Final Report

On April 17, Council received the final report assessing our housing needs and potential for projected growth, and were presented recommendations on next steps.

The full report can be found here or in the documents tab on the right.

Demographic & Growth

Since 2021, population has grown 2.7% per year. At the same time, our Municipality is aging with 30.6% of the population over the age of 65 and projected to rise to 35% by 2031. Housing is increasingly unaffordable. There are opportunities available to increase the local workforce, including in-migration and better accessing people who currently commute to other areas for work.

Growth projection scenarios by 2046 range from low (12,032 people) to high (18,533 people) with corresponding housing unit needs from 614 (low) to 3,726 (high).

Public Engagement Highlights

Key themes heard from residents and partners:

  1. Support for a mix of housing types to support diverse needs.
  2. Invest in infrastructure (water, sewer, roads).
  3. Improve communication with residents.
  4. Attract and retain younger people.
  5. Preserve local character while growing.
  6. Ensure equitable access to services across MOC.


Business & Industry Feedback

  1. Low land costs, taxes, and zoning flexibility make MOC attractive for growth.
  2. Infrastructure investments spur local economic growth.
  3. Affordable housing providers need more predictable processes and financial tools.
  4. Land banking is a useful tool to support affordable housing. Land banking in this scenario refers to the Municipality purchasing land specifically for this use.


Planning & Zoning Insights

  1. Existing municipal policies allow up to 11-unit developments via site plan approval.
  2. Despite permissive zoning, missing middle housing is rarely built.
  3. Hamlet Areas (e.g., Chester Basin, New Ross, Hubbards) are well-suited for growth due to infrastructure and civic amenities.


Recommendations – 4 Pillars of Growth

1. Strategic Growth

  • Implement a Growth Plan Communication Strategy
  • Align Hamlet boundaries with sewer service.
  • Adopt a surplus land banking policy.
  • Establish growth targets for serviced areas.
  • Maintain sewer capacity within Hamlets.
  • Invest in potable water where sewer service expands.


2. Missing Middle Housing

  • Develop a design guideline document for Development Agreements and Comprehensive Development Areas
  • Introduce design requirements for Site Plan Approval in Hamlet Areas.
  • Increase the number of units permitted by site plan approval where water and sewer service is provided.


3. Complete Communities

  • Adopt a complete communities approach to public investments in Hamlet Areas.
  • Reduce commercial development barriers in Hamlet Areas.
  • Launch a façade improvement program for businesses.
  • Conduct streetscaping plans for Highways 3 and 12 in Hamlet Areas.
  • Explore housing development incentives.


4. Workforce Attraction & Retention

  • Promote MOC as a great place to live.
  • Partner with businesses to identify skills gaps, training needs, and programs to assist with succession planning.
  • Focus business attraction efforts in sectors that support population growth.
  • Form a workforce action group.
  • Promote youth employment and co-op opportunities.
  • Explore workforce programs for new immigrants.
  • Work with all levels of government to take advantage of programs and funding opportunities related to workforce development.


For information on the report, background information, and next steps as we move forward with implementing the recommendations, please continue to visit this public engagement website at https://www.engagechester.ca/charting-a-course-for-growth

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