Planning Framework Approved for Central Avenue Development Lands

On September 15, 2026, Thunder Bay City Council:

• Adopted Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 24 for City-owned lands within the project area;
  
• Passed Zoning By-law Amendment 337-2026 for City-owned lands within the project area;
  
• Approved a Draft Plan of Subdivision for City-owned lands within the project area;
  
• Adopted Official Plan Amendment 25 for the privately owned properties at 920 Central Avenue and 920 Cochrane Street; and
  
• Passed Zoning By-law Amendment 339-2026 for privately owned lands within the project area.

Purpose of the Approvals

Together, these planning approvals establish the policy framework, zoning, and subdivision layout needed to support the development of the Central Avenue Development Lands as a complete urban neighbourhood. The amendments introduce residential, community, and neighbourhood commercial land use designations and corresponding zoning permissions, including Urban Low-rise, Urban Mid-rise, Neighbourhood Commercial and Community uses, as well as site-specific and holding provisions where required.

View the approved Official Plan Map, Zoning Map, and Draft Plan of Subdivision.

Appeal Information

The decisions of Council will become final unless a notice of appeal is received on or before October 12, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

Appeals must be filed through the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) e-file portal. First-time users must register for a My Ontario Account and select the City of Thunder Bay as the approval authority. The appeal must include the reasons for the appeal and the required OLT fee. 

If the OLT e-file portal is unavailable, appeals may be emailed to the City Clerk's office using the A1 Appeal Form available through the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Additional Information

All comments received were considered as part of Council's decision-making process. Council determined that the applications are consistent with applicable planning legislation and represent good planning.

Copies of the adopted amendments, zoning by-laws, subdivision approval documents, and related materials are available for inspection through the City Clerk's Office at City Hall during regular business hours. Please call (807) 625-2230 for more information or to make an appointment.

For more information please visit the Get Involved website. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about this notice or require accessible accommodations or materials, please contact Planning Services.

Right to appeal

Please note that the rights of third parties to appeal decisions to the Ontario Land Tribunal have been restricted under the Planning Act. Only the applicant, the Minister, specified persons, public bodies, and registered owners of lands to which the by-law, official plan amendment, or draft plan of subdivision apply and who make oral submissions at the public meeting or written submissions to the City before the by-law is passed, official plan amendment is adopted, or draft plan of subdivision is approved, will be able to appeal the decision of the City of Thunder Bay to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the City of Thunder Bay to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Thunder Bay before the by-law is passed, official plan amendment is adopted, or draft plan of subdivision is approved, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the City of Thunder Bay before the by-law is passed, official plan amendment is adopted, or draft plan of subdivision is approved, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.