Residential development on Bear Island Road requires road upgrades and environmental approvals
DRUMMOND/NORTH ELMSLEY — DNE council is moving forward with a zoning bylaw amendment tied to two previously approved land severances on Bear Island Road.
The amendment affects lands described as Part Lot 25, Lot 26 and the west half of Lot 27 in Concession 4 in the geographic Township of Drummond. The application is associated with consent files B25/055 and B25/056, approved by Lanark County in November 2025.
Planner Brady McGlade told the committee the amendment is required to implement conditions tied to those severances and to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place before any residential development occurs.
Part of the property will be rezoned from Rural (RU) to Rural Exception (RU-X), restricting the range of permitted uses to conservation, forestry, agriculture, hunting or fishing camps, and intensive agriculture.
Another portion will be rezoned from Rural (RU) to Rural Holding (RU-h). The holding symbol prevents residential development until environmental studies are completed and Bear Island Road is upgraded to a standard acceptable to the township.
Bear Island Road is currently an unmaintained township road and is not built to a standard suitable for residential development or year-round maintenance.
Under the proposed zoning, residential development on the affected lots cannot proceed until an environmental impact study is completed and road improvements are undertaken to the satisfaction of the township.
Staff said the amendment is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement and conforms with both the Lanark County Sustainable Communities Official Plan and the township’s official plan.
Committee of the whole recommended approval of the zoning amendment, with the implementing bylaw expected to come forward to council for final approval.
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