A NOTICE OF OPEN HOUSE & DRAFT NEW OFFICIAL PLAN

TAKE NOTICE that the fourth (4^th) Open House and Statutory Public Meeting are scheduled to receive public comments on the Township’s proposed  new Official Plan (under subsections 17(15) and 17(16) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended, regarding a proposed new Official Plan under Section 26 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended) as follows:

1. Public Open House: Wednesday April 8^th, 2026 at 5:00p.m. at the Thornton Arena, 246 Barrie Street, Thornton.
2. Statutory Public Meeting: Wednesday April 15^th, 2026 at 6:00p.m. at the Township of Essa Administration Centre, 5786 County Road 21

PURPOSE AND EFFECT

The Township of Essa has released a second draft of its proposed new Official Plan for public review and consultation. The new Official Plan will replace the Township’s current Official Plan (2001) and modernize land use planning policy to responsibly and sustainably guide the Township’s growth until 2051.  As the new Official Plan also impacts what you can do with your property, and how your community will be shaped, we encourage you to learn more and share your insights on this important Township initiative. You are invited to participate in the community engagement opportunities listed below and provide your feedback, either in person, in writing, or via email.

SUBJECT LANDS

The proposed new Township of Essa Official Plan applies to all lands within the municipal boundary of the Township of Essa. Therefore, no key map is included in this notice.

OPEN HOUSE

The Open House will be held on Wednesday April 8^th, 2026 between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm at the Thornton Recreation Centre located at 246 Barrie Street, Thornton. The session will include a presentation by Planning Staff and following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for the public to review the proposed new Official Plan and ask questions.

STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING

The statutory public meeting will be held as part of the Township’s regularly scheduled Council meeting on Wednesday April 15th, 2026 at 6:00p.m. at the Township of Essa Administration Centre, 5786 County Road 21.  The meeting will be for the proposed new Official Plan with a presentation by Planning Staff and following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for the public and Council to ask questions, make comments or seek clarification.

There will be a commenting period from March 26, 2026, to 12 pm noon on April 15^th, 2026.  People can send their written comments through letters, faxes or emails. The Clerk’s contact information can be found in the notice below.

Written comments received will not be placed on the agenda; however, they will be received by the Clerk’s Department and kept on record with the file, reviewed by the Planning Department, and entered into the public record at a future date.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed new Official Plan is available for inspection during regular office hours at the Township of Essa Administration Centre or by contacting the Planning Department via email: plan@essatownship.on.ca. and on our website at Official Plan Review - Essa Township

NOTIFICATION OF ADOPTION

If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed New Official Plan, you must make a written request to the Township Clerk, Township of Essa, Administration Centre, 5786 County Road #21, Utopia, ON, L0M 1T0 (kpascoe@essatownship.on.ca).  Such requests must include the name and mailing address/email address to which such notice should be sent. 

APPROVAL AUTHORITY

Please note that the County of Simcoe will be the approval authority for the Township of Essa. If you wish to be notified of the decision of the County of Simcoe on the proposed New Official Plan, you must make a written request to the County Clerk, County of Simcoe, 1110 Highway 26, Administration Centre, Midhurst, Ontario L9X 1N6, or via email at: clerks@simcoe.ca

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the County of Simcoe to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at the public meeting or make written submissions to the Township of Essa before the new Official Plan is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township of Essa before the new Official Plan is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

NOTICE OF COLLECTION, USE, AND DISCLOSURE

Please note that comments may not be replied to individually, but all comments will be collected and reviewed by Township staff, for consideration in the final Official Plan and recommendations to Council. The content and any personal information in comment submissions will become part of the public record and may be provided to Council in an agenda package available to the public. All information submitted to the Township is subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information Act and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).  If you have concerns regarding the public release of your Official Plan comments, please contact the Clerk, Township of Essa, Administration Centre, 5786 County Road #21, Utopia, ON, L0M 1T0 (kpascoe@essatownship.on.ca).

DATED at the Township of Essa this 26th day of March 2026.       

Yours truly,

Owen Curnew

Development Planner

Township of Essa