Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review

Every property within Grey Highlands is subject to policies in the Zoning By-law. A zoning by-law is a legal document passed under Section 34 of the Planning Act. It is considered “applicable law” under the Ontario Building Code Act and is intended to reduce conflict between incompatible land uses, as well as to be an implementation tool that gives effect to the Municipality’s Official Plan.

A zoning by-law contains provisions to control:

• What a property can be used for;
• How big the property or structure can be;
• Where buildings can be placed;
• How tall, what size, and how many buildings can be built; and
• How many parking spaces are needed, and where the parking spaces can be located.

The by-law consists of maps to show what zone each property is in and the permitted uses for each zone.  

Why is the Municipality updating the Zoning By-law?

The Municipality of Grey Highlands’ current Zoning By-law 2004-50 was adopted by Council on October 24, 2005. Since then there have been several amendments to the Zoning By-law and numerous changes in legislation and policy, including amendments to the Planning Act, a new Provincial Policy Statement, a new Grey County Official Plan, and an updated Municipality of Grey Highlands Official Plan.

The Municipality of Grey Highlands Official Plan was approved by the County of Grey on September 14, 2017, and by the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal on April 27, 2020. As per Section 26 (9) of the Planning Act, the Municipality is required to review and update its Zoning By-law to ensure conformity with the recently approved OP.

For further information on the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement, Citizen’s Guide to Land Use Planning, Grey County Official Plan, and Municipality of Grey Highlands Official Plan please visit:

• Planning Act
• Provincial Policy Statement 
• Citizen’s Guide to Land Use Planning
• Grey County Official Plan
• Grey Highlands Official Plan
• Grey Highlands Zoning By Law

What will the Comprehensive Review include?

The comprehensive Zoning By-law review will include:

• A review of zoning of all lands within Grey Highlands (this includes your property)
• A review of the existing Zoning By-law compared to the Official Plan
• An analysis of zoning trends
• A discussion of zoning issues (you can get involved here)
• A new Zoning By-law (another place for you to comment)

The comprehensive Zoning By-law review will not:

• Explore matters that are not appropriately resolved through zoning
• Deal with requests to change zoning on specific properties that are more appropriately dealt with through private development applications

Where are we at?

• Phase 1: Project Initiation (June to August 2021) 
  • Work Program
  • Public Consultation Strategy
  • Project Commencement Notification
• Phase 2: Background Review (August 2021 to February 2022)
  • Collecting and Reviewing Background Information
  • Seeking Input from Stakeholders
  • Technical Review of the Current Zoning By-law
  • Discussion Papers & Background Report
• Phase 3: Preparation of Draft Zoning By-law (March to July 2022)
• Phase 4: Statutory Public Meeting (August/September 2022)
• Phase 5: Refinement and Finalization of Zoning By-law (September to November 2022)
• Phase 6: Passing of Zoning By-law (November/December 2022)

How can you participate in this process?

Participation in the Review process is important so that the Zoning By-law reflects the community’s desires for the future of the Municipality. The Municipality will be hosting Open Houses and Public Meetings to ensure that the public is informed of the changes and have an opportunity to provide input.

To stay informed about this process, please Subscribe to Alerts, located in the bottom right corner of the website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or, of course, read about it in the newspaper.

The Municipality welcomes and encourages the public to participate in this process. Comments can be provided by written submission to:

Michael Benner, MCIP RPP

Director, Planning and Building Services

The Municipality of Grey Highlands

Email: bennerm@greyhighlands.ca

Tel : 519-986-2811 ext. 102     

Jason Ferrigan, RPP, MCIP, MSc.Pl.,

Senior Planner

J.L. Richards & Associates Ltd.

Email:  jferrigan@jlrichards.ca

Gaurang Khandelwal, M.A.

Planner

J.L. Richards & Associates Ltd.

Email: gkhandelwal@jlrichards.ca