County information sessions give residents chance to review growth plan

By Ian McInroy, Barrie Examiner

Simcoe County wants residents to know more about its Official Plan (OP) and how it will affect them.

To that end, the county is hosting two public information sessions on the status and approval process of its OP on Monday, April 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Simcoe County Museum.

The first half-hour of each session will feature an informal open house with display boards outlining the county’s OP approval process, as well as information and considerations that go into the development of such a wide-ranging document. A question-and-answer period and presentations will follow.

The OP — which must be in conformity with provincial legislation and policy — provides overall direction on land-use planning and development matters in the county. Once approved, local municipalities will use it to bring their own local OPs into conformity on matters such as growth, sustainable transportation and infrastructure, environmental protection and resource conservation.

Area residents should be aware of the OP and its implications, according to David Parks, the county’s director of planning, development and tourism

“It’s very important for the public to be engaged in the Official Plan process because it affects our daily lives. It provides a strong vision for growth and sustainability to 2031,” he said. “The Official Plan is based on the principles of protecting the natural environment and agricultural lands, and building healthy communities with a variety of housing options.

“It will also place an emphasis on increasing travel options for county residents while building and maintaining a strong economy.”

It’s been a long road for the county’s OOP, an updated version of which was first adopted by county council in 2008 in accordance with policy of the day.

In 2009, the county appealed the lack of decision of the Official Plan by the province to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and since then, approximately 100 other groups or individuals joined the hearing process as either appellant parties, parties or participants.

Between 2009 and 2012, a number of changes were required to the county’s OP in order to conform to emerging provincial legislation such as the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and Growth Plan Amendment 1 (for the Simcoe Sub-Area). The county invited public comment during the summer of 2012 on the Modified Official Plan and it was was endorsed by county council in 2013.

The OMB hearing commenced in March 2013 and has been ongoing. Of the 489 polices in the county OP, 352 have been approved by the Ontario Municipal Board.

“As the Official Plan is currently under appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board, residents should be advised that the information sessions will be for information only,” Parks said. “The County of Simcoe has no jurisdiction to reconsider matters that have been determined by — or are before — the Ontario Municipal Board. However, public consultation has been important to this process.”

That consultation has included five public open houses and two statutory public meetings in 2008, First Nations consultations in 2008 and 2010, numerous individual meetings as requested and a two-month public comment period on the proposed modified OP prior to county council’s endorsement in January 2013.

The information sessions will outline what sections of the OP have been approved by the OMB, what the timelines are for consideration of the remaining sections and summarize the responsibilities of the county, the province and the public when an official plan is appealed to the OMB.

“I know there are frustrations out there that it’s not moving quickly enough but we’ve been making strong headway,” Parks said. “One of the reasons we’re holding the (information sessions) is that it’s been a long process. We are moving the (OP process) forward but I think it’s slower than most people want. There’s no question about that, but we’re making good progress at the board (OMB).”

ian.mcinroy@sunmedia.ca

Highlights of the plan:

– Greenland-designated areas increased: the Official Plan increases the amount of natural heritage areas land protected from approximately 34% to 39%.

– Agriculture land better protected: The OP establishes a new specific agriculture designation that will now place stronger emphasis on the protection of farmland for the long term.

– Fixed settlement boundaries: The OP now establishes fixed boundaries for all settlement areas in the county. Changes to a settlement boundary will require both a county and local Official Plan amendment which will entail provincial approval.

– Density targets established: The OP now establishes density targets to ensure a greater utilization of existing settlement areas through intensification and in-filling to ensure there is less demand on settlement area expansions. Greater densities will also provide an opportunity for a variety of housing types and provide opportunities for transit.

– Strategic employment areas identified: Local municipalities can begin to work to facilitate activity on the employment land to create jobs and economic opportunities. Land has been designated in Innisfil, Bradford, around the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport and in the Rama corridor.

– More options for transportation: The OP establishes policy to encourage and study a variety of transportation options for county residents including: transit, bikes lanes and trails.

– Strong economy: The OP establishes employment policies and areas to ensure a strong prosperous and diverse economy for the county.

Source: County of Simcoe