Official plan review heads to the finish line
Since October 2007, Planning staff have worked on revisions to the city’s official plan in consultation with community groups, government agencies, business and other stakeholder groups. This review is not a return to first principles; rather a refresh of the existing policies in light of the provincial policy statement requiring a review of the official plan every five years.
The review has undergone extensive public consultation through the development of white papers and rural discussion papers, and the preliminary proposals for changes to the official plan and the infrastructure master plan.
As required by Section 26 of the Planning Act, the City of Ottawa will hold special meetings in November to discuss the revisions that may be required to the Official Plan and the Infrastructure Master Plan.
New rules apply for 2009 Official Plan Review
Since we determined the date for the Special Meeting at Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) for the official plan review, residents have been asking questions about how to make formal submissions. This information summarizes how the upcoming Special Meetings in November fit with the entire Official Plan review process.
It is important to remember that a resident must:
Make an oral submission at the Official Public Meeting on March 24, 2009 or
Submit a written submission before the April 2009 Council meeting to safeguard his or her ability to appeal all or part of the Official Plan Amendment.
Official Plan Review process takes several steps
For the Official Plan Review, the proposed timing and purpose of events is shown below.
The timeline for the Infrastructure Master Plan (IMP) is the same, however the IMP only requires approval of City Council.
Special Meeting:
November 24, 2008 Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) and November 27, 2008 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC). These meetings will provide comprehensive information to Councillors and the public on the proposed changes to the Official Plan. Emphasis will be placed on rural issues at the November 27 meeting. The committees shall have regard to any written submissions about what revisions may be required and shall give any person who attends this special meeting an opportunity to be heard on that subject. However, this is not the “official” public meeting and it is not necessary to make a submission at this time.
Tabling of Official Plan Amendment: January 27, 2009 at PEC.
Staff will table the proposed changes to initiate the Official Plan amendment process and provide instructions explaining how residents may register to receive notice of Council’s decision in April 2009.
Public Open House
Staff will hold at least one open house between January 27, 2009 and February 27, 2009 to give residents an opportunity to review the proposed changes and ask questions about the information and material made available at PEC on January 27, 2009.
Official Public Meeting: March 24, 2009 at PEC
Every person who attends this meeting will have an opportunity to make representations in respect of the proposed official plan amendment. PEC will recommend an Official Plan Amendment to Council based on what is submitted by staff, heard at the Official Public Meeting or received from residents by written submissions before April 2009.
Adoption of Plan by City Council: April 2009
The date for adoption will be determined once the Official Public Meeting on March 24 is completed. Council will consider the recommendations of PEC and make a decision on what to accept or change. Submissions by residents on the Amendment will not be accepted at this meeting of Council.Once Council adopts an Official Plan Amendment, it is submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. Council will also give notice of its decision to each person or public body that filed with the clerk of the City a written request to be notified if the plan is adopted. Instructions on how to make this request will be available when the draft Official Plan Amendment is tabled in January.
Decision of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: Estimated arrival -end of 2009
The Minister may approve, modify and approve as modified, or refuse to approve the Official Plan Amendment. The decision of the Minister will be provided to the municipality and to each person or public body that made a written request to be notified of the decision.
Appeal Period
Once the Minister issues a decision, residents have 20 days within which they
may appeal all or part of that decision. In order to do so, the appellant must have made:
an oral submission at the Official Public Meeting on March 24, 2009 or
a written submission some time before the April 2009 Council meeting
Committee reports are available on the City’s website seven days in advance of the meeting. Reports can also be mailed to residents upon request.
Residents registered for our e-newsletters will be kept informed of each step of the official plan review process.
https://ottawa.ca/residents/public_c.../index_en.html
Upcoming Events
Notice of Special Meetings
Official Plan Review
Planning and Environment Committee
November 24, 2008
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
November 27, 2008
9:30 a.m.
Champlain Room
Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West