Regarding proposed changes…

Regarding proposed changes to Official Plan contents and land use types, the Council of Tay Valley Township is pleased to see Indigenous Engagement included. However, the Township is concerned that there are no chapters or sections that have titles related to affordable or attainable housing or to climate change.

Regarding Site Plans being prohibited from including Enhanced Development Standards, Tay Valley Township is concerned that this proposal erodes the ability of municipalities to protect the water quality of lakes, which would result in degraded recreational properties and reduced assessment values for property owners and municipalities. Site Plans in our Township are mostely implemented to require retention or revegetation along lake and river shorelines to prevent nutrients from entering the water bodies and degrading them. This government proposal does not take a rural perspective into account.

This proposal also undermines the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 (PPS) policy direction that planning authorities “shall plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and prepare for the impacts of a changing climate, including through approaches that promote green infrastructure, low impact development, and active transportation”.

Finally regarding Encumbered Parkland and Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS), Tay Valley Township Council is concerned that counting private spaces within developments will not translate into increased public parkland opportunities.