Requesting modification of…

Requesting modification of Wellington Official Plan Amendment 126 to include additional lands at 6581 Highway 6 into the settlement area boundary. The subject lands, owned by Polocorp, are abutting the Fergus Urban Area. They scored second highest on the local municipality's evaluation of potential settlement area expansion sites based upon infrastructure availability - ahead of some parcels that were included in the urban boundary.

The lands were previously included in the settlement area by way of the Minister's modifications to Wellington Official Plan Amendment 119 - although this was reversed by Bill 150.

A land needs evaluation by Antony Lorius of Dillon demonstrates Official Plan Amendment 126 does not include sufficient land in the settlement area to meet the needed demand for growth to the horizon year 2051. This is particularly the case for grade-related housing. This is not surprising, especially since the Wellington County Land Needs Assessment was undertaken some time ago, and was thus based upon out of date Provincial Policies, including relying upon the no longer in force Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The updated Dillon work, relying upon current policies, demonstrates a need for additional land for housing.

The subject lands would go some distance towards meeting the demonstrated need for land to accommodate growth.

The subject lands meet the tests under the Provincial Planning Statement for inclusion in settlement area. In addition, the comprehensive planning and development of the subject lands together with a parcel abutting to the south, also owned by Polocorp, which is included in settlement area in Official Plan Amendment 126 would have significant advantages from a public interest perspective. A more complete community can be established. A school site can be established beside a central community park, straddling both land parcels, in accordance with the preference of school board officials. Overall, infrastructure, public services and delivery of amenities can be delivered more efficiently and effectively through inclusion of both the parcels, including the lands sought to be included by this submission. From a planning perspective, the inclusion of the subject lands will allow for better community planning and development.

Inclusion of all the lands owned by Polocorp in the settlement area will result an approximately 860 new homes for families where there is clear demand. Approximately 535 of those homes would be in the subject lands that are sought to be added to settlement area by this request.

In a time of a Provincial housing crisis, it is important that the Minister ensure that Provincial policies are appropriately followed to ensure a sufficient supply of housing is delivered. The Minister can take a step towards meeting that housing need by modifying Official Plan Amendment 126 as requested.