Planning Policies & Guidelines
Interim Municipal Support Resolution Protocol
Contact Us
For any questions or additional information contact
Scott Turnbull
Planner II, Planning and Economic Development
Email [email protected]
Note: The first window of the Provincial LT2 Capacity and Energy Generation procurements has now closed. Staff anticipate that the IESO will release details on the second window shortly. Proponents planning to submit a proposal under the second LT2 window are encouraged to contact staff as early as possible to discuss their project.
Early engagement will help ensure there is sufficient time to complete the requirements of the interim municipal support resolution protocol.
The City of Hamilton’s Interim Municipal Support Resolution Protocol establishes a formal process to receive and evaluate Municipal Support Resolution requests related to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) procurement of energy storage projects.
Municipal Support Resolutions
As part of the IESO procurement process, proponents must demonstrate municipal support for their bid by obtaining a Municipal Support Resolution from the local municipality.
A Municipal Support Resolution is made by or on behalf of a municipality to demonstrate support solely for the narrow purposes of the provincial procurement. Its sole purpose is to satisfy the requirements of the Long-Term 2 Capacity Request for Proposals (LT2(c-1) RFP). It does not exempt energy storage projects from applicable environmental or land-use approvals, such as official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, or site plan approvals. If a project receives a Municipal Support Resolution but does not meet Provincial or Municipal laws and regulations, the project would not be permitted to move forward.
At the July 29, 2025, Planning Committee meeting, draft official plan amendments were presented that would, among other matters, require all energy storage projects within the City of Hamilton to undergo a site-specific zoning by-law amendment to establish suitable locations and site-specific performance standards for each property and facility.
A future public meeting will be scheduled to consider the draft amendments.
Municipal Support Resolution Request Protocol
On August 6, 2025 Council adopted an Interim Energy Storage Municipal Support Resolution Protocol, along with the associated Municipal Support Resolution Request Form (hyper link new request form attached to airtable request), for use in future windows of the IESO’s LT2 Procurement.
A summary of the Municipal Support Resolution Request Process is outlined below.
- Preliminary Discussion with City Staff Regarding Proposal and Protocol Process (Contingent on Applicant)
- Neighbourhood Engagement Occurs in Accordance with Section 2.3 of the Municipal Support Resolution Protocol (Contingent on Applicant)
- Municipal Support Resolution Request Form and Required Information Submitted (Contingent on Applicant)
- Municipal Support Resolution Request Form and Supporting Materials Circulated for Staff Review and Comment (21 Days)
- Report Prepared By Staff (Approximately 70 days)
- Report Considered by Planning Committee (1 Day)
- Planning Committee Report Considered by City Council (Approximately 1 Week Following Planning Committee)
- If Approved, Municipal Support Resolution is Signed and Issued
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