Purpose

Essex County Council will hold a statutory public meeting, pursuant to Section 26(3) of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended, for the purposes of discussing the proposed new Official Plan. The public meeting will be held as follows:

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

5 p.m.

County of Essex, Council Chambers

360 Fairview Avenue West, Essex, ON, N8M 1Y6

The public meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for the public to offer comments regarding any issue or matter that should be considered in creating the new Official Plan. Members of Council will also be providing input on issues or matters to be considered during the new Official Plan process.

Background on the New Official Plan

The long-term prosperity, health and well-being of residents living and working in Essex County will to a large degree be shaped by the land use, transportation, growth management, environmental, housing and fiscal policies that are incorporated as part of the County of Essex Official Plan.

It is one of the most important policy documents that County Council adopts, and it contains a broad range of goals and policies that guide and provide direction to landowners, business owners, and the community at large pertaining to how growth is managed and resources are protected.

Once approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the new Official Plan will replace the existing in force and effect Official Plan.

The Planning Act requires that an Official Plan conform with provincial plans or that it does not conflict with them; has regard to matters of provincial interest; is consistent with provincial policy statements; and addresses recent legislative changes.

Taking into account the timing of the approval of the current Official Plan, the introduction of a 2020 Provincial Policy Statement and amendments to the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990 the County has initiated the creation of a new Official Plan.

This public meeting is the first of the statutory meetings to be held in relation to the County’s Official Plan review and will include an overview presentation by the County’s planning consultant.

Throughout the OP review process there will be additional opportunities for the public to review draft documents and to provide comments to Council and staff, including an Open House and Statutory Public Meeting under section 17 of the Planning Act that will occur prior to County Council considering the adoption of the proposed new County Official Plan.

Subject Lands

The new Official Plan will affect all lands within the municipal boundary of the County. Accordingly, no key map is provided.

Your Input is Important

Any person may attend the public meeting and/or provide written or a verbal representation. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may provide written comments by submitting them to the address below.

By Mail: Rebecca Belanger, MCIP, RPP, Manager, Planning Services, County of Essex, 360 Fairview Avenue W, Essex, ON, N8M 1Y6

By Email: OfficialPlanReview@countyofessex.ca

If you wish to be added to the mailing list, please utilize the email or address noted above. A copy of the agenda for the public meeting, including a staff report and any attachments, will be available in advance of this public meeting on the County’s website.

The County’s current Official Plan may be reviewed on the County of Essex website. A copy of the two background reports that were prepared as part of the initial phase of the County’s Official Plan Review can be viewed at countyofessex.ca/OfficialPlanReview/

Notice of Collection

Personal information collected as a result of this public meeting is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Planning Act, and all other relevant legislation, and will be used to assist in making a decision on this matter.

All personal information (as defined by MFIPPA), including (but not limited to) names, addresses, opinions and comments collected will be made available for public disclosure to members of the public, at the meeting, through requests, and through the County of Essex website.

Questions regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of this personal information may be directed to the Clerk, Essex County Civic; 360 Fairview Avenue W, Essex, ON, N8M 1Y6.

This notice published on February 24, 2023.

COVID-19 Information

The health and safety of residents, Council, and staff is the most important part of this meeting.  Residents who do not wish to attend the meeting have the option of submitting their comments in writing.  Both in person and written comments are equally valued