On June 26, 2024, the County of Lanark approved the Township’s new updated Official Plan. The process started in May 2021 and represents the culmination of 18 months of public input. The updated Official Plan brings the Township into compliance with the PPS 2020, only the second such municipality in Lanark County.

Some of the more notable advancements include:

• Clarification of when hydrogeological assessments are required for consent application. No longer required to hydrogeological assessments for multiple consent applications or when new lot is next to existing lots.

• Introduction of a natural heritage system which protects all water resources with a 30 m setback. This also includes the removal of deer yard protection with broader more general natural area protection.

• Introduction of better tools to manage and regulate the redevelopment of waterfront properties - introduces the concept of net environmental gain as a tool to measure overall waterfront improvements.  Existing waterfront development non-conforming rights are clearly identified in the new policies.

• Includes supportive policies on cluster lot developments, the use of communal serving technology and policies supportive of the provision of affordable housing.

The Official Plan is a Township’s policy that establishes a long-range planning blueprint for land uses and resource management within the Township.  It also sets out land use designations for lands within the municipality, such as residential, commercial, and industrial designations. These categories establish permitted uses and other criteria for development proposed within each land use. The vision set out in the Official Plan is implemented through the Zoning By-law. New developments that do not conform to the plan obtain the approval of an Official Plan Amendment.

The Official Plan and schedules are available on the Township’s website www.lanarkhighlands.ca.  For more information, call the Township office at 613-259-2398.