Official Plan Review
The Township has retained the services of MHBC Planning Consultants to complete a 5 year review of the Official Plan. The review is aimed at bringing the Official Plan into compliance with various Provincial and County legislation and policies and to consolidate any approved amendments.
What is an Official Plan?
An Official Plan is a planning policy document that establishes goals, objectives, land use designations and land use policies for these designations to manage and direct development and land uses throughout the Township. Official Plans outline what is generally permitted within the land use designations and includes associated policies. Plans are generally viewed as “living documents” subject to amendment over time. Official Plans are reviewed on a regular basis.
Why do you need an Official Plan?
Official Plans provide an effective means by which to inform the public of how their land can be used and what the municipality has deemed to be most appropriate in terms of land use designation. Official Plans are used as a tool to ensure appropriate uses of land are promoted in the Township based on the principles of good planning, and Provincial, County and Township policies. The Plan also helps to guide in the effective provision of infrastructure, and establishes a set of local regulations and standards to guide site specific development.
Why does the Official Plan need to be reviewed?
The Planning Act requires municipalities to review their Official Plans no less than every five years.
Over the course of the last decade, the Province has increased its commitment to good planning. This includes revisions to the Provincial Policy Statement (2005) and the institution of a new planning policy entitled “Places to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2006” among other initiatives. All municipal Official Plans are to be consistent with and conform to these provincial policies.
Similarly, the Planning Act, which forms the regulatory environment for Planning, has been amended. The changes to the Act have implications for the Township’s Official Plan.
The County of Simcoe has also updated their Official Plan. The Township’s Plan is required to be consistent with this document. To date, County Council has adopted the new County Official Plan, although the Province has not yet approved this document.
What has the Township of Tiny done so far?
To date, a Draft Official Plan Document has been prepared and presented to the public at an Open House held on June 27, 2009. This document has incorporated policies from various pieces of Provincial legislation, as well as the County's new Official Plan. The Draft Official Plan Document is available below for review, or can be viewed at the Township office.
Next Steps?
A public meeting will be announced to formally present the draft Official Plan to the public and seek further comment. It is to be noted that the Official Plan review process in on hold until the Province approves the County of Simcoe Official Plan.
A comment sheet is provided below for your use. Comments on suggested changes to the existing Official Plan or the new Plan are appropriate and can be forwarded to Doug Clerk, CAO/Clerk (dluker@tiny.ca) at:
130 Balm Beach Road West
RR #1, Perkinsfield, Ontario
L0L 2J0
For further information, please contact Shawn Persaud, Planner (spersaud@tiny.ca) at (705) 526-4204.
OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW COMMENT FORM
BACKGROUND REPORT - NOVEMBER 24, 2008
DRAFT OFFICIAL PLAN - JUNE 7, 2009
OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION - JUNE 27, 2009
PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL - JUNE 29, 2009
Printer Friendly