The provincial government has officially approved Perth County's new Official Plan.
Warden Doug Kellum says the previous plan was well over 25-years-old, and needed an upgrade.
"I am excited to receive news of the approval of our New Official Plan by the Province," Kellum stated. "The update is long overdue and this document will provide us with modern policies to pave the way for a bright future in Perth County. County Council is grateful to all staff who have contributed a significant effort to bring this new document to fruition."
Ultimately, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack made 79 modifications to the plan that was submitted last fall. Warden Kellum says the recommendations will help the county on a number of fronts, including housing supply and land use compatibility.
"For sure what this will do, and types of housing and affordability is very, very high on our radar, but the biggest thing this will do I think, it's going to reduce the red tape as fewer development applications will require an official plan," Kellum said.
Kellum adds the plan is essentially a broad strategic document that will help council make good decisions regarding the future of the county in some key areas. That includes agricultural land management, which Kellum says is hugely important for the area.
"This is number one usually on our radar. We try to protect as much farm land as we can. This new guideline, it's going to protect agricultural land, it's going to protect the natural environment and it's also going to protect the culture of the heritage conservation," shared Kellum.
Also, maintaining heritage and cultural areas in the county is a key strategic goal in the plan, something Kellum says is vital to residents that call Perth County home now and in the future.
"We need to maintain it. If we just go out on a limb and do whatever we want, we're not going to preserve the cultural heritage and conservation, and that's another thing that's first and foremost for us. But, you can't please everyone, and you do the best you can," Kellum emphasized.
Kellum notes that any concerns regarding cultural and heritage areas or properties can be brought to council for discussion.
The plan also has strategic outlooks for managing things like agricultural land uses and lot creation, natural features and areas, non-agricultural uses, mineral aggregate resources and operations, cultural heritage resources, stormwater management, utilities, definitions and schedule mapping.
The new official plan will be available soon on the county website here: www.perthcounty.ca/OfficialPlan.
