The City of Brantford will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., to consider a proposed City-initiated Official Plan Amendment (File No. OP-01-25) that would establish new policies governing the conversion of rental apartment buildings into condominiums.
The meeting, scheduled as part of the Committee of the Whole – Planning and Administration session at City Hall (58 Dalhousie Street), will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation. The changes would apply city-wide.
The proposed amendment seeks to add policy direction to the City’s Official Plan to guide decisions about future applications to convert existing rental housing with six or more units into condominium ownership. Key aspects of the proposed policy include:
- Supporting a 3% city-wide vacancy rate benchmark to help preserve rental housing supply;
- Requiring a Residential Housing Conversion Study when vacancy rates are below this threshold;
- Requiring a Building Assessment Report to evaluate the structural and safety condition of buildings proposed for conversion;
- Ensuring tenants are informed of their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act;
- Permitting conversions where units will remain or become affordable rental or attainable ownership housing.
The amendment also proposes changes to Section 3.1 and Section 9.3 of the Official Plan, adding new language to emphasize the importance of maintaining and protecting Brantford’s rental and affordable housing stock.
According to the City, the policy is intended to support informed decision-making while balancing housing choice, affordability, and tenant protections in a tight rental market.
A draft copy of the proposed amendment is available for public review beginning May 21, 2025, at the Customer Service Counter, 1st Floor, City Hall, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday). A staff report will be posted to the City’s website the Friday before the meeting and can also be requested from the Clerk’s office by email at clerks@brantford.ca.
Residents who wish to speak at the meeting virtually can register at calendar.brantford.ca/meetings. Telephone participants must pre-register by calling 519-759-4150. The meeting will also be livestreamed via the City of Brantford’s YouTube Channel.
Written comments or requests for further information may be directed to Miranda Ivany, Planner, Long Range Planning, at mivany@brantford.ca or by phone at 519-759-4150 ext. 5177.
To receive official notification of Council’s decision or to preserve appeal rights before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), members of the public must submit written or oral comments prior to or during the public meeting.
