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Central Elgin Council has approved the Hospital Lands Official Plan Amendment (OPA), marking a significant milestone in the long-term planning and development of the Hospital Lands.
The Hospital Lands OPA establishes a long-term vision and policy framework to guide future development and transform approximately 370 acres of underutilized land into a vibrant, complete community that will support residents, businesses, and the long-term future of Central Elgin.
“The hospital lands represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Central Elgin,” said Mayor Andrew Sloan. “This is the only time in our Municipality’s history that we have been able to plan an entirely new community of this scale. This project is about more than accommodating growth and financial stability. It provides the opportunity to support a broader range of housing options, including affordable, accessible, and mixed-use development.”
The OPA provides a comprehensive and implementable policy framework to guide the long-term development of the Hospital Lands. It establishes land use designations and permissions, and includes policies related to housing mix and density, transportation, servicing, parks and public spaces, cultural heritage and archaeology, and sustainability. It also supports phased and coordinated development, identifies the role of future zoning, subdivision, and site plan approvals, and outlines required studies and agreements to support development applications.
Together, these policies provide clarity, predictability, and flexibility as the lands are developed over time, while maintaining appropriate oversight through future statutory approvals.
“I’m pleased to see Central Elgin taking this important step to plan for future growth in a thoughtful and coordinated way,” said Rob Flack, MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “By establishing a clear vision for the Hospital Lands, the municipality is creating the conditions to support a diverse mix of housing, attract investment, and build a complete community with the services and infrastructure people need to thrive both today and in the years ahead.”
OPA Development and Consultation Process
Work to develop the OPA began in early 2025 with Council’s adoption of the Vision and Guiding Principles, establishing a clear foundation for future planning.
Guided by this framework, the project team developed the Draft Policy Directions and Land Use Map. In September 2025, Council approved these materials for public and stakeholder consultation, inviting community members to share feedback and help shape the future of the Hospital Lands.
Following the first round of engagement, Council endorsed the Policy Directions and Land Use Map in February 2026 and directed the project team to undertake a second round of community and stakeholder consultation, which took place between January and April 2026.
The Municipality thanks all community members and stakeholders who participated in the consultation process. Feedback received helped refine policy directions, adjust the land use plan, and strengthen the overall planning framework, ensuring the OPA reflects the perspectives and priorities shared by the community. A summary of engagement activities and feedback is available on the project website.
“This milestone reflects the meaningful input we’ve received from our community throughout this process,” added Mayor Andrew Sloan. “We appreciate the time and insight shared by residents, which has helped ensure this plan supports a complete, inclusive, and sustainable community for years to come.”
With Council’s formal adoption, the Municipality will advance the OPA to Elgin County for approval.
At the same time, the Municipality has launched a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify potential development partners to help deliver a complete community. The RFP is open until Monday, May 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Interested proponents can access the RFP documents through the Municipality’s Bids & Tenders portal.
Last week, Council also endorsed the preferred water and wastewater servicing strategies identified in the Hospital Lands Feasibility Study, marking an important step toward supporting future development. Staff have been directed to initiate an RFP for the design and construction of key water infrastructure, including a booster pumping station, a trunk watermain connection to the Elgin Area Primary Supply Line, and a water storage facility.
Council’s adoption of the OPA enables the Municipality to advance subsequent planning approvals and support timely development of the lands in alignment with anticipated growth in the region.
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