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Projects and Initiatives

Official Plan Review

Opportunities for Public Input

Please note, a continuation of the Public Meeting of December 16, 2024 has been scheduled for Monday, January 27, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

The community is invited to share ideas about their vision for the Municipality and the policy direction to manage future land use and growth.

Those wishing to participate in the planning process are encouraged to send their comments, or concerns via email or mail to:

  • Mailed to the Municipal Office: Attention - Official Plan Review (322 Main Street South, Exeter, ON, N0M 1S6)
  • Oral comments may also be expressed at the meeting

Please note that comments and opinions submitted on these matters, including the originator’s name and address, become part of the public record and may be viewed by the general public and may be published in a Planning Report, Council Agenda or Council Minutes.

Official Plan Public Meeting (Monday, January 27, 2025 at 4PM) Official Plan Public Meeting (December 16, 2024 at 5PM) View the Draft Official Plan View the Draft Official Plan Maps South Huron Official Plan Reviewer (Interactive Map)

Overview

The Municipality of South Huron, along with Huron County are embarking on a year long project to update the South Huron Official Plan.  An Official Plan provides short term and long term vision for land use, growth and development within the municipality. Section 26 of the Planning Act requires that municipal Councils review their OP not less than every five years; as the last review occurred in 2014, another review is required.

Contacts

Celina McIntosh, Planner (Huron County)

Vanessa Polselli, Planning Coordinator

Project Status:

In Progress (Public Meeting phase)

Project Approval

Section 26 of the Planning Act requires that municipal Councils review their OP not less than every five years; as the last review occurred in 2014, another review is required.

Project Background

The Act requires the review to ensure that the Official Plan (OP) has regard for matters of provincial interest and is consistent with policy statements. The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) was recently updated in 2020 from the previous version in 2014; it is anticipated that an update to the PPS will be released in 2024. The South Huron OP requires review to ensure consistency with the PPS as well as matters of provincial interest.

South Huron's OP is required to conform to upper tier Official Plans under Section 27(1) of the Planning Act. The Huron County OP was reviewed and updated in 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Official Plan is a strategic policy document that guides the long-term vision for growth and development of communities, as well as the protection of key resources.

The Official Plan contains both policy (text) and land use designations (mapping). 

The official Plan can be used by many people including: 

  • Property owners who want to develop or redevelop their property 
  • Municipal staff and Council to guide decisions on how the municipality changes 
  • Future residents or business owners who want to know what is permitted in the neighbourhood they want to buy a house or establish a business in 

An Official Plan affects everyone by:

  • Determining the location, types and densities of housing;

  • Determining where businesses can be established;
  • Protecting natural areas;

  • Identifying where growth and infrastructure should locate in future. 

The Planning Act requires that municipal Councils review their OP not less than every five years; as the last review occurred in 2014, another review is required.

Changes in the community since the last review include:

  • increased commercial and residential development;
  • shortages in housing overall and specific shortages in affordable housing;
  • increased frequency of extreme weather events; and
  • and demographic shifts.

It is important the Official Plan is updated to reflect how physical change will occur in response to changes in the community and the effects on the social, economic, built and natural environment.

  • Community Members
  • Local interest groups (BIA, agricultural reps, service clubs, etc)
  • South Huron and County Councils
  • Staff from South Huron and Huron County Planning & Development Department
  • Agency and technical staff (Conservation Authority, Municipal Engineer) 

If you and/or a community group are interested in participating in the review, please contact op@southhuron.ca

All current Opportunities for Public Input can be found at the top of the project page. 

Milestone & Event/Action

February 2024

  • Advertisements in local newspaper/radio/social media of Section 26 meeting
  • Circulation to key community groups and agencies to inform of process

March 27, 2024

  • Special meeting of Council, open to the public, to discuss the revisions to the OP that might be required (referred to as Section 26 meeting)

April 2024

  • Prepare Background Report and scheduling of Community Tables
  • Public Consultation (online, community tables, etc) held to hear input from public, agencies, and community groups.

May 2024

  • Present Background Report and ‘What We Heard’ Report to Council  
  • Prepare draft Official Plan in response to legislative requirements, public and agency input

June 2024

  • Finalize Draft Official Plan, policy and mapping 

July 2024

  • Schedule Open Houses 

August 2024

  • Present Draft Official Plan to Council
  • Mailout to Property Owners
  • Advertise Open Houses and host Open Houses

September 2024

  • Open House
  • Meeting with Property Owners
  • Site Visits as necessary 

October 2024

  • Revised Draft presented to Council based on feedback received through Open Houses
  • Public meeting scheduled

November 2024

  • Further consultation with landowners, community groups as required
  • Notice of Public Meeting published

December 2024

  • Public Meeting

January 2025

  • Final changes in response to Public Meeting input 

February 2025

  • South Huron Council Adoption of 5 Year Review Update

March 2025

  • Huron County Council decision on Official Plan Amendment, either:
    • approve
    • deny
    • approve with modifications
    • defer

April 2025

  • Appeal period on decision of County Council occurs 20 days from when Notice of Decision is given.
  • If no appeals are received, the decision of County Council ends and the OPA comes into force if approved.

A number of policy and mapping changes are proposed in the Official Plan Amendment as a result of the review. Key proposed changes include: 

  • Revising the current policies to manage projected growth and it’s impacts on social, environmental and economic matters; 

  • Modifying settlement area boundaries across the municipality; 

  • Implementing policy changes in accordance with updated provincial planning legislation; 

  • Introducing policies for the Greater Grand Bend area that considers cross-border growth planning; 

  • Updating mapping for urban settlement, agricultural, and natural environment areas; 

  • Including a Land Acknowledgement in the document;  

  • Providing direction for energy projects proposed on agricultural lands; and 

If approved, these changes would apply across the Municipality of South Huron.

This page will be updated as more information is available.

Documents and Reports

Notices 

Staff Reports

 Videos:

Background resources: 

Contact Us

The Municipality of South Huron
322 Main Street South, P.O. Box 759
Exeter, ON N0M 1S6
Phone: 519-235-0310

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