PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 17 & 26 OF THE PLANNING ACT, R.S.0. 1990
CONCERNING AN AMENDMENT TO THE MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP OFFICIAL PLAN AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW
TAKE NOTICE that a Virtual Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 28th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., in the Township of Montague to consider revisions to the proposed Official Plan Amendment made since the first public meeting held on September 14th, 2021.The OPA is initiated under Section 22 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, and is intended to implement the results of the recent Official Plan Review.
THE PURPOSE AND EFFECT of the Official Plan Amendment is to implement the recommendations of the "Planning Issues and Policy Options Report, Township of Montague Official Plan Review & Update" dated December 8, 2020.This amendment applies to all the lands within the boundaries of the Corporation of the Township of Montague. Policy changes proposed in the Official Plan Amendment include, but not limited to, policies related to:
- -Recognition of the Anishinaabe Peoples as the first inhabitants of the Township and the duty to consult indigenous communities on issues related to natural and cultural heritage matters.
- -Policies related to promotion of economic investment, the Montague Business Park and Smith Falls-Montague Airport.
- -Promotion of hamlets for future subdivision development.
- -Policies supportive of communal sanitary systems.
- -Restriction on the number of severances along "deficient" Township roads.
- -Definition of strip development.
- -Policies to permit cluster lot development.
- -Policies supportive of secondary dwelling units.
- -Enhancement of renewable energy policies.
- -Policies for development near Karst topography.
- -Revised policies related to development near the Rideau Canal.
- -Clarification of permitted uses within settlement areas.
- -Expanded range of permitted agricultural uses.
- -Clarification of policies requiring a hydrogeological assessments.
- -New natural heritage system mapping.
- -Recognition of natural corridors and linkages as wildlife habitat.
- -General administrative changes.
- Since the September 14th, 2021 public meeting the Schedules A, B and C have been updated with new base mapping.Schedule B also includes lands identified as having wildfire hazards.There are also new proposed policies related to wildfire hazards.
THIS WILL BE AN ELECTRONIC PUBLIC MEETING WHERE THERE WILL BE NO PHYSICAL IN PERSON ATTENDANCE DUE TO COVID-19. THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THE PUBLIC MEETING LIVE ON THE ZOOM LINK AND ALSO PROVIDE INPUT ELECTRONICALLY, AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS, PRIOR TO, OR FOLLOWING THE MEETING.
Instructions on how to dial in and or connect the electronic public meeting are available by visiting the Official Plan Review & Update website (www.montaguetownship.ca/government/official-plan-lh/official-plan) or by contacting the Township office at 613-283-7478 or at actingclerkadministrator@township.montague.on.ca.
IF A PERSON OR PUBLIC BODY does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township before the proposed official plan amendment is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party. Please note, as a result of COVID-19 you are strongly encouraged to contact the Township if you have any questions prior to the Public Meeting and either provide written comments or verbal comments prior to the Public Meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and material about the proposed Official Plan Amendment, including information about appeal rights or options for participation in the virtual public meeting, is available to the public for inspection by contacting Joanna Bowes, Acting Clerk Administrator at the address below.
Joanna Bowes,
Acting Clerk Administrator, Township of Montague
6547 Roger Stevens Drive
P.O. Box 755
Smith Falls, ON K7A 4W6
613-283-7478 ext. 210
actingclerkadministrator@township.montague.on.ca
Dated at the Montague Township this 6TH day of October, 2021