Monica Morrison, Land Use Planning Manager and Jack Van Dorp, Director Planning and Development at the County of Bruce presented to Council regarding the Draft County of Bruce Official Plan. Additional related documents including maps and schedules are available on the Bruce County website: https://www.planthebruce.ca/official-plan.
An official plan open house has been scheduled for October 3, 2024 from 3:30 - 6pm at the Bruce County Administration Centre, 30 Park Street Walkerton. Another agriculture focused open house will be held on October 4, 2024 from 5pm-7pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, 86 River Street Tara. Official Plan draft and maps are also available in local libraries.
Morrison outlined the process involved in developing the plan, and the structure of the current plan. Previous recent amendments to the Official Plan were included in the new draft official plan. The New Provincial Planning statement was reviewed, and information was provided on how these would be incorporated into the County of Bruce's new Official Plan. Settlement boundary area expansion criteria have been developed to help municipalities and the county to evaluate proposed expansions.
Morrison identified changes proposed to each of the schedules.
Council inquired about temporary garden suite wording and the County confirmed that the wording would allow a total of 3 Additional Residential Unit (ARU) where servicing permitted. Council noted that planning documents should address where, within the housing cluster, homes could be built. County staff confirmed the Township's zoning by-law would be the mechanism to set the distance from existing housing that would be appropriate and that farm worker accommodation are excluded from the ARU count.
Hazard land mapping includes the most up to date information from the conservation authorities, and may be updated outside of an official plan review. Natural Environment Map, schedule "E" is new and the identification of areas has been in development for a decade, although it is illustrated in a new way within the plan. Morrison explained the difference between natural mapping in the north versus the south of the County. The County emphasis protecting deer and black bear habitats within the north where large forested areas exist while balancing development in those communities. The southern areas focus on established areas (which are smaller) and the linkages between these disbursed natural features. Existing uses can continue, but the linkage function policy indicates that it must maintain the linkage. Known wetlands and provincial significant wetlands are provided the same protection criteria.
Council inquired about whether residents are notified if there are changes proposed for their properties. Morrison noted that all properties in the County will be impacted, and the process the County will be using is a comprehensive public consultation model including media campaigns, social media campaigns, and open houses to permit residents to learn more. The County noted that these are higher level policies and that significant changes that may affect building permits are more likely to occur when zoning by-law changes occur.
Schedule F of the proposed County Official Plan shows Significant Groundwater Recharge areas which are intended to be regulated. The development criteria is to maintain recharge areas, and would be apply to intensive development or large impervious areas and is not intended to change existing uses. There would be a requirement to redress through good management and planning to ensure that groundwater recharge is maintained.
There are two current boundary expansion requests for settlement areas changes as outlined in the report. They are collecting these requests and will make a recommendation to County Council late in October.
The text of the proposed new Bruce County Official Plan: highlights that Bruce County is located in the broader Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory; has a strong housing focus which maintains minimum densities and supports a range and mix of housing; supports Agriculture, Tourism, and Energy as economic drivers and permits diversification; envisions complete communities in a thriving region with easy access to housing, jobs, recreation, and services; and streamlines focus including opportunities for local decisions and plans.
Groundwater Protection and Development has been identified as an area of tension due to a regulatory gap between planning function and building code function. The Official Plan Policies have been developed to provide flexibility for reconfiguring existing developments, and developments without requiring additional studies. The County noted a new proposed policy for properties where there would be a reliance on advanced technology (tertiary) where there is requirement for a mechanism to monitor the system, and a justification that intensification is required.
The County is seeking feedback from Council on boundary adjustment request and engagement on themes that are important to the Municipality.
Council inquired about the impact to landowners and if tax incentive changes were anticipated. Property ownership was the search criteria when developing the environmental schedules and county staff are not expecting the class to change on properties. County staff indicated they are open to hearing from landowners to make adjustments to mapping criteria if changes have impacted them in this way.
Council inquired about what Policies were included respecting active transportation on County Roads. County staff indicated that the Official Plan points to the Transportation Master Plan adopted by the County to provide details on active transportation policies.
Council inquired about impacts to the local Official Plan, and verified that the County Official Plan did not precluded local control of commercial areas in the local Official Plan. County staff verified that the lakeshore is considered a secondary settlement area as it is not fully serviced, and capacity in water and wastewater is the factor which may affect commercial activity in these areas.
Council inquired about the growth management amendment and County staff confirmed that it would not include the Township's calculations but was prepared in 2021, and adopted in 2023 and approved by the province in August. Council inquired about how to ensure that the rapid growth in the Township is incorporated into the final plan. The County will update local official plans and monitor growth and assess land budgets and do an update at that time.
Council noted that additional land needs would be based on old numbers and requested more information on how this will impact the boundary expansion requests. County staff noted that when the County reviews the request for expansion, the updated numbers could be reviewed then. County staff have not taken a position on any of the proposed expansions at this time.