I am Registered Professional…

I am Registered Professional Planner and a planning and development consultant based in Barrie. My clients have lands and planning projects throughout Simcoe County. As such, their lands and projects are subject to the policies of the applicable Provincial Plans (i.e. Growth Plan 2017) as well as the County of Simcoe Official Plan.

With respect to the proposed Agricultural System Mapping, it is crucial that existing planning and development approvals permitted by the Growth Plan and the County of Simcoe Official Plan continue to be recognized / permitted and that their development rights are not superseded by the proposed Mapping System and associated policies.

For example:

i) My clients own approx. 250 ha of land in the South of Division Road Secondary Plan Area (SODA), Township of Severn, County of Simcoe. The Secondary Plan was approved by the OMB in Sept 2000. The Secondary Plan is not located in a settlement area, but does include several sites approved for residential and industrial development, including: the "Area 3" subdivision which is designated, Draft Plan Approved and Zoned for a mixture of residential, recreational and industrial/commercial uses; the "Area 2" development which is designated, site plan approved and zoned for residential development; industrial lands on the east side of Burnside Line which are designated and zoned for industrial uses; the Hawk Ridge Golf & County Club which is designated and zoned for recreational uses. The SODA land use designations and policies are specifically referenced in the County's OP. However, OMAFRA's proposed Agricultural System Mapping designates many of these lands as "Prime Agricultural".

ii) My clients own lands located on the southwest corner of the Hwy 400 and Hwy 89 intersection, Town of Innisfil, County of Simcoe. These lands are designated and zoned for highway commercial development by Innisfil's planning documents. Development is also permitted by the County OP. However, OMAFRA's proposed Agricultural System Mapping designates these lands, as well as other commercially designated lands in the general area, as "Prime Agricultural".

Our preceding comments are similar to those contained in County of Simcoe Planning Department Staff Report #CCW-17-263 dated September 12, 2017 and as submitted by Simcoe County to the Province as part of this public consultation process.

As stated above, existing planning and development approvals must continue to be permitted and recognized by the Agricultural System mapping and associated policies.

Thank you.

[Original Comment ID: 211037]