Photo by B. Shakyaver
The Municipality of Bluewater is moving ahead with a five-year review of its Official Plan and is inviting residents to share their thoughts before council makes a decision.
After months of community consultation and updates to planning policies and maps, Bluewater council has scheduled a public meeting to gather feedback on a proposed official plan amendment. The meeting will take place on Monday, March 2nd, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bluewater Council Chambers at 38594 Mill Road in Varna.
The review looks at several proposed changes to the Official Plan. These include planning for future growth, updating policies to match current provincial planning rules, and making sure the document aligns with the Huron County Official Plan. The amendment also proposes updated maps for settlement areas, farmland, and natural spaces. Other changes include adding a Land Acknowledgement statement and providing guidance for energy projects on agricultural land.
If the amendment is approved, the changes will become part of the Official Plan. A second draft of the document will be posted on the municipality’s official plan review webpage before the public meeting. Residents can also view a copy of the proposed amendment in person at the municipal office at 14 Mill Avenue in Zurich during regular business hours.
Anyone can attend the public meeting or share comments either in support of or in opposition to the proposed changes. Written comments are encouraged and should be submitted by February 25, 2026. Residents can send feedback by email, by mail to the Municipality of Bluewater, or by contacting municipal planning staff by phone. People may also speak during the public meeting, either in person or electronically, although in-person attendance is encouraged.
The meeting will be livestreamed on the Municipality of Bluewater’s YouTube channel where possible. Residents who wish to take part electronically must contact municipal staff by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
The municipality notes that all comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record and may be shared in council documents and planning reports.