On behalf of the Corporation…

On behalf of the Corporation of the Township of Centre Wellington, we appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the Planning Act as outlined in Bill 60. Please see attached and below.

1. While we support efforts to improve efficiency, many technological solutions for tracking and processing applications are not readily accessible or practical for smaller municipalities. Delays are most often attributable to incomplete or inaccurate submissions from applicants.
2. We respectfully suggest that the Province focuses on its role as the approval authority for Official Plans and prioritize timely approvals, rather than further standardizing municipal processes.
3. Municipal green development standards play an important role in protecting water resources and often align with other provincial legislation. Should municipalities lose the ability to regulate these standards, we recommend incentivizing their adoption through grants or loans.
4. We do not object to the proposed changes regarding minor variances; however, these measures may have limited impact on overall approval timelines and could introduce additional complexity for municipal staff.
5. We do not support the proposal to provide the Minister with greater discretion without the requirement to demonstrate consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement and provincial plans. The same standards should apply to both municipal and ministerial decisions.
6. We welcome the proposed changes to Community Improvement Plans, which will enhance flexibility and allow proponents to access incentives established at the County level without the need for a local CIP.