RE: Provincial Planning…

RE: Provincial Planning Statement, ERO 019-8462

Contrary to the messaging from the Province, the proposed changes to the PPS and (unlike its name) Bill 185 are extremely unlikely to result in more housing being built. The far more likely result will be far less housing while the devastating environmental impacts and other negative consequences of violating our countryside line and protections of our essential prime farmland and natural groundwater filtration sites could be felt for generations with much of the damage being permanently irreparable.

My Recommendations on the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS):

- Concerning changes to remove or make greenfield density targets optional need to removed and existing greenfield density targets maintained or increased for all parts of Ontario,
- The elimination of intensification targets need to be removed and existing intensification targets maintained or increased and made mandatory - not optional,
- 2 additional residences permitted on every farm despite last year’s efforts to prevent the absurd 4 severances per farm needs to be completely removed,
- Troubling changes to permit new subdivision developments in rural areas need to be eliminated,
- Encouraging development on septic systems and water systems that have proved problematic in the past needs to be eliminated from the proposed PPS changes,
- The Agricultural System and the Natural Heritage System concepts and mapping need to be restored for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.