Notice of Refusal Concerning Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendments

Part Lot 15, Concession A, being Part 1 51R-41560, Mara, in the Geographic Township of Ramara, being a vacant lot municipally known as 2864 Concession Road A - OP-1/23 & Z-4/23

Take Notice That on August 28, 2023 the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ramara refused applications under Section 22 and 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990 in respect of Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Files OP-1/23 and Z-4/23.

And Take Notice That the purpose and effect of the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments would amend the land holding policy date to enable the creation of two (2) residential building lots to be created by consent and to permit site specific zoning to allow a decrease in minimum lot frontage from 45 metres to 33 metres.

And Take Further Notice That prior to the refusal of the Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for files OP-1/23 and Z-4/23, Council received and considered oral and written submissions citing cisterns as a reliable water source, efficient use of land and the housing crisis from Jesse Auspitz from NPG Planning Solutions, applicant planner and Steven Vocella, owner via deputation.

Lands Affected: A key map showing the location of the lands to which the application applies is provided below.

Reasons for Refusal:

Council supports the recommendation of staff as set out in the Staff Report dated August 9, 2023. The refusal of the Applications is based on Council’s opinion that the amendments are contrary to provincial and municipal policy direction regarding limiting residential development in rural areas.

Amending the land holding policy for lot creation was deemed not locally appropriate in this area due to the lack of ground water available for servicing in the area, vacant lots undeveloped in Plan 393 to the west of the subject property and the possible impact that creating additional lots where existing service levels could not support development could have on the Township’s infrastructure.

Refusing the applications is consistent with Council's past decisions and approach on similar applications to amend the legally existing date in support of new lots.

Appeals:

Take Notice That an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in respect of the application may be submitted by filing with the Clerk of the Corporation of the Township of Ramara a notice of appeal not later than Thursday September 28, 2023. The notice of appeal must set out the objection to the decision and the reason in support of the objection, and be accompanied by a the applicable fee in certified cheque or money order in Canadian Funds payable to the Minister of Finance which represents the Tribunal’s fee. Filing fees can be found at https://olt.gov.on.ca/fee-chart/

A person or public body that requested an amendment to the official plan of the Township of Ramara may appeal the refusal of the requested amendment to the Ontario Land Tribunal in respect of all or any part of the requested amendment by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the Township of Ramara.

No person or public body shall be added as a party to the hearing of the appeal unless, before the requested official plan amendment was refused, the person or public body made oral submissions at a public meeting, if any, or written submissions to the council or, in the opinion of the Ontario Land Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

Accessibility: The Township of Ramara is committed to providing services as set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. If you have accessibility needs and require alternative formats or other accommodations, please contact the undersigned.

Privacy Disclosure: As one of the purposes of the Planning Act is to provide for planning processes that are open and accessible, all written submissions, documents, correspondence, e-mails or other communications (including your name and address) form part of the public record and may be disclosed/made available by the Township as deemed appropriate, including anyone requesting such information. Please note that by submitting any of this information, you are providing the Township with your consent to use and disclose this information as part of the planning process.

Dated this 8^th day of September, 2023

Jennifer Connor, CMO, AOMC

Director of Legislative Services/Clerk

Ramara Township

2297 Highway 12

Box 130, Brechin, Ontario, L0K 1B0

Telephone: (705) 484-5374

Email

Key Map: