Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Update

Phase II – Technical Review and Issues Identification – of the Township’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update continues. This phase of the project is largely technical in nature and involves the Steering Committee, together with the project consultants and staff, working to identify issues with the existing Zoning By-law and potential options to address these issues, and to identify how best to implement Official Plan policies following the recent Official Plan update. Valuable discourse continues with respect to what ultimate directions to take for the update. The Steering Committee meetings are open to the public and other stakeholders to observe.

Phase II will culminate in the presentation of a Draft Background Review and Directions Report to Planning Committee by the project consultants for input and feedback prior to consideration of its final approval. It is anticipated that the Draft Report will be presented to Planning Committee in April 2025. Members of the public and other stakeholders will have an opportunity delegate to Planning Committee.

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Steering Committee meetings are not being live-streamed, but members of the public are welcome to attend in-person to observe.

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Steering Committee meetings are not being live-streamed, but members of the public are welcome to attend in-person to observe.

The Comprehensive Zoning By-law Steering Committee had their first meeting on Monday September 23, 2024, the slides from this meeting can be found under the documents tab. There are two additional Steering Committee meetings scheduled for 2024:

• Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers
• Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers

Steering Committee meetings are not being live-streamed, but members of the public are welcome to attend in-person to observe.

The Project Steering Committee shall report directly to Planning Committee and shall be responsible for the following:

• Provide advice, assistance and guidance to the Township’s selected consultant and sub-consultant and Township staff in completing the project in accordance with the approved Proposal for Consulting Services, including timing and budget;
• Review and provide input on matters such as, zoning issues identification, community and stakeholder engagement, and the various drafts of the proposed Comprehensive Zoning By-law;
• Ensure necessary zoning issues are addressed by the consultants; and
• Provide appropriate recommendations to Planning Committee on the appropriateness of all documents for public consultation purposes and recommend to Planning Committee the final version of a Comprehensive Zoning By-law suitable for approval by the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council.

Council Members

• Councillor Rob Bosomworth (Vice-Chair)
• Councillor Mary Ellen McIntyre
• Councillor Gordon Roberts

Citizen Members

• Barb Bridgeman (Chair)
• Shawn Donaldson
• Al Moran
• Frank Pottow

• Terry Ledger