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: October 2021 to November 2021

• City Staff will meet with the consultant to confirm the study area, identify and delineate preliminary sub-areas, and provide data or relevant background information for the Study area.

Phase 2 – Inventory of existing conditions

Timeline: November 2021 to February 2022

• The consultants will review the current conditions of the Study area by reviewing the data provided and conducting a site visit of the area in order to summarize their findings regarding the area.

Phase 3 – Options for development

Timeline: January 2022 to Summer 2024

• The consultants will review the anticipated future conditions for the study area and receive feedback from the public through a public engagement where they will present the findings from Phase 1 and 2.
• Conceptual development options will be prepared for the corridor.
• Conceptual development options will be presented to the public for feedback and to identify a preferred development option.

Phase 4 – Strategic Framework

Timeline: anticipated to be completed by Fall 2024

• The consultant will draft a Corridor Plan based on the preferred conceptual development.
• The Corridor Plan will also include recommended policies, which will form the basis for Fotenn's preparation of an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) to incorporate the Corridor Plan into the Official Plan. 
• An implementation and phasing strategy that will guide the future development of the corridor will also be prepared by the Consultant.

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

• Public Engagement Summary provides a summary of input received through the September 29th Public Information Centre.

• Phase 1-3 of the Corridor Plan development have been completed.

• Currently in Phase 4 of the Study, the Project Team will consider background studies, data, and public input received in drafting a Corridor Plan identifying recommended land uses and policies.

Next Steps

• The Plan is expected to be presented to Council and the Public for feedback and final approval in late 2024. 

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.