Commencement of second phase of Municipal-led Official Plan Amendment

Commencement of second phase of Municipal-led Official Plan Amendment

Norfolk is moving ahead with the next phase of comprehensive amendments to its Official Plan this Fall. This work will further implement the findings of the multi-faceted Growth Management Study, GROW Norfolk and ensure conforming with provincial policy.

The comprehensive review has included multiple stages of public engagement over the last several years. In May 2024, Council adopted the first phase of the Official Plan Amendment after a public process regarding new growth forecasts and policies, urban settlement areas, and protected industrial lands.

Phase 2 will review the agricultural and natural heritage systems, hamlet areas, and other provincial policy implementations. Key highlights include:

• Completion of the Land Evaluation and Area Review study (LEAR), including a peer review, which will examine all agricultural land in the County.
• Policy updates for new land use designations to implement the LEAR study, such as rural land uses.
• Review of Hamlet Settlement Area boundaries.
• Examination of policies, mapping and land use designations for Natural Heritage features and Hazard Lands.
• Incorporate changes from Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024.
• Monitor potential changes from the proposed new Provincial Policy Statement, 2024, and adjust as needed.

Opportunities for public engagement

Through an information update report to Counci-in-Committee on Tuesday, July 9, the expected process for the next Official Plan Amendment was re-iterated and includes an ongoing commitment for Norfolk County to engage with the community.

As with Phase 1, the Planning Act requires that before changing the Official Plan, Norfolk County Council will consult with the province and hold a special meeting, open to the public, to discuss any necessary revisions. A statutory public meeting is tentatively planned for November 2024 to meet this requirement. In advance of this meeting, Norfolk will host additional Public Information Centres on draft materials anticipated in October 2024, with a final Official Plan Amendment (OPA) By-law expected to be presented to Council in December 2024.

To learn more about Norfolk County’s Growth Management Study, GROW Norfolk, the Official Plan Amendments, and to be added to the contact list, visit engagenorfolk.ca/Growth-Management-Study.

The Municipal Comprehensive Review/ PPS Conformity – Official Plan Amendment Phase 2 Update report will be ratified at Norfolk County Council on Tuesday, July 16.

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Mayor Amy Martin

“On behalf of Norfolk County Council, we are committed to thoughtful and sustainable growth that respects our unique agricultural and natural heritage. Phase 2 of our Official Plan Amendment is an important step to ensuring that our community continues to thrive while preserving the qualities that make Norfolk’s landscape, economy, and culture special.”