The Planning Act of Ontario requires municipalities to regularly review their Official Plans to reflect updates to legislation, Provincial plans and policies, and regional government plans. The purpose of our proposed new Official Plan is to update and replace the existing Township of Ramara Official Plan (2003). The review of the Township’s Official Plan began in 2017 and was put on hold due to extenuating circumstances. The project was reinitiated in 2023 with additional open houses and updates to reflect with newly introduced Provincial legislative changes.

Official Plan Review

Our Official Plan is a long-term plan that provides a policy framework for the following:

  • making land use planning decisions

  • managing resources

  • protecting the environment

  • setting a structure for guiding growth and development.

Official Plan Update - May 20, 2025

The Township is pleased to present the final draft of the Official Plan below, along with a Comment Matrix and responses that addresses agency/public input submitted in response to the proposed plan.  

Draft Official Plan (Final)   

Comment Matrix - Agencies

Comment Matrix - General

 

Timeline for Adoption
May 26, 2025: A staff report and recommendation will be provided to Council at Committee of the Whole
June 2, 2025: The finalized Official Plan will be provided to Council for adoption

Once adopted, the Official Plan and all necessary supporting documentation will be forwarded to the County of Simcoe for approval. The County of Simcoe is the approval authority for the Township's Official Plans and amendments thereto.

Draft Official Plan Maps and Schedules

Note: Schedules Updated April 14, 2025 for Final Draft

Local Basis for the Official Plan

The updated Official Plan contains goals, objectives and policies that guide Township Council, its committees, boards, officials and the public with regard to land use.  The local basis for the official plan includes:

  • ­Planning for population and employment growth in accordance with the County of Simcoe Official Plan to 2031
  • Analyze and protect natural functions and hazard lands
  • Protect and maintain the local Greenlands system and agricultural areas
  • Identify and plan residential and economic growth within existing settlement areas, identifying housing types and densities for sustainable and complete communities. 

New designations in the proposed Official Plan include the Greenlands Designation and provides for differentiation between Village and Rural Settlement Areas to direct growth.   Additional and updated Schedules are included for the Atherley-Uptergrove Secondary Plan, recent changes to the Brechin and Lagoon City Settlement Areas, Natural Heritage overlay mapping and Aquifer Vulnerability.

Key Themes

The Townships Official Plan review is focused on the following key themes:

  • Vision and Guiding Principles 
  • Complete Communities and Balanced Growth
  • Housing 
  • Community Design and Heritage
  • Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Agriculture and Rural Lands

Comments

Comments and questions may be submitted in writing to the Planning Department by emailing planning@ramara.ca or by mailing the Planning Department at PO Box 130, Brechin, ON, L0K 1B0

Why do we need to update the Official Plan?

In Section 26(1) of the Planning Act, it outlines the requirements for updating an existing Official Plan. An approved Official Plan can be reviewed at any time, but each local council must update its official plan at least ten years from the date the plan came into effect in the case of a new comprehensive official plan. When an Official Plan is not being replaced, it should be updated at least every five years. This ensures the plan is consistent with Provincial policies and conforms and/or does not conflict with provincial plans, as required. If the plan is inconsistent or conflicts with the statement, the plan is expected to be updated.

The Official Plan update is also an opportunity to ensure the official plan continues to address local priorities and changing community needs. The Township of Ramara Official Plan was enacted on July 31, 2003. The updating of the document was delayed due to the County of Simcoe Official Plan update, which was approved by the County of Simcoe in 2008; however, it was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. The document was finally approved in 2016, and the Township of Ramara must now bring our Official Plan into conformity with the County's approved plan.

Please tell me where the latest draft of the new OP is located.
The Draft Official Plan with schedules can be accessed above. 

How can I provide feedback on the Draft Official Plan?

Please provide any feedback on the Draft Official Plan in writing to the Planning Department by emailing planning@ramara.ca, or by mailing the Planning Department at: PO Box 130, Brechin, ON, L0K 1B0

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Draft Official Plan Document - Presented in 2023

Draft Official Plan

Maps and Schedules

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