Strategic planning is an important step for the Town of Sidney to set priorities, allocate limited financial and staff resources, guide the work of staff, and communicate to citizens. The plan is reviewed and updated by Council on an annual basis to monitor progress and update priorities as needed.
Following a strategic planning discussion held during a Committee of the Whole meeting on January 19, 2026, Council updated the Town of Sidney’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan during a Regular Council Meeting on January 26, 2026.
Newly added priorities include:
- Exploring options to establish an Emergency Weather Response Shelter at St. Andrew’s Church; and
- Establishing a Flood Construction Level Bylaw or revising the related policy.
Some ongoing priorities include, but are not limited to:
- Exploring the creation of a Tenant Protection Bylaw; and
- Advancing housing policies and initiatives, including non-market housing.
Examples of Strategies Priorities that have been completed from this Council’s originally adopted plan in 2022/2023, include:
- A comprehensive update to the Zoning Bylaw, followed by confirmation that the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw meet provincial requirements to support the forecasted 20-year housing demand;
- Completion of enhanced flood inundation modelling and mapping to assess flood risks and sea level rise along Sidney’s shoreline;
- Development of an Active Transportation Plan;
- Development of an Economic Development Plan;
- The return of the Sidney Street Market to Beacon Avenue;
- Construction of new waterfront washrooms and replacement of the Fourth Street washrooms;
- Redesign of the municipal website; and
- Completion of a Citizen Satisfaction Survey.