Discussion Question: What is…

Discussion Question: What is your perspective on the changes being considered to simplify and standardize the structure and contents of official plans?

Response:
- A standardized framework identifying key contents of official plans, while allowing flexibility for municipalities to respond to local needs, is the best way to ensure community health, health equity, economic prosperity and environmental protection.

- Planning for the impacts of a changing climate and reducing greenhouse gases (climate change adaptation and mitigation) is an essential component of official plans and should be included as a chapter or as an additional section in proposed chapter 5 “General Policies Applicable to All Designations”

Discussion Question: What is your perspective on limiting development standards in official plans? To what extent should development standards be set out in official plans vs in zoning by-laws?

Response:
- Municipalities should retain the ability to mandate green development standards within their official plans and incorporate them within zoning by-laws. These tools help municipalities meet requirements under the Provincial Planning Statement 2.9 “Planning authorities shall plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of a changing climate through approaches that: a) support the achievement of compact, transit-supportive, and complete communities; b) incorporate climate change considerations in planning for and the development of infrastructure, including stormwater management systems, and public service facilities; c) support energy conservation and efficiency; d) promote green infrastructure, low impact development, and active transportation, protect the environment and improve air quality; and e) take into consideration any additional approaches that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build community resilience to the impacts of a changing climate.”