County of Brant Council approved By-Law 61-23 to adopt the County’s New Official Plan, A Simply Grand Plan on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
“We want to thank our community for engaging and participating in our consultations throughout the last three and a half years,” said Jennifer Boyer, Manager of Policy Planning for the County of Brant. “We are confident that the New Official Plan will help us manage the change and growth in the County of Brant responsibly while maintaining what makes the County of Brant a great place to live, work and play.”
The Official Plan includes provincially mandated growth and population targets, revised community structure, and new land use policies which apply to all lands within the County of Brant. The New Official Plan was undertaken by County Staff along with Watson and Associates Ltd, to align County land use policies with Provincial policy framework and legislative changes.
“The County of Brant’s population is forecasted to grow to 59, 000 people by 2051 and the New Official Plan is a long-range planning tool used to help manage growth and development, guide future development, transportation and infrastructure, implement goals and visions, and meet community needs over the next 30 years,” said Boyer.
The Notice of Adoption has been issued with respect to the County’s New Official Plan to establish the planning framework for accommodating the County of Brant’s forecasted population and employment growth to 2051, in conformity with the A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Sections 17, 21 and 26 of the Planning Act.
As part of next steps, the County will submit the New Official Plan to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for final approval. This Plan will not come into effect until a final decision is issued by the Minister. In accordance with the Planning Act the Official Plan will continue to be updated on a timely basis to ensure policies remain up to date and reflect changing community needs.
