St. Paul North Area Structure Plan Progress Update

By Emma Schreiner Vonk | April 15, 2026

Next Steps Revisions, added April 29, 2026

In Fall 2021, the Town of St. Paul, County of St. Paul, and ISL Engineering kicked off development of an Intermunicipal Area Structure Plan (IASP). The project’s first phase began by launching a website and reaching out to Plan area landowners, neighbouring property owners, and referral agencies. They also reviewed background information and started gathering input from landowners and interested parties in the Plan area.

Four rounds of engagement have been held using one-on-one interviews, surveys, administrative committee workshops, a public open house and two public hearings. During the Public Hearings in February 2025 to adopt the St. Paul North Area Structure Plan, landowners requested additional changes to the draft ASP, resulting in two text changes and several map changes to the ASP. The new map draft has been distributed to landowners for their review, and the IASP draft updates are almost complete.

Next Project Steps

  • May 2026 – The IASP will be brought to a joint Town and County Council meeting for discussion and to initiate the Plan adoption process.
  • May/June 2026 – The IASP will be presented to Town and County Council meetings in a bylaw for first reading. At this point, a date and time will be set for the required Public Hearings. A full engagement summary of the feedback received throughout the project will be included in the final draft IASP and will be made available on this website at least 2 weeks before the public hearings.
  • Following the Public Hearings, the Councils will meet to review the comments and submissions received and layout the next steps for adopting the plan.

Notice of the Public Hearings will be advertised in local news sources and the Town and County’s website/social media.

If you have any questions about the changes or public hearings, we welcome you to contact:

Gary Buchanan, RPP
Director of Planning & Development
[email protected]

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Engagement and Communication History

Phase 1 Engagement (2021-22)

During the first phase of engagement, the main goal was to identify concerns, challenges, and suggestions that could help guide the development of the land use concept for the Plan area.

Landowners in the Plan area and key interested parties were invited to take part in one-on-one interviews. The project team also made a community survey available online so residents could share their thoughts and ideas about the project. The online survey was available from December 6-20, 2021, for all Plan area landowners and Town and County residents. The survey was promoted through the Town and County websites and social media channels, and 43 submissions were received.

Phase 1 Key Themes Summary

  • Will County lands be annexed and if water and sanitary services are provided?
  • Businesses have moved to the County because of lower taxes and lands available for growth
  • Concerns about loss of agricultural lands, traffic and road capacity
  • Impacts, taxes, stormwater management, and increased crime
  • Upgrades are needed for Range Road 94 (gravel to pavement)
  • Lands north of Township Road 582 should remain as residential or agricultural
  • Opportunities for new recreation opportunities such as trails, outdoor facilities, and tourism should be provided
  • Development should occur in clusters:
    • Agricultural in the northeast,
    • Residential in the west and south, and
    • Industrial or commercial around Highway 881, as well as Range Road 95A and Township Road 582
  • Residential development should include options for large lots, multi-family, or seniors housing
  • Landscaping and façade treatments should be required for new development
  • Town cemetery could be expanded within the Plan area

Phase 2 Engagement (2022-23)

The purpose of Phase 2 was to share the proposed future land use concept with Plan area landowners to gather their perspectives. An invite to participate in an interview was sent to landowners. One landowner requested an interview, which was held in June 2022, and considered the proposed future land uses for their lands.

Phase 2 Key Themes Summary

  • The landowner was supportive of the proposed future land use concept, with the understanding that changes can be made, if needed, to reflect future demand and market changes.

Phase 3 Engagement (2023-24)

In Phase 3, the revised future land use concept and draft IASP policies were shared with Plan area landowners and community for further feedback, through a drop-in community open house and an online survey.

The open house was held in May 2023 and the survey was available from May 24-June 14, 2023. The open house and survey were promoted through the Town and County websites and social media channels. Approximately 20 participants attended the open house, and 9 survey responses were received. Landowners and residents were also encouraged to contact the Town or County for additional information.

Phase 3 Key Themes Summary

  • Concerns about the scale of the Plan area and questions about the need to expand the Town’s residential and industrial footprint (i.e., there are currently many vacant residential and industrial lots)
  • Planning for the east and west parts of St. Paul (outside of the Plan area) should be considered
  • Support for new housing options, especially for seniors
  • Concerns about the cost to extend infrastructure into this area; respondents said it makes more sense to develop where there is existing infrastructure
  • Support for a new multi-purpose recreation facility, opportunities for green space, and additional commercial opportunities
  • Concern about moving forward with the Plan and whether residents were sufficiently engaged
  • Development could lead to increased traffic, noise, and crime
  • Would like to see development occur sooner

Phase 4 Engagement (2025-26)

February 24/25, 2025 , Public Hearing – Held at a Town and County Council meeting. A motion was passed to table the draft IASP bylaw to allow further engagement with interested parties.

February-September 2025, Engagement Meetings – Additional feedback was heard from landowners and interested parties, resulting in two text and several map changes to the ASP.

September 2025, Letter to Landowners – Landowners were notified of the text changes and revised IASP map.

March 2026, Letter to Landowners – A follow-up was sent regarding the text changes and revised IASP map.

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