O. Reg. 525/97 (Exemption from Approval (Official Plan Amendments))
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 525/97
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Planning Act
Summary of Decision:
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has amended a regulation under the Planning Act to empower certain municipalities in relation to one areas of land use planning authority:
1) Exemption from Approval - Official Plan Amendments
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) has amended Ontario Regulation 525/97 (Exemption from Approval - Official Plan Amendments) under the Planning Act in order to exempt certain municipalities from the requirement to obtain the Minister's approval of official plan amendments.
Ontario Regulation 266/19 identifies the following 3 municipalities which have up-to-date official plans as being exempt from the requirement to obtain the Minister's approval of their official plan amendments:
-Haliburton County
-Hastings County
-United Counties of Leeds & Grenville
This regulation exempts from the Minister's approval official plan amendments of the identified municipalities commenced on or after September 1, 2019.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
19-MMAH007
Posting Date:
June 6, 2019
Summary of Proposal:
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) is proposing to amend Ontario Regulation 525/97 (Exemption from Approval (Official Plan Amendments)) under the Planning Act in order to exempt certain municipalities from the requirement to obtain the Minister's approval of official plan amendments.
The proposed amendment would identify the following three (3) municipalities which have brought their official plans up-to-date with provincial policy since late 2012 as being exempt from the requirement to obtain the Minister's approval of their official plan amendments:
1. Haliburton County
2. Hastings County
3. United Counties of Leeds & Grenville
It is proposed that the regulation would exempt from the Minister's approval official plan amendments of the identified municipalities commenced on or after September 1, 2019.
Purpose of Regulation:
The Province is committed to a sound, efficient and effective planning system that enhances local autonomy and streamlines decision-making on planning applications.
This proposed regulation would exempt them from Minister's approval of official plan amendments.
Other Information:
This initiative reinforces MMAH's commitment to ensuring that decisions are made at the local level by municipalities that have up-to-date official plans consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS).
Contact Address:
Mike Elms, M.U.R.P.
Manager, Community Planning and Development
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Municipal Services Office - East
8 Estate Lane (Rockwood House)
Kingston, Ontario, K7M 9A8
Effective Date:
September 1, 2019
Decision:
Approved