County File No. SC-OPA-1902The County of Simcoe adopted a Positive Aging Strategy in 2017 that provides the framework for the County’s age-friendly principles. Guided by the Strategy, the County is working to further these principles by implementing age-friendly policies through a County Official Plan Amendment.
Age-friendly design of our communities and physical settings is an important component in creating a healthy aging environment. An Age-Friendly Community is a place that encourages “active aging” by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a comprehensive study of older persons that identified eight key dimensions that are central to creating an Age-Friendly Community. These include: outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services. (WHO, 2007). With this research, and an improved understanding of what is important to older persons, including the eight WHO principles is essential in creating communities for older persons. An age-friendly philosophy values, respects, and supports our older persons by enhancing and creating; affordable housing options, opportunities for volunteerism; regular communication tools; and a full suite of services to support their health and daily living needs.
As part of this County Official Plan Amendment, the County Official Plan is being modified to incorporate age-friendly principles into a regional policy framework to assist our local municipalities in introducing land-use policies to support our senior populations, including the provision of housing and services to meet their needs.
The following materials were prepared in support of the application in February 2020:
- Draft County Official Plan Amendment Text – Track Changes - February 2020
- Draft County Official Plan Amendment Text – Clean version - February 2020
- Draft County Official Plan Amendment - February 2020
In October 2020 the aforementioned materials were updated and are accessible through the following links:
Consultation & Public Meeting
In accordance with Section 17(15) of the Planning Act, the County circulated relevant information to local and adjacent municipalities, agencies, ministries, regulatory authorities and Indigenous Communities for their review and comment.
The County held a statutory public meeting (virtual) on November 24, 2020 at 1pm. Notice of this meeting was provided in accordance with the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P. 13. Minutes of the Public Meeting are available here.
Adoption
County Planning Staff prepared a Report CCW 2021-019 recommending adoption of the age-friendly policies (OPA No. 6) which is Item 8.2 on the January 26th 2021 Committee of the Whole agenda that is available on the County website using this link.
On February 9th 2021, County Council enacted the By-law to adopt the OPA (see Item 26.4). In accordance with Section 17(31) of the Planning Act, a record including the prescribed information and material was compiled and forwarded to the approval authority.
Approval
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the approval authority for amendments to the County's Official Plan. The amendment was posted to the Environmental Registry (ERO number 019-3435) for additional public consultation. More information regarding the effects of the consultation is available on the ERO posting.
A decision was made on June 21, 2021 to approve OPA 6 to the County of Simcoe's Official Plan, as adopted by By-Law No. 6883. The last day to appeal this decision of Ministry File # 43-OP-200546 is July 12, 2021.
More Information
Please send any questions and comments regarding this proposed County Official Plan Amendment to Kristin Pechkovsky, Senior Policy Advisor at 705-726-9300 Ext. 1986 or Kristin.pechkovsky@simcoe.ca.
Visit this link , for more information on Building an Age-Friendly Simcoe County.
