Corridor Study - Bell Boulevard and North Front Street

About the Project

The purpose of the Corridor Study is to provide a detailed analysis that reviews and integrates planning, urban design, engineering due diligence (water, sewer, storm), and ecological due diligence of the study area. Fotenn Planning & Design have been awarded the contract to undergo the Bell Boulevard and North Front Street Corridor Study.   

The goal of the Corridor Study is to understand the specific needs and opportunities in the study area and establish a framework that gives the City direction with regard to its current and future development as a mixed use corridor. This direction will contribute to the overall planning vision for the City by helping to meet Official Plan (OP) objectives, and will help Belleville make well-informed decisions related to the development of the Bell Boulevard/North Front Street corridor.

Project Overview and Timelines

Below are the four phases of the project with their estimated timelines.

Phase 1 – Project commencement and background review

Timeline: Fall 2021

• City Staff met with the consultant team and confirmed the study area, identified and delineated preliminary sub-areas, and provided data and relevant background information for the Study area.

Phase 2 – Inventory of existing conditions

Timeline: Fall 2021 to Winter 2022

• The consultants reviewed the current conditions of the Study area, as well as data provided, and conducted a site visit of the area to summarize their findings.

Phase 3 – Options for development

Timeline: Winter 2022 to Fall 2022

• The consultants reviewed the anticipated future conditions for the study area and presented the findings from Phase 1 and 2 a Public Information Meeting, held on April 5, 2022, and through a survey, where feedback was received from the public (refer to Public Engagement Section for further information).
• Conceptual development options were prepared for the corridor based on feedback.
• Conceptual development options and a public realm framework were presented to the public for feedback at a Public Information Meeting on September 29,,2022, and through a survey, to identify a preferred development option (refer to Public Engagement Section for further information).

Phase 4 – Strategic Framework (Current Phase)

Timeline: Spring 2022-Present

• The consultants drafted a Corridor Plan based on the preferred conceptual development.
• Conceptual development options were reviewed against Transportation and Servicing studies which were completed by TYLin in late 2024 and early 2025, as well as reviewed against the latest Provincial Planning Statement and ongoing legislative updates.
• The draft Corridor Plan will include recommended policy directions, along with draft urban design guidelines, and an implementation and phasing strategy. This Plan will form the basis for the preparation of an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to incorporate the vision and directions of the Corridor Plan into the Official Plan, which will guide future development within these areas.

Public Engagement

Public engagements will be held throughout the process of the creation of the Corridor Plan.

  Land Use Survey - Now Closed

A land use survey is available for members of the public to provide input on draft land use options for these important areas of our city. Input collected will be used to inform the development of a preferred land use concept and future policies for the areas. 

Responses will be collected until November 7th, 2022.

Public Information Meeting • Thursday, September 29, 2022

The purpose of the meeting was to receive feedback on the project including the proposed land use option and public realm framework and facilitate a working session to learn about your thoughts and preferences for the area.

• Notice of Public Information Meeting

Request a copy of the PIC meeting Material and the Public Engagement Summary (seen below) of the 29th Public Information Centre, presented by the Consultant.

• Public Information Presentation
• Public Information Panel
• Public Engagement Summary

Virtual Public Information Meeting • Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The purpose of the virtual meeting was to receive public input on the Corridor Study for Bell Boulevard and North Front Street.

• Virtual Public Information Notice
• Slide Deck Meeting Presentation
• A recording of the presentation can be found at youtube.com/bellevillecityhall.

Visioning Survey

A visioning survey was posted until May 6th to receive input on current conditions and the future of these key commercial areas of our city. Input collected will be used to inform the vision and future policies for the area. 

• Public Engagement Summary provides a summary of input received through Public Information Centre #1 and the visioning survey.

Request a copy of all the April 5, 2022 - PIC Meeting Material (noted above)

Latest Updates and Next Steps

Phase Update

• Phases 1-3 of the Corridor Plan development have been completed.
• Currently the project is in Phase 4 (Strategic Framework).

Next Steps

• The draft Corridor Plan and supporting transportation and servicing studies are expected to be made available to the public for review in April 2025.
• The accompanying OPA will be brought forward in conjunction with the Secondary Plan Update OPA for the Loyalist (West Belleville) Secondary Plan. Public consultation is expected to take place in late Spring of 2025.

Request a copy of the pap showing boundary lines for the project highlighting a portion of North Front Street between Bell Boulevard and the rail line.