Official Plan Review

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 - June 2, 2025

On June 2, 2025 the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ramara enacted Bylaw No. 2025.36 under Section 17 of the Planning Act to adopt a new Official Plan for the Township of Ramara.

Adopted Official Plan Text (awaiting approval by County of Simcoe)

Press Release

Next Steps:

The adopted Plan and all necessary supporting documentation is being forwarded to the County of Simcoe for approval. The County of Simcoe is the approval.

Adopted Official Plan Maps and Schedules

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 2051
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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