On May 8th, 2023, the…

On May 8th, 2023, the Township of West Lincoln Planning, Building and Environment Committee supported the following comments with respect to this proposed regulation.

Bill 23 amended Section 41 of the Planning Act to limit the definition of "development" to the construction, erection or placing of a building or structure for residential purposes on a parcel of land with more than 10 residential units. Bill 97 proposes to create regulation-making authority to prescribe specific circumstances where site plan control could be used for residential developments of 10 units of less.
The proposed regulations, under separate ERO posting would permit the use of site plan for parcels of land:
− Any part of which is located within 120 metres of a shoreline; and
− Any part of which is located within 300 metres of a railway line.
These changes are proposed to come into effect immediately on filing of the regulation.
Comment
While the regulation is a step in the right direction there needs clarification as to what constitutes a shoreline such as whether a shoreline pertains to a lake shoreline or watercourse shoreline like a river or steam. Also, if the Province thought it appropriate to use site plan control to deal with hazards and compatibility issue then this rational should have been extended to apply to proximity to manufacturing uses, airports as well as natural heritage features to implement environmental impact statement recommendations.