will be used to inform policy directions and future updates to the Official Plan.

Feedback summary

Overall, public responses indicated particular interest in:

• Waterfront revitalization
• Improving connectivity and walkability in the City
• Supporting intensification through infill development, mixed use development and increased density in the downtown area
• Protecting agricultural lands

Housing

Received fifteen (15) responses.

• Some respondents indicated interest in 4-storey European style apartment complexes in the community. Furthermore, respondents indicated that this housing typology should have access to trails and amenities (such as a grocery store).
• Another comment expressed the importance of providing senior housing in a mixed-use building with shops on the main level and residential units above.
• A range of comments were provided regarding rental housing, summarized as follows:
  • Highlighting the need for better quality rental housing for families and middle-class renters;
  • Expressing concerns regarding conflicts between tenants and landlords in the tribunal process; and
  • Questioning what is causing housing affordability.
• With regards to creating more affordable housing, various respondents recommended repurposing old buildings to address homelessness and/or provide subsidized housing.
• One comment expressed the need to carefully manage and reduce high density residential plans. Another indicated that they are not interested in seeing gentle intensification in established neighborhoods.
• One respondent expressed interest in permitting tiny houses in the City.

Intensification

Received thirteen (13) responses.

• Some respondents expressed interest in promoting intensification by:
  • Redeveloping vacant/unused lots
  • Promoting density near the bus and train stations
  • Creating more infill housing
  • Marketing greyfield sites with planning permissions to facilitate higher quality development.
• Various respondents also expressed interest in creating a beach and providing access to more green spaces.
• One response highlighted the importance of protecting heritage buildings and incorporating them into new builds.
• Some responses expressed the importance of supporting/promoting downtown events and facilities. Which would include improving signage throughout the city.
• With regard to Greenfields and hills, one respondent expressed that this asset should be protected.
• One respondent noted that all plans requiring road work should be integrated to avoid digging up the same road several times.

Urban design

Received sixteen (16) responses.

• Various comments were received regarding improving traffic flow in the city. This included recommending improvements to certain roads and incorporating roundabouts as a traffic calming measure. Other comments encourage bike lanes and other forms of active and/or electric transportation.
• One comment expressed the need for protecting and enhancing the city’s urban canopy and city gardens.
• Some comments expressed the need for more trash containers in green space and public areas.
• Other comments expressed the need to improve safety and clean up areas of the downtown.
• Other comments regarding greenspaces were related to:
  • Expanding the waterfront path across Moira River
  • Creating new parks/entertainment areas.
• Another comment expressed the need for improving infrastructure facades such as repainting the city bridges.
• One comment highlighted the need for more affordable rent to revive the downtown/High Street.