May 30, 2019 Allyson…

May 30, 2019

Allyson Switzman, Manager, Growth Planning and Analysis,
Ontario Growth Secretariat
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
777 Bay Street, 17th Floor,
Toronto, ON M5G 2E5

Dear Ms Switzman,

RE: County of Simcoe Comments on the Proposed Modification to Ontario Regulation 311/06 (Transitional Matters – Growth Plans)
A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2019
ERO No. 019-0018
__________________________________________________________________________________

The County has appreciated the opportunities for ongoing consultation relating to the approval of A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2019 (Growth Plan). The County provided written comments for the Growth Plan in a submission through the Environmental Registry of Ontario on February 28th, 2019. Through this forum the County was able to offer input on key topics such as Employment Planning, Settlement Area Boundary Expansions, Rural Settlements, the Agricultural and Natural Heritage Systems, and Intensification and Density Targets. As a result, the County believes that positive changes have been implemented in the Growth Plan that will be beneficial to our residents.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the proposed modification to Ontario Regulation 311/06 (Transitional Matters) made under the Places to Grow Act, 2005 to implement the Growth Plan.

The proposed regulation, as modified on May 2, 2019, will provide clarity on how to apply the Plan policies. It is proposed that the Minister would make modifications to the transition regulation to not disrupt ongoing planning matters. The modified regulation addresses six ongoing matters including County of Simcoe Official Plan Amendment No. 2 for the Environmental Resource Recovery Centre (ERRC). The proposed regulation identifies that OPA No. 2 will be subject to the Growth Plan with the exception of policies in subsection 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 (Natural Heritage System).

With the importance of this critical piece of waste management infrastructure, the County strongly supports the modification to the transitional regulation to provide greater clarity on the applicable Growth Plan policies as this matter is addressed through the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal process. The County is supportive of any further policy modifications to ensure that similar waste management facilities can develop in a timely and efficient manner. This infrastructure is fundamental in furthering the goals and objectives of the Province’s Waste Free Ontario Act, 2016, Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and Ontario’s Food and Organics Waste Policy Statement, 2018.

The County would encourage further review of other planning instruments such as the Planning Act and Provincial Policy Statement as well as related ministerial guidelines and regulations for ways to aid municipalities in developing public infrastructure. Clearly defined policies, streamlined regulations and limitations on appeals for municipal infrastructure projects would provide additional certainties for municipalities making substantial investments to improve their communities.

If you have any questions or require further information with respect to this correspondence, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at 705-726-9300 Ext.1004 or david.parks@simcoe.ca.

Sincerely,
The Corporation of the County of Simcoe

David Parks, MCIP RPP
Director of Planning, Economic Development and Transit

cc: Debbie Korolnek, General Manager, Engineering, Planning and Environment – County of Simcoe