2024-03-28 Notice of Adoption By-Law - OPA No 58 (Public Participation and Consultation)

Notice of Adoption

Pursuant to Subsection 17(23) of the Planning Act

Amendment 58 to the Muskoka Official Plan

(Public Participation and Consultation)

A decision was made by Muskoka District Council to pass District By-law 2024-08, adopting Amendment 58 to the Official Plan of the Muskoka District Area (i.e. Muskoka Official Plan)

Purpose and Effect of the Official Plan Amendment

The purpose of the Official Plan Amendment is to add alternative public consultation measures to allow for efficient and effective public notification of Planning Act applications, in the absence of a locally circulated print newspaper. The District shall use a variety of communication methods to seek input on planning matters and to provide information to the public. The district shall choose the most appropriate method of communication, which may include any or all of the following:

i. Personal service or prepaid first class mail;
ii. e-mail;
iii. public notice signs;
iv. surveys, electronic or mail-out;
v. neighbourhood open houses and/or public information centres;
vi. neighbourhood working groups or focus groups;
vii. information meetings;
viii. statutory public meetings;
ix. electronically circulated newspaper;
x. District website or internet engagement platforms; and/or,
xi. Any other methods as deemed necessary by the District Clerk.

A copy of By-law 2024-08, which includes the amendment, is attached.

Public Comments Considered

Fifteen (15) written submissions were received regarding the proposed amendment. A summary of the comments received and how they were considered or addressed is included in Community and Planning services Report, CPS-2-2024-4 dated February 22, 2024.

When and How to File an Appeal of the Decision

A notice of appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) (formerly Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT)) of the decision must be received by The District Municipality of Muskoka no later than 20 days from the date of this notice, as shown above as the last day of appeal. The appeal must:

i) set out the specific part(s) of the Official Plan Amendment to which the appeal applies;
ii) set out the reasons for the appeal; and
iii) be accompanied by the fee prescribed under the Ontario Land Tribunal Act in the amount of $1,100.00 payable to the Minister of Finance.

A notice of appeal should be filed with:
Amy Back, Clerk
District Municipality of Muskoka
70 Pine Street, Bracebridge,
ON Canada, PIL 1N3

Who Can Appeal a Decision

Only individuals, corporations or public bodies may appeal a decision of the Council of The District Municipality of Muskoka to the Ontario Land Tribunal. A notice of appeal may not be made by any unincorporated association or group. However, a notice of appeal may be filed in the name of an individual who is a member of the association or group on its behalf.

No person or public body shall be added as a party to the hearing of the appeal unless, before the Official Plan Amendment was adopted, the person or public body made oral submissions at a public meeting or written submissions to The District Municipality of Muskoka or unless, in the opinion of the Ontario Land Tribunal, there are reasonable ground to add the person or public body as a party.

When the Decision is Final

The proposed Official Plan Amendment is exempt from approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and housing, and the decision of Muskoka District Council is final if a notice of appeal is not received before or on the last day for filing a notice of appeal.

Additional Information

For additional information about the Amendment or your appeal rights, contact Sarah Campbell, Planner at (705) 645-2100 ext. 4128 or 1-800-461-4210 (in the 705 area code), or [email protected].

View the complete notice:2024-03-28 Notice of Adoption By-Law - OPA No 58 (Public Participation and Consultation)

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