Ontario Land Trust Alliance…

Ontario Land Trust Alliance respectfully requests that the PPS provides recommendations for conservation severances be included in all municipal plans to minimize impediments to the effective protection of conservation lands being held in perpetuity by land trusts, such as those secured through the Greenland Conservation Partnership.

Examples of wording that has been used in Official Plans include this wording in the Draft Peterborough County Official Plan :
Notwithstanding any other policy of this Plan to the contrary, the creation of new lots or the assembly of land through lot additions for conservation purposes by a recognized non-profit organization may be permitted within the boundaries of key natural heritage features and key hydrologic features without the need for a Natural Heritage Evaluation. This exception recognizes the intent to protect the feature and its functions for the long term. Lots created for such purpose will be placed in a separate zoning category, recognizing the lands for a conservation use. For clarity, the zoning may permit passive recreational uses, as well as buildings and structures outside of key features and vegetation protection zones provided they are used for conservation education purposes.

Or this example from the Peel Region Official Plan (2022) :
7.4.9 Lot Creation and Lot Adjustments:
7.4.9.5 Support consents to enable the securement of lands for natural heritage conservation purposes by a public authority or by a non-government conservation organization, provided that:
a) the consent will avoid fragmentation of the Greenlands System's natural heritage features and areas, where possible;
b) in the Prime Agricultural Area, the consent will not create a lot permitting an additional residential dwelling or other additional non-farm development beyond that which was permitted on the original lot to be severed prior to the consent;
c) the acquired and retained lots are in compliance with the local municipal official plan and zoning by-law; and
d) when deemed necessary, a restrictive covenant or conservation easement is placed on title of the land to be held for conservation purposes prohibiting development of the land for non-conservation uses in perpetuity.

7.4.9.6 Encourage the local municipalities to include appropriate lot standards and provisions in their official plans and zoning by-laws to recognize and permit non-complying lots to be created as a result of an acquisition of land by a public authority or a non-government conservation organization for natural heritage conservation purposes.

Thank you!