Municipal, Planning & EnvironmentalSimcoe Sub-Area AmendmentPublished: 01/23/2012 By James Ayres, Brent Duguid, Signe Leisk, Carlton Thorne, Melissa Winch Effective January 19, 2012, the Ontario Government amended the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006, to bring into effect a revised Amendment 1, which applies to the County of Simcoe and the Cities of Barrie and Orillia. The amendment is contained in Chapter 6 of the updated Growth Plan and was developed after extensive public consultation and participation with Simcoe-area municipalities and local developers involving the Provincial Development Facilitator. Although policies related to growth forecasts and employment areas remain largely unchanged from the original Proposed Amendment, significant changes have been made providing greater flexibility for approval of developments in settlement areas. Most notably, the policies in Proposed Amendment 1 for land needs analysis and delineation of an interim settlement area boundary have been removed. Primary Settlement Areas, formerly urban nodes, have been expanded to now include Alcona. The policies in section 6 of Amendment 1 direct a significant portion of growth to Primary Settlement Areas in communities where development can most effectively be serviced. The policies in Proposed Amendment 1 relating to employment lands remain unchanged however Amendment 1 now provides that Simcoe sub-area municipalities may request the Minister consider a review of location and boundaries, and the appropriate uses in a strategic settlement employment area or economic employment district. To address the transition, Regulation 311/06 has been amended to provide that where a matter under the Planning Act or Condominium Act, 1998 is in-process and awaiting a decision as of January 19, 2012:
For further information on Amendment 1 and how it applies to your specific situation, please contact our Municipal, Planning & Environmental Law Group: Signe Leisk - sleisk@casselsbrock.com |