Perth staff examine how the Lanark County official plan aligns with provincial planning requirements
PERTH — Perth town council will soon consider formally supporting staff feedback on proposed updates to the county’s planning framework.
Committee of the whole has recommended that council endorse comments submitted by municipal staff regarding the review of the Lanark County Sustainable Communities Official Plan.
“According to provincial policy, it is a requirement to have a brand new official plan every 10 years, and this is not a brand new plan. What they are doing is an update,” explained Joanna Bowes, director of development services, at the March 10 committee meeting.
The county has begun updating the 2012 plan to incorporate new information from studies such as the Aggregate Resources Master Plan and the Growth Management Strategy, while also aligning policies with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024.
Perth’s director of development services provided both informal and written comments during the consultation process, raising questions about how the update fits within the review requirements of Ontario’s Planning Act and how the county plans to ensure consistency with provincial policy.
“I’m saying, thanks for bringing these updates forward. I think that’s great, but we need a new official plan because otherwise it gets very confusing when you’re trying to write a planning report,” said Bowes.
Staff also flagged concerns about servicing capacity and the potential impact on development if septage disposal options change within the region.
Council’s endorsement will formally forward the town’s comments to county council as it continues its review process, with a decision expected later this spring.
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