I am writing in support of…

I am writing in support of ERO 026-0300, particularly the Province’s initiative to streamline and standardize municipal Official Plans across Ontario.

In my view, greater consistency and clarity in planning policy is long overdue. The current system allows municipalities to create highly customized frameworks, which has resulted in significant inconsistencies, confusion, and, in some cases, overly restrictive interpretations of land use.

The City of BURLINGTON is a clear example of this issue. The City has pursued a “made-in-Burlington” approach to its Official Plan, including the development of unique definitions and policy frameworks that differ from broader provincial norms. This has created unnecessary complexity and uncertainty for landowners and stakeholders.

Of particular concern is how rural lands have been treated. Lands that have historically been recognized and used as rural properties are increasingly being constrained through planning designations and policy interpretations that resemble Greenbelt-style restrictions, despite not being formally designated as such. This shift has occurred through local policy evolution rather than clear, standardized provincial direction.

Standardizing Official Plans—including definitions, structure, and policy language—would:

Improve transparency and fairness across municipalities

Reduce the risk of overly restrictive or inconsistent local interpretations

Provide greater certainty for landowners, especially in rural areas

Ensure that municipal planning aligns more closely with provincial intent

I strongly support the Province’s efforts to simplify, standardize, and make Official Plans more consistent across Ontario. Municipalities should not be able to create entirely separate planning frameworks that effectively alter land use expectations without clear, province-wide alignment.

A standardized approach will help restore balance, improve clarity, and ensure that planning policies are applied more uniformly and fairly.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.