Land Use Planning in Simcoe County
The goals of the County of Simcoe and its Planning Department are to guide the growth and development of the County of Simcoe, to conserve important natural and cultural resources, and to facilitate the provision of efficient municipal services, all with the objective of enhancing the quality of life for County citizens.
The primary tool to achieve these goals is the County Official Plan, which sets out a broad County policy framework regarding development and land use. The Plan incorporates the basic planning policies of the Provincial Policy Statement which the County administers on behalf of the Province of Ontario.
Besides being the approval authority for various land use development applications including local Official Plan Amendments, the Planning Department provides critical information to County Council and member municipalities, including growth projections and Provincial planning policy. The Department assists in the achievement of County objectives and interests in transportation, waste management, natural heritage and forestry.
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On October 28, 2010 the Ministry of Infrastructure release Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe - an amendment and implementing tools for the Simcoe Sub-area
Approval of Land Use Planning Applications
This is an outline of land use planning application approval responsibilities in Simcoe County:
Preconsultation - With the passing of County by-law # 5528, the County Planning Department requires consultation prior to a formal submission of a County of Simcoe Official Plan Amendment and/or a Plan of Subdivision/Condominium application for which the Corporation of the County of Simcoe is the approval authority.
• County of Simcoe Official Plan - The County Plan was first approved in 1999. New Official Plans and Amendments adopted by Council are submitted to the Province for approval.
• Local Municipal Official Plans - New local municipal Official Plans are approved by County Council. Amendments to local Official Plans are approved by Council's Corporate Services Committee.
• Subdivisions and Condominiums - the Director of Planning is the approval authority for subdivisions and condominiums in about half of the local municipalities (towns and townships) of Simcoe County. Approval authority for subdivisions and condominiums has been delegated by the County to the other local municipalities - in these cases, the County is a commenting agency.
• Part Lot Control Bylaws - the Director of Planning approves Part Lot Control Bylaws adopted those local municipalities that do not have delegate approval authority for subdivisions and condominiums.
• Zoning Bylaws, Consents and Minor Variances - local municipalities are the approval authorities for zoning bylaws and consents. The County is a commenting agency.
• Site Plans - local municipalities prepare and approve site plans. The County must also approve site plans on properties which abut County Roads.