South Frontenac Township is set to host a series of Open Houses this spring, inviting residents to provide feedback on the second draft of its Official Plan, a key planning tool that establishes how growth and development will occur in the Township for the next 25 years.
The Official Plan includes policies to facilitate housing and economic development while protecting important assets such as lakes, the natural environment, and agricultural lands. The last update to the plan was made in 2003, and since then, there have been several updates to the Planning Act and the Provincial Policy Statement. The new Plan must also incorporate the County of Frontenac Official Plan.
The second draft of the Plan was presented to Council in January 2023, with most of the changes made from the first draft being minor and technical in nature. The changes were made with input from agencies and First Nation and Indigenous communities.
“We’re basically looking at 20 years of planning policy updates to make,” says Brad Wright, Director, Development Services for South Frontenac. “The heart of the plan is outlining where growth will happen in the Township in the next 25 years with half of the growth happening in settlement areas and half through severances of rural lands.”
“The overall goal of our new Official Plan is to balance this growth with environmental leadership and protection of our outstanding natural assets to enhance the lifestyle, rural character, and economic opportunities in South Frontenac” says Mr. Wright.
Mayor Ron Vandewal spoke about the process of updating the Plan, saying, “It’s been two years since we started the process of updating the Plan. We invite all residents to come out to an Open House to learn more about what’s in the Official Plan and what it will mean for South Frontenac.”
Open Houses were held in late 2021 to get public input on the first draft of the Plan. The upcoming spring Open Houses and Public Meeting are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – 7:00 pm (In Person) at Verona Lions Hall, 4504 Sand Road, Verona; Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – 7:00 pm (In Person) at Storrington Centre – 3910 Battersea Road, Sunbury; and Tuesday, May 30, 2023 – 7:00 pm (Virtual and In Person) Statutory Public Meeting at South Frontenac Council Chambers – 4432 George St, Sydenham.
The new Official Plan, when passed, will result in increased drinking water and environmental protection, the opportunity to create more diverse housing for an aging population, and economic development to meet the daily needs of residents throughout their lives to ultimately result in more resilient communities.
Residents who wish to learn more about the Official Plan can visit engagefrontenac.ca.
Photo (submitted): Township of South Frontenac
