SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls council is putting its trust in staff as it prepares to respond to the province’s latest round of planning reforms, backing a recommendation to submit comments on Bill 98 while relying heavily on internal expertise to navigate the changes.
The direction came during an April 27 committee of the whole meeting, where Manager of Development Services Karl Grenke presented an overview of the proposed legislation and its potential impact on the town.
Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, was introduced March 30 at Queen’s Park and includes a series of amendments to the Planning Act, Development Charges Act and other legislation. While much of the bill focuses on transit in larger urban centres, several changes would apply to municipalities like Smiths Falls.
Grenke told council the legislation continues a broader provincial push toward standardization and faster approvals, but comes at a time when municipalities are still adjusting to recent reforms.
“There’s been a fairly aggressive pace of change over the last number of years,” he said, noting staff, elected officials and the development industry have been working to keep up with evolving rules.
Among the proposed changes are a standardized structure for official plans, a streamlined list of studies municipalities can require for development applications, and a minimum lot size of 175 square metres for serviced urban land.
Grenke said the intent behind smaller lot sizes aligns with local goals to support intensification, but warned a one-size-fits-all approach could create challenges depending on site conditions.
The bill also proposes limiting municipalities’ ability to require certain environmental or “enhanced” development standards, a move Grenke said remains somewhat unclear in its full implications.
Council members voiced strong support for staff’s analysis and recommendations, repeatedly showing confidence in Grenke’s review of the complex legislation.
“I trust your opinion on this legislation,” said Coun. Jay Brennan, adding the volume and pace of provincial changes can be difficult to follow. “My head’s spinning with all this planning stuff.”
Coun. Peter McKenna echoed that sentiment, praising Grenke’s work in breaking down the bill and recommending feedback to the province.
“We’re very fortunate to have the quality of work and the calibre of planner that we have on staff,” McKenna said.
Mayor Shawn Pankow also backed the approach, thanking Grenke for distilling the legislation into key points relevant to the community.
Coun. Chris McGuire raised questions about how the proposed changes could affect local policies such as tree protection and environmental considerations. Grenke said the legislation appears to focus on Planning Act applications and would not limit the municipality’s ability to regulate other matters, such as tree cutting, through separate bylaws.
Council ultimately agreed to move forward with staff’s recommendation, directing Grenke and his team to finalize and submit comments to the province before the May 14 deadline.
Grenke said staff will continue reviewing the legislation in the coming weeks, including discussions with planning consultants, to better understand how the changes could affect the town’s official plan and future development.
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