I am a resident of Perth…

I am a resident of Perth South Township, a farm owner and operator beside the lands to which the Stratford MZO was applied in July 2020. The application of this MZO has taken away my voice and the voice of others in the community nullifying our ability to provide input into what happens on that site & its impact on the community. I along with many others strongly support the concept of adhering to Official Plans & request that amendments to the Planning Act through Schedule 17 of Bill 197 be repealed immediately.

Municipal site plan control is “an essential tool for environmental protection.” It brings a finer lens to considerations of the potential social, environmental, and logistical consequences of a proposed development which requires familiarity, knowledge and expertise about the specific site and the local planning context. In other words, municipal site plan control is for detailed and complex matters not suited to decision making through MZO's by a Minister and ministry staff who lack site specific knowledge. Again, amendments to the Planning Act through Schedule 17 of Bill 197, which override municipal site plan control, should be repealed immediately.