Municipality of East Ferris Approval of an Official Plan

The new Official Plan for the Municipality of East Ferris, adopted by By-law 2015-30 September 8, 2015 was approved-in-part as modified on March 29, 2016 (see ERO Posting No 012-6737 for details). Outstanding sections of the OP, withheld from the March 29, 2016 decision were approved on January 13, 2023. Sixteen (16) modifications were required to ensure that the Official Plan has regard for Provincial Interests as set out in Section 2 of the Planning Act and to ensure consistency with the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (PPS). The new Official Plan also provides appropriate localized policy direction for the protection and conservation of biological, ecological and genetic diversity; the protection and conservation of natural resources, including plant life, animal life and ecological systems; the encouragement of the wise management of our natural resources; and the identification, protection and conservation of ecologically sensitive areas or processes.

All sixteen (16) modifications specifically relate to the environment.

For consistency with Water policies of the (PPS Section 2.2) modifications #1-14 set development parameters for lakes that are at capacity, or that are upstream of lakes at capacity. These parameters include setbacks for development and subsurface septic systems, as well as vegetated buffers. Modification 13 also sets development parameters for areas adjacent to wetlands. Modifications #15-16 are to the schedules to ensure proper delineation of features such as the eastern boundary of Trout Lake, the Mattawa River, the 'Stepping Stones' and a 300 metre development setback.

Pursuant to subsections 17(36.5) and (38.1) of the Planning Act, the decision of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding an official plan adopted in accordance with section 26 is final and not subject to appeal. Accordingly, the outstanding sections of the Official Plan for the Municipality of East Ferris, as approved with modifications by the Minister, came into effect on January 12, 2023.

Comments received

There were:

• 0 comments received through the registry
• 0 comments received by mail
• 0 comments received by email

Effects of consultation

No comments were received resulting in no impact on the decision on whether or not to proceed with this proposal.