Dear Friends,
Today the Ontario government introduced new planning rules to ensure that growth and development occur in a way that supports economic prosperity, protects the environment and helps communities achieve a high quality of life in Ottawa and across the province.
The changes to the Planning Act and the Development Charge Act will give residents a greater, more meaningful say in how their communities grow, reduce the number of applications to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and promote and protect Ottawa Centre’s green space to make sure we maintain our vibrant communities.
The residents, community groups, and neighbourhood associations in Ottawa Centre have been leaders in promoting community-inspired development and today’s announcement reflects their hard work, thoughts, and feedback that is helping build healthy and sustainable communities in Ottawa and across Ontario.
The proposed new rules would:
- Ensure citizens are consulted sooner and have more input into the land use planning process through citizen representatives on municipal planning advisory committees;
- Enhance respect and protection for local official plans when municipalities do comprehensive, up-front planning and zoning;
- Establish a community planning permit system to encourage innovative ways to plan;
- Reduce the number of development applications that go to the Ontario Municipal Board; and
- Require communities to create parks plans to ensure an adequate amount of green space is protected and created in growing neighbourhoods.
These changes will help make sure that the planning process is done right the first time. They will help bring residents, community leaders, developers, local planners, and others together to make sure the community’s voice is heard and respected.
Our government will continue working to make sure local development rules help Ottawa Centre remain a vibrant, healthy and sustainable community.
Should you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact my community office.
Thank you,
Yasir
Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre
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