OFA provided a written submission to ERO # 025-0461 on proposed amendments related to minor variances, Minster’s Zoning Orders (MZOs), study requirements for complete applications, and streamlined planning approval for schools under schedule 7 of Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025.
Bill 17 proposed that some minor variances should be as-of-right within urban residential areas; OFA is pleased this change does not apply to rural areas. The bill also proposed granting the Minister the ability to apply conditions to MZOs by way of registered agreements, which is a power consistent with those of other planning authorities.
Bill 17 also proposed putting limits on what studies and planning documentation a municipality may require of an applicant before their proposal is deemed to be a complete application. OFA cautioned that Agricultural Impact Assessments (AIAs), documentation required under the Minimum Distance Separation Formulae (MDS), and other policy requirements under the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) must be included in the list of materials allowed as planning requirements.
Lastly, OFA commented that new schools enabled by the streamlining of planning requirements should be strategic such that Ontario’s rural population may access and enjoy high-quality education.
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