The Township’s Official Plan was approved in April, 2004. The Ontario Planning Act requires that municipal Official Plans be reviewed every five years. The Township will be holding public consultations throughout 2009 to solicit input on the existing Official Plan and proposed changes to the Official Plan.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs Citizen Guide Series: www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page338.aspx
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing offers a citizens' guide to land-use planning.
Provincial Policy Statement: www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page215.aspx
The 2005 Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) is a companion policy document to The Planning Act providing direction on planning from a provincial perspective. All planning decisions in Ontario must be consistent with the PPS.
Why is the Township updating its Official Plan?
The Ontario Planning Act requires all municipal Official Plans to be updated every five years. The existing Official Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs in April, 2004.
What does an update consist of?
At a minimum the Planning Act requires that a five year update bring the Official Plan into conformity with all Provincial Plans and the Provincial Policy Statement. Township Council has resolved that this update will build off the existing Official Plan and will not entail a new Official Plan.
How will the public be consulted?
Council has endorsed a public consultation strategy which includes public open houses, an Official Plan meeting, meetings with groups, meetings with Provincial Ministries and solicitation of individual comments. Public open houses will be held in the spring and summer culminating with a public meeting in August. Drafts will be available for comment prior to the public meeting. Individual groups are encouraged to contact a staff planner to provide their input.
Where can I found out more about individual planning issues?
The Township has produced a series of Information Sheets on major issues that are expected to arise during the review of the Official Plan. The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) can be viewed at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs website. The Township is obligated to ensure the Official Plan conforms to this PPS . Detailed information about elements within the PPS such as Prime Agricultural Land restrictions, or Provincially Significant Wetlands can be found at individual Ministry websites or by contacting the regional office of each Ministry. Township staff can also be contacted directly to discuss issues or provide clarification on issues.
What is the approval process?
The Township Planning Advisory Committee (consisting of 6 councilors) will work with Township staff to develop a draft document for public review. At least one official Public Meeting is required to be held. Following the public meeting the Planning Advisory Committee will make any required changes and forward the document to Council. Once adopted by Council the Official Plan is forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for approval. The Ministry can approve the Plan as submitted or amend the Plan at its discretion to ensure it conforms to Provincial planning policy.
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of the Official Plan update?
Once the decision to approve the document is made by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs is made, there will be a 20 day appeal period at which time anyone who requested a copy of the decision or made written or oral comments at the public meeting will be eligible to appeal the decision. The appeal is made to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Council has endorsed a consultation strategy which will include public open houses, public meetings, meetings with interested groups, meetings with Provincial Ministries, and solicitation of feedback from individual residents. It is the Township’s intent to hold the public open houses during late spring and summer with a public meeting in August. A full schedule will be posted as soon as the dates are determined.
Township staff are available to make presentations on the update to interested groups. To schedule such a presentation please contact Township planning staff directly.
Two public open houses to take comments on revisions to be made to the Official Plan, review the Official Plan with Township officials, and review Provincially recommended changes to the Official Plan schedules (maps) will be held as follows:
Monday August 10, 2009 at 6:00pm to 8:00pm – South Elmsley Municipal Complex, 441 Hwy 15
Tuesday August 18, 2009 at 6:00pm to 8:00pm – North Crosby Community Hall, 8th Concession Rd
The Planning Advisory Committee of the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes will hold two public meetings to take comments upon the need to undertake revisions to the Official Plan as follows:
Saturday August 22, 2009 at 6:00pm – Elgin Municipal Complex, Main Street, Elgin
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 6:00pm – Portland Hall, 24 Water Street, Portland
Township staff are available to meet with residents or interested groups regarding the Official Plan update. Appointments can be scheduled or comments submitted at any time to:
Township of Rideau Lakes, 1439 County Road 8, Delta, ON, K0E 1G0
email: info@twprideaulakes.on.ca
For general inquiries, administration, planning, public works, parks & rec, and fire department: Tel: 613-928-2251 or 1-800-928-2250 - Fax: 613-928-3097
For the tax office: Tel: 613-928-2896 or 1-866-677-4577
