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LAND NEEDS STUDY
Click here for the Comment Sheet.
Click here for the Official Plan Review 2008 - 2009 Background Study.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 1.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 2.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 3.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 4.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 5.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 6.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 7.
Click here for Beckwith Background Report - Figure 8.
Click here for the Presentation.
OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW
I. OFFICIAL PLAN INTRODUCTION
1. What is an Official Plan?
An Official Plan is a policy document that provides a 20-year policy and mapping blueprint for the future development of a municipality. It sets goals and a means to achieve them by considering local land use, social, cultural and economic factors. Reviewed every five years, the Official Plan is aimed at creating a better living environment in the community by dealing mainly with the physical aspects of expected growth and development.
Provincial legislation known as The Planning Act allows municipalities such as the Township of Beckwith to prepare Official Plans. It is a legal document that is adopted by Council by By-Law and then approved by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
2. How does the Township of Beckwith Official Plan affect me?
The Township of Beckwith Official Plan affects your everyday life. It determines:
a) where new homes, stores, industries, schools, parks and other land uses will be built;
b) how we protect our agricultural, natural and cultural heritage resources; and
c) how we direct the construction of new infrastructure.
II. THE TOWNSHIP OF BECKWITH OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW
1. Why is the Official Plan being reviewed?
The Township of Beckwith Official Plan was approved in 1989. Reviewing the Official Plan will provide the Township with an updated set of land use policies and maps that will:
a) support growth in certain areas of the community and restrict it in others
as appropriate; and
b) reflect current provincial policies and regulations such as The Planning Act and
the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement.
2. Who is reviewing the Official Plan?
The Township of Beckwith’s Planning Department, in consultation with J.L. Richards & Associates Limited, are reviewing the Official Plan, with direct involvement from the Township Council, other Township staff, local residents and landowners and external agencies such as the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
3. What steps are involved in reviewing the Official Plan?
The review of the Official Plan is starting this Fall and is being done in three stages:
a) Stage 1 of the review will identify land use and development issues and opportunities in the Township,
focusing on:
• the communities of Black’s Corners, Franktown, Prospect, Ashton and Gillies Corners;
• farming areas;
• rural non-farm residential areas and cottage areas around Mississippi Lake;
• the future expansion of Highway No. 7;
• natural and cultural heritage resources;
• mineral resources;
• community services and infrastructure; and
• current provincial policies and regulations.
The issues and opportunities will be part of a Background Report that will serve as the basis for proposed policy and map changes to the Official Plan. The Background Report will be presented for public review and discussion at an Open House. Once the public comments have been reviewed, a special meeting of the Township Council that is open to the public will be held to finalize the Background Report.
b) Stage 2 of the review will use the Background Report in preparing draft policy and map changes to the
existing Official Plan. These draft changes will then:
• be submitted for review by external agencies through the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and
Housing; and
• presented for public review and discussion at an Open House.
c) Stage 3 of the review will focus on approving the updated Official Plan. This will involve:
• reviewing the public comments and comments from the external agencies on the proposed Official Plan
policy and map changes with the Township Council and staff;
• revising the proposed Official Plan policy and map changes as appropriate; and
• the Township Council beginning the approval process for the updated Official Plan.
4. What is the approval process for the updated Official Plan?
There will be a formal public meeting where the Township Council will consider adopting the Official Plan. If the Township Council adopts the Official Plan, it will then require approval by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
5. How can I become involved in the review of the Official Plan?
In order to plan properly for the future, it is very important that the views of local residents and landowners are heard and included in the decision-making process. As part of the review of the Official Plan, there will be public open houses at key stages to present and discuss information on local land use and development issues and proposed Official Plan policy and map changes. There will be public notices advertising the public open houses in the local newspaper and on the Township website once the dates and venues have been confirmed. There will also be a future public meeting once the Township Council is in a position to begin the approval process for the updated Official Plan. Notice of this meeting will be advertised in the local newspaper as well.
If you would like to discuss local land use and development issues or the Official Plan review process in more detail, please feel free to contact:
Rob Wittkie
Planning Administrator – Deputy Clerk
Township of Beckwith
1702 9th Line Beckwith
RR #2
Carleton Place, Ontario K7C 3P2
Tel: 1-800-535-4532
Fax: (613) 257-8996
Email: rwittkie@twp.beckwith.on.ca
We look forward to working with you on the review of the Township of Beckwith Official Plan.
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