The Planning Act of Ontario requires municipalities to regularly review their Official Plans to reflect updates to legislation, Provincial plans and policies, and regional government plans. The purpose of our proposed new Official Plan is to update and replace the existing Township of Ramara Official Plan (2003). The review of the Township’s Official Plan began in 2017 and was put on hold due to extenuating circumstances. The project was reinitiated in 2023 with additional open houses and updates to reflect with newly introduced Provincial legislative changes.

Official Plan Review

Our Official Plan is a long-term plan that provides a policy framework for the following:

  • making land use planning decisions

  • managing resources

  • protecting the environment

  • setting a structure for guiding growth and development.

Official Plan Update - January 30, 2025

The proposed Official Plan final draft is posted below, along with a Comment Matrix that addresses agency/public input submitted in response to the proposed plan.  

A staff report and recommendation will be provided to Council for discussion at the upcoming 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting anticipated for April 2025, provided that the outstanding comments from authorities having jurisdiction are received.

Draft Official Plan (Final)   

Comment Matrix

2024 Maps and Schedules

Note - Schedules Updated January 15, 2025 for Final Draft

Draft Official Plan Schedules are available on the GIS Mapping:

View Mapping

Local Basis for the Official Plan

The updated Official Plan contains goals, objectives and policies that guide Township Council, its committees, boards, officials and the public with regard to land use.  The local basis for the official plan includes:

  • ­Planning for population and employment growth in accordance with the County of Simcoe Official Plan to 2031
  • Analyze and protect natural functions and hazard lands
  • Protect and maintain the local Greenlands system and agricultural areas
  • Identify and plan residential and economic growth within existing settlement areas, identifying housing types and densities for sustainable and complete communities. 

New designations in the proposed Official Plan include the Greenlands Designation and provides for differentiation between Village and Rural Settlement Areas to direct growth.   Additional and updated Schedules are included for the Atherley-Uptergrove Secondary Plan, recent changes to the Brechin and Lagoon City Settlement Areas, Natural Heritage overlay mapping and Aquifer Vulnerability.

Key Themes

The Townships Official Plan review is focused on the following key themes:

  • Vision and Guiding Principles 
  • Complete Communities and Balanced Growth
  • Housing 
  • Community Design and Heritage
  • Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Agriculture and Rural Lands

Comments

Comments will continue to be collected through the Public Consultation Form. 

Submit comments

FAQ

Submit a question you would like answered to planning@ramara.ca.  The answer to the question will be added below.

Why do we need to update the Official Plan?

In Section 26(1) of the Planning Act, it outlines the requirements for updating an existing Official Plan. An approved Official Plan can be reviewed at any time, but each local council must update its official plan at least ten years from the date the plan came into effect in the case of a new comprehensive official plan. When an Official Plan is not being replaced, it should be updated at least every five years. This ensures the plan is consistent with Provincial policies and conforms and/or does not conflict with provincial plans, as required. If the plan is inconsistent or conflicts with the statement, the plan is expected to be updated.

The Official Plan update is also an opportunity to ensure the official plan continues to address local priorities and changing community needs. The Township of Ramara Official Plan was enacted on July 31, 2003. The updating of the document was delayed due to the County of Simcoe Official Plan update, which was approved by the County of Simcoe in 2008; however, it was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. The document was finally approved in 2016, and the Township of Ramara must now bring our Official Plan into conformity with the County's approved plan.

How is it that Transportation in Schedule F consists of a map of Ramara that does not even show the Lake St John Airport? Is that all we have for our transportation plan?

The Transportation Plan schedule does not include the Rama Orillia Regional Airport on Lake St. John, as the airport is privately owned and under Federal jurisdiction. 

Please tell me where the latest draft of the new OP is located.
The Draft Official Plan with schedules can be accessed above. 

How can I provide feedback on the Draft Official Plan?

The public can provide feedback at the open houses or directly to staff during the comment period. You can also submit comments on directly through our Public Consultation Form.  

 

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Draft Official Plan Document - Presented in 2023

Draft Official Plan

Maps and Schedules

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