Township of South Algonquin - Approval to amend a municipality’s official plan

A decision was made on October 29, 2025 to approve the Township of South Algonquin’s Official Plan Amendment 2 (OPA 2), as adopted by By-law 2024-789, subject to fifty-nine modifications. 

OPA 2 represents the Township of South Algonquin’s official plan update, setting out long-term planning policies for the Township. 

OPA 2 was undertaken as a general update to the 2014 official plan for the Township. The adopted OPA 2 was reviewed for consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 (PPS, 2024) and matters of provincial interests set out in the Planning Act, and for conformity to the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, 2011. Fifty-nine (59) modifications have been made by the Minister.  Of the fifty-nine (59) modifications, 31 (summarized below) are specifically related to the environment. They ensure:  

• Growth management policies promote efficient and responsible growth and development that is coordinated with existing infrastructure and infrastructure planning. Infrastructure and public service facilities should be planned efficiently and should demonstrate sufficient capacity of services to meet current and projected needs with no negative impacts (PPS, 2024 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 6.2.1). A waste management policy is added so that there is demonstrated solid waste capacity when considering development proposals (PPS, 2024 3.7).
• Land use compatibility policies that separate agricultural, commercial, and industrial uses from more sensitive uses are consolidated and clear (PPS, 2024 2.6.5, 3.5, and 4.5.2.2).
• Water resource systems are protected, water and sewage service policies are clear, environmental lake capacity is considered, and a minimum size of 1 hectare is required for lots on private individual on-site services unless a study demonstrates that services can be provided on a smaller lot with no negative environmental impacts (PPS 2024, 3.6 and 4.2);
• Natural heritage features and associated policies are clear and consistent, including for the protection of natural heritage generally (PPS, 2024 4.1.1, 4.1.2, and 4.1.8), significant wetlands (PPS, 2024 4.1.5), significant wildlife habitat (PPS, 2024 4.1.5), fish habitat (PPS, 2024 4.1.6), and species at risk and their habitat (PPS, 2024 4.1.7);
• Natural and human-made hazard policy are clear and up to date (PPS, 2024 5.1.5.2, and 5.3);

The remaining modifications address Planning Act updates, housing and additional residential units, Ontario’s Building Code, cultural heritage resources, Indigenous engagement and consultation, natural resources protection and use (e.g., aggregate, mines and minerals), rural and settlement areas, Crown land, as well as transportation and infrastructure corridors.

Pursuant to subsections 17 (36.5) and (38.1) of the Planning Act, this decision is final and not subject to appeal. Accordingly, OPA 2, as modified and approved by the Minister, came into effect on October 29, 2025.