Aylmer Settlement Area Boundary Expansion: Frequently Asked Questions
The Town of Aylmer will hold a second (in-person only) public engagement session on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Additional information relating to the settlement area boundary expansion can be found online at www.aylmer.ca/boundary-expansion.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY A BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
Population and growth studies undertaken by both Elgin County and the Town of Aylmer have identified insufficient lands within Aylmer to accommodate anticipated growth for the next 25–30-year period.
WHAT IS THE SCALE OF THE POTENTIAL CHANGE
The minimum lands to meet the projected residential growth for the Town of Aylmer over is approximately 100 acres. Aylmer Council may propose a larger amount of lands in order to plan for growth over a longer horizon.
The potential size of land required makes this as one of the smaller boundary adjustments that has been considered within the province in recent years.
IS THIS A ‘LAND GRAB’
Boundary adjustments are not ‘land grabs’. The Town of Aylmer is not purchasing any properties. Ownership of any lands brought into the Town’s Boundaries remains unchanged. This is a change to only what municipality the land resides in.
The minimum lands to meet the projected growth for the Town of Aylmer is approximately 100 acres.
WHAT OTHER OPTIONS EXISTS
The Town of Aylmer’s small geographic footprint is uncommon in Ontario. The Town has pursued intensification and additional residential unit development. Such initiatives assist but are not adequate to address growth.
The amount of vacant available lands in Aylmer has decreased. Development on most available residential lands is either underway or in the planning phase. To ensure sufficient planning occurs for the future municipalities are required by the province to develop plans that address growth for a minimum timeframe of 25-years. This longer-term planning horizon is critical for municipalities to appropriately meet the needs of their communities.
There are no other clear options for Elgin County and the Town of Aylmer to address the projected growth for the Town of Aylmer.
IS THIS WHAT HAPPENED IN CENTRAL ELGIN
No. The Province of Ontario directly intervened and ordered a transfer of land between two municipalities. The process and the negotiations and outcomes that were followed as unique and were directly related to the provincial and federal investments in the Power Co. economic opportunity.
WHY WOULD THERE BE A BENEFIT TO LANDS BEING IN AYLMER
The Town of Aylmer can provide a mix of housing and economic opportunities close to amenities.
As the Town has full servicing and can facilitate housing options that have higher intensification. This intensification is important for the preservation of farmland in Elgin County. This is because growth to support projected population growth can occur with less land being utilized.
Growth in Aylmer is important to broader regional economic development. In a recent Economic Development survey conducted by Elgin County local businesses noted housing and affordable rents as a high priority for recruiting and retaining employees.
Aylmer has affordable water and wastewater rates, and our fire protection services may also result in insurance savings to lands incorporated into our boundaries.
The Town of Aylmer can provide integrated communities with a high quality of access and livability. New growth would create neighbourhoods that link directly to our sidewalk, trail, and parks system and are close to amenities and shops.
WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF NOT PROCEEDING
Elgin County and the Town of Aylmer have identified a lack of available land for the anticipated growth to occur in Aylmer. It is important for all communities to address growth and housing proactively to address the on-going housing crisis.
The growth anticipated through a boundary expansion is unlikely to represent a solution to the housing crisis locally and may just achieve stability in housing and rental costs. Failure to undertake a boundary adjustment and growth planning would make the housing crisis significantly worse in East Elgin. This in turn would have negative impacts upon local employers.