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.
Draft Modified County of Simcoe Official Plan
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The Official Plan was adopted by the County of Simcoe Council on November 25, 2008, and is under appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB); OMB File No. PL091167. The document has been modified by the County to incorporate provisions put forth in Provincial legislation, including the Growth Plan Amendment and the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. This updated version was endorsed by County Council on January 22, 2013 (see resolution below) and will come before the OMB at a first pre-hearing conference scheduled for Tuesday March 5, 2013 at the Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston beginning at 10am.
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- Draft Modified Official Plan (track changes version)
- Draft Schedule 5.1 - Land Use Designations
- Draft Schedule 5.1 - Land Use Designations (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.1.2 - Simcoe Sub Area
- Draft Schedule 5.1.2 - Simcoe Sub Area (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.1a - Big Bay Point Structure Plan
- Draft Schedule 5.1a - Big Bay Point Structure Plan (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.2.1 - High Potential Mineral Aggregate Resources
- Draft Schedule 5.2.1 - High Potential Mineral Aggregate Resources (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.2.2 - Streams and Evaluated Wetlands
- Draft Schedule 5.2.2 - Streams and Evaluated Wetlands (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.2.3 - Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest
- Draft Schedule 5.2.3 - Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.3.1 - Niagara Escarpment Plan Land Use Designations
- Draft Schedule 5.3.1 - Niagara Escarpment Plan Land Use Designations (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.3.2 - Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Land Use Designations
- Draft Schedule 5.3.2 - Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Land Use Designations (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.3.2.1 - Oak Ridges Moraine, Hydrologically Sensitive Features and Aquifer Vulnerability
- Draft Schedule 5.3.2.1 - Oak Ridges Moraine, Hydrologically Sensitive Features and Aquifer Vulnerability (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.3.2.2 - Oak Ridges Moraine, Key Natural Heritage Features and Landform Conservation Areas
- Draft Schedule 5.3.2.2 - Oak Ridges Moraine, Key Natural Heritage Features and Landform Conservation Areas (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.3.3 - Greenbelt Plan
- Draft Schedule 5.3.3 - Greenbelt Plan (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.5.1 - County Transportation Systems
- Draft Schedule 5.5.1 - County Transportation Systems (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.5.2 - Future County Transportation Systems
- Draft Schedule 5.5.2 - Future County Transportation Systems (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.6.1 - County Waste Disposal Sites
- Draft Schedule 5.6.1 - County Waste Disposal Sites (high resolution)
- Draft Schedule 5.6.2 - Private, Other Municipal and Government Waste Disposal Sites
- Draft Schedule 5.6.2 - Private, Other Municipal and Government Waste Disposal Sites (high resolution)
Adopted County of Simcoe Official Plan - November 25, 2008
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. Site Plan Application Review Form