IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ramara initiates discussion with Province on Rama Road Corridor

Ramara/February 9, 2021 - The Township has initiated an engagement process with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) to discuss potential alterations to the Rama Road Corridor designation.

On November 3, 2020, Council directed staff to submit a letter to MMAH to provoke discussion on making these changes to the designations in the Rama Road Corridor. The current restrictions require commercial land uses to occur prior to any residential uses, which has hindered, as opposed to, promoting development within the corridor.

Rama Road Corridor is designated as an Economic Employment District and is subject to provisions set out in the following legislation: A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (A Place to Grow), County of Simcoe Official Plan, Township of Ramara Official Plan and Rama Road Secondary Plan. The provisions found under A Place to Grow and the Rama Road Secondary Plan stipulate that residential uses must be ancillary to a permitted use, and no residential unit shall be permitted as a primary residence. This order and phasing of development has proven difficult for developers as without a residential component to justify the need for commercial use, the development would be difficult to rationalize. Put bluntly, this is not a request for a zoning change, rather it is a change of use, a change in the order in which otherwise approved development can take place.

"At this time, the Township has not completed a formal submission for a Ministry Zoning Order (MZO) and will not remove any formal planning processes which require pre-consultation to determine numerous studies, site plan reviews and agreements,"
advises Mayor Basil Clarke. "The MMAH requested a document explaining the current issues and proposed development for the area in order to help to initiate a discussion. The plans submitted were simply concept plans and do not illustrate any of the technical requirements for a complete site plan application. These projects will be required to go through an extensive Site Plan approval process, as stipulated under the Planning Act, which would encompass a number of studies including but not limited to a Natural Heritage Evaluation (EIS), Traffic Study in conjunction with the requirements of the County of Simcoe, a Functional Servicing Report, a minimum Phase 1 Archaeological study and any other studies deemed to be appropriate for the development proposed."

The Township received support in principle from both the County of Simcoe and Rama First Nation. The County of Simcoe, who approve amendments to the Township of Ramara Official Plan, ensures that all aspects of development are accounted for in respect to their legislative requirements. As the development would also affect Rama First Nation's Reserve, the Council and Chief of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation were included in the circulation of documents.

"The Township's preferred option is to address the policy issues with our Official Plan update, but we feel that consultation with the Minister directly is required to proceed. Until we hear feedback from MMAH on whether the province is supportive of an application for an MZO or a formal amendment to A Place to Grow document, the Township is in a holding pattern," reports CAO John Pinsent. "This process started as a discussion on how to grow and develop the Rama Road Corridor that is intended for growth and development through existing provincial policies. As the Township of Ramara is updating its Official Plan, we want to ensure that we have a clear vision for responsible growth and development with clear goals, objectives and policies. It is not the goal to fast track or remove any formal planning processes, but find opportunities to grow our community."

For more information on the current designations, process, requirements and next steps, please visit www.reachoutramara.ca/ rama-road-corridor. Residents are encouraged to submit their questions and staff will respond.

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Media Contacts
Ashley Watson
Business and Communications Coordinator
Township of Ramara
705-484-5374 ext. 322
awatson@ramara.ca