Key planning initiatives in Vankleek Hill remain on hold, with little progress reported on both a proposed heritage inventory and discussions surrounding vacant land on Derby Avenue.
According to the Township’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kevin Tessier, the municipality has yet to take a formal position on the undeveloped Derby Avenue property, which remains vacant.
Meanwhile, work on the heritage inventory has stalled entirely. Tessier said the project has not progressed due to the Township’s lack of a permanent urban planner between September 2023 and October 2025.
At the Township’s March 26 council meeting, no updates were provided on either the Derby Avenue land or the heritage inventory, further highlighting the lack of movement on these projects.
Champlain’s most recent Planning Report from February provides further context, noting several zoning amendments, severances, and subdivision plans in Vankleek Hill, but containing no active entries for the Derby Avenue plot. Additionally, the report notes the creation of a heritage advisory committee and presentation of a final report in 2023, but no updates indicate progress on the inventory itself. This means developers are likely to face further delays until staffing and planning priorities are addressed.
A heritage inventory is typically used to identify and evaluate buildings and sites of historical or cultural significance, often serving as a foundation for future preservation efforts and planning decisions.
