Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Update

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In accordance with Section 26(9) of the Planning Act, the Township is required to review and amend its Comprehensive Zoning By-law within three years of an updated Official Plan coming into effect to ensure it conforms with the updated Official Plan. The District of Muskoka approved the Township’s new Official Plan on November 20, 2023.

The purpose of the Township’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law is to implement the policies of the Official Plan for the District of Muskoka and the Township’s Official Plan. Official Plans are general documents that are not intended to regulate every aspect of built-form on a private lot. In the Province of Ontario, this is the role of a zoning by-law. The statutory authority to zone land is granted by the Planning Act. The Planning Act specifies what a zoning by-law can regulate. Nick McDonald of Meridian Planning Consultants Inc. and Donna Hinde of the Planning Partnership have been retained by the Township to to provide professional services to prepare the update. The Project Lead will be the Township’s Manager of Planning. A Project Steering Committee will provide initial feedback and guidance to the Township’s Planning Committee. Final approval of the updated Comprehensive Zoning By-law will be by Township Council. The anticipated project end-date is February 2026.

In accordance with Section 26(9) of the Planning Act, the Township is required to review and amend its Comprehensive Zoning By-law within three years of an updated Official Plan coming into effect to ensure it conforms with the updated Official Plan. The District of Muskoka approved the Township’s new Official Plan on November 20, 2023.

The purpose of the Township’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law is to implement the policies of the Official Plan for the District of Muskoka and the Township’s Official Plan. Official Plans are general documents that are not intended to regulate every aspect of built-form on a private lot. In the Province of Ontario, this is the role of a zoning by-law. The statutory authority to zone land is granted by the Planning Act. The Planning Act specifies what a zoning by-law can regulate. Nick McDonald of Meridian Planning Consultants Inc. and Donna Hinde of the Planning Partnership have been retained by the Township to to provide professional services to prepare the update. The Project Lead will be the Township’s Manager of Planning. A Project Steering Committee will provide initial feedback and guidance to the Township’s Planning Committee. Final approval of the updated Comprehensive Zoning By-law will be by Township Council. The anticipated project end-date is February 2026.

  • September 2024 - Update

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    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.

  • Comprehensive Zoning By-law Update Steering Committee

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    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

Page published: 30 Sep 2024, 11:35 AM