The Town of The Blue Mountains has begun work on the next phase of its Official Plan review project.
The current phase includes the release of background papers, a public survey and four public workshops, all of which are detailed below. More information regarding the project can be found on the project webpage.
Phase one, completed in 2022, considered high-level action items, including the vision, guiding principles, goals and objectives. Phase two allows a closer look at critical topics that emerged through this process to develop policies to guide future land-use decisions in the town.
Comments and feedback throughout the project can be shared directly with the Official Plan project staff through the contact form on the project’s website.
Background Papers
The first four background papers are now available on the webpage, with the remaining seven papers to follow in July. The background papers provide research and supporting data, consider previous comments received and provide options and recommendations for updating the town’s existing policies.
The papers will be divided into the following topics:
- environment and climate change,
- infrastructure and servicing,
- agricultural and rural lands,
- commercial and employment lands,
- building heights,
- transit and transportation,
- parks and open space,
- source water protection,
- cannabis facilities policies,
- Indigenous engagement,
- and the community planning permit system.
Public Survey
A survey to gain public feedback related to the second phase of the Official Plan review is now open and available on the webpage as well. The survey seeks input regarding community design elements, including character and design, community services, housing, climate change, parks, trails and open space.
The survey will be open until August 13, 2023. The results will be presented to council in September. Paper copies are available at the town hall and The Blue Mountains Public Library or by request by calling (519) 599-3131 ext. 263.
Public Workshops
Four public workshops are scheduled throughout July and August on key topics related to the focus of Phase 2; registration is required. Those interested in registering to participate in the workshops can do so here.
The workshop topics, dates, and times are as follows:
- July 13, 1 - 3 p.m.: Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture & Parks
- This workshop will consider policy updates to environment and climate change, agriculture and rural lands, source water protection and cannabis facilities.
- August 1, 2 - 4 p.m and 6-8 p.m.: Community Growth & Design
- These workshops will consider the update to the community design guidelines, which seeks to understand the desired design elements in the public and private spaces and the features that make each community and area unique, while incorporating community design best practices. They will also include consideration of policy updates to building height, commercial and employment lands, transportation, infrastructure and servicing.
- August 10, 1 - 3 p.m.: Affordable Housing
- This workshop will consider the housing needs assessment, which will analyze historic, current and future overall housing needs and inventory, affordable housing needs, and consider policy enhancements that will increase the supply of affordable/attainable units in the town. It will also include consideration of policy updates regarding the community planning permit system.
For more information, or to subscribe for project updates, visit the town's website or contact: Shawn Postma, manager of community planning at (519) 599-3131 ext. 248.
