The Town of Amherstburg council in Ontario has amended its 2026 meeting calendar to add two special planning sessions to address a backlog of zoning and development applications and to advance the town’s Official Plan and housing targets. The extra sessions are set for February 23, 2026, and March 9, 2026, starting at 5:00 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers at 271 Sandwich Street South and will be available via the Town’s livestream.
The meetings are intended to help finalize the Official Plan and to assist the Town in meeting its Housing Production Plan targets (the municipality has been working toward producing roughly 700–900 units by 2030). The Official Plan is a long-term growth plan that will guide development over the coming decades. The March 9 session includes an in‑camera (confidential) component — permitted under the Municipal Act for matters such as land negotiations or litigation — followed by a public meeting.
These planning sessions are important because they cover zoning and land‑use decisions that can change the character of neighbourhoods. One item that may be discussed is the future of the Belle Vue property; local reporting (including the Windsor Star) has recently covered proposals for a hotel/convention‑type facility and associated development on that site. Financial context for town projects and services is available in the Town’s 2026 budget documents.
Residents who want to speak about new developments or property changes can apply to delegate at a Council meeting (the Town’s delegation policy asks speakers to register in advance and to provide written materials to the Clerk). Written submissions are also accepted if residents cannot attend. Council has said these additional sessions are being used to clear a backlog of applications and to ensure decisions align with the Town’s housing targets and applicable provincial planning policies and requirements.
