Planning Information

Notice of Temporary Planning Service Adjustments during the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Township of Oro-Medonte has taken proactive precautions with facility closures and alternative means to continue to provide services to our customers. The following adjustments have been made to service levels for receiving and processing planning applications by the Planning Division, until further notice: • Planning Staff continue to work remotely; • E-mail communication will be the preferred method of communication. However, phone calls and voicemails will continue to be received and responded to.

Submission of Planning Applications:

No in-person applications accepted. Township Offices are closed to the public. Requirements for the Commissioning of planning applications are temporarily waived. Planning applications will continue to be accepted through: • Electronic e-mail submission to planning@oro-medonte.ca; • Electronic submission to Dropbox file hosting service (please e-mail planning@oro-medonte.ca for instructions); • Paper submission by Canada Post or courier to Township of Oro-Medonte Administration Office, 148 Line 7 South, Oro-Medonte, L0L 2E0; • Paper submission to secure mail box (envelopes only) located at Administration Office, 148 Line 7 South (Oro Station); or, • Paper submission to secure mail box (envelopes only) located at Fire Station 6, 5668 Line 7 North (Moonstone).

Payments of Planning Applications:

No in-person payments accepted. Township Offices are closed to the public. Payment for planning application fees will be accepted by: • Cheque payable to the Township of Oro-Medonte or applicable agency (e.g. Conservation Authority) and deposited along with planning application to the secure mail boxes noted above; or, • Online payment (please e-mail planning@oro-medonte.ca for instructions).

Public Meetings/Hearings

The Township has implemented alternative electronic formats for the holding Public Meetings/Hearings in order to adhere to physical distancing measures. Public participation will be provided during electronic Council and Development Services Committee Meetings in the Township of Oro-Medonte in accordance with Section 238 (3.3) of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Planning Act, 1990, c.P.13. and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The Township has established a protocol that outlines the public responsibility in order to participate in an electronic meeting via video or telephone. The protocol applies to all members of the public, applicants, consultants, and delegates wishing to participate in an electronic Council or Planning Public Meeting, and continues to be subject to rules of procedure as stated in the Procedural By-law and other Provincial legislation.

For those wishing to provide comments at a Public Meeting/Public Hearing scheduled during a Development Services Committee or Council meeting:

It is recommended that all comments or questions on planning applications be submitted in writing to planning@oro-medonte.ca Written submissions are encouraged at a public meeting and are required to be submitted one (1) hour prior to the meeting, however comments can also be received after the meeting and will be accepted up to the date that Council makes a decision on the matter.
If you are unable to make written submissions and therefore wish to make an oral statement during the planning meeting or public hearing, please submit a completed registration form and email to agendacomment@oro-medonte.ca prior to noon the Monday prior to the scheduled meeting to register or call 705-487- 2040. You will be provided with either an email containing a link to register prior to the meeting or a call in number and the meeting ID.
Written submissions on planning matters will not be read out in their entirety at the meeting but will be forwarded to planning staff for consideration ad the follow up staff report. Council will be apprised of all public comments received prior to making a decision on the application.
If you wish to receive information on a specific planning application or to be notified of an upcoming meeting related to a planning matter please email planning@oro-medonte.ca.
All oral statements will be recorded as part of the electronic meeting and will be posted for public viewing and become part of the public record in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be posted for public viewing on the Township’s YouTube Channel and in the Meeting Agendas on the Township website.

Electronic Public Meetings

Electronic Public Meeting-Public Hearing FAQ for Applicants

Due to the COVID-19 situation and the declared State of Emergency, beginning May 6, 2020 the Township of Oro-Medonte proceeded with Public Meetings and Public Hearings for planning applications via ZOOM technology and will be concurrently broadcasting live to the public via the Township’s YouTube channel. All Public Meetings will be recorded and remain on YouTube following the meeting.
Township staff will give typical Public Meeting/Hearing PowerPoint presentation via ZOOM’s screen share function, as if under normal in person conditions.
The process of Public Meetings-Hearings will follow the standard process which appears on Development Service Committee meeting agendas. Following the Staff presentation, the Chair will give the owner’s representative the opportunity to introduce themselves, share a few words about the proposal, and be available to answer questions from Council or the public. Members of the public will be asked to submit their questions or comments in writing, but they also have the option to speak at the meeting. This form of electronic participation may mean that there are no members of the public speaking in person at the public meeting or public hearing.
To reduce strain on the technology and keep public meetings-hearings streamlined, the Township requests that at this time only one (1) representative of the owner/applicant participate per application as the spokesperson for the application.
Prior to the meeting and subject to submission of a registration form request, Township staff will email the representative a link to connect to the Zoom virtual meeting. The representative will be asked to type in their name, address, phone number and matter they are speaking to. When it is the Representative’s turn to speak, IT will promote them to a ‘live’ ZOOM panelist to participate/speak to Council/Development Services Committee.

Please note you will require a ZOOM account in order to participate. Please reference the following tutorial for details: https://learn-zoom.us/show-me

You will be asked to log in thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the DS Committee meeting to test this functionality.
If there is a problem with the video feed or the representative does not have the technology to appear on video, there is the option to attend via telephone only. Please submit a completed registration form and email to participation@oro-medonte.ca or call (705)-487-4020 by noon on the Monday prior to the scheduled meeting to receive further directions on this option. You will be provided with either an email containing a link to register prior to the meeting or a call in number and the meeting ID.

Please note that depending on volume, telephone numbers may be visible to the public; however, every effort will be made to change the number prior to the participant being promoted to a panelist.

Once promoted to panelist, the Chair will address you permitting you to introduce yourself and speak.

Please note if you are participating by phone that *9 (star nine) on your telephone will give the raise hand option indicating to the host when or if you wish to make an additional comment; and * 6 (star six) will allow you to mute your telephone.

If viewing meeting on YouTube, please mute YouTube prior to being promoted to panelist.

If wishing to speak to more than one item on the agenda, as indicated on your registration form, advise the Chair, then leave the meeting and return to the meeting when the relative item is introduced for discussion.

No later than noon on the Monday prior to the scheduled meeting, please email the assigned Township staff with the following information:

Name of the owner representative;
Email where ZOOM link should be sent; and
Phone number to reach the owner representative should technical difficulties occur.
Presentation maters (e.g. power point)

Submissions received after this time may not be accommodated.
For reference, Protocol for Electronic Participation in Meetings of Council, including participation in Public Planning Meetings can be located at: The Council Portal
In all other respects, the review and approval of your application will follow the usual process.
If you have any questions regarding the process or would like to discuss further please contact the assigned Township staff.

Cannabis Production and Processing Facilities

Council’s decision to pass By-law 2020-046 to regulate locations of cannabis production facilities in the Township was the subject of three (3) appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal (“OLT”). As a result, By-law 2020-046 was unable to take effect, pending the outcome of the appeals process. The appeals process has concluded, with representation of the Township at the OLT hearing by Township staff and legal counsel.

The OLT Chair’s decision allowed the appeals, and directed the Township to repeal By-law 2020-046. The Township is disappointed by the OLT’s decision to not uphold the Township’s By-law 2020-046, to regulate cannabis production and processing facilities.

This decision was received by the Township on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, and reviewed by senior Township staff (Planning division & CAO) and the Township’s legal counsel.

Forming part of the Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Council agenda, Council was updated by the Township’s legal counsel in closed session, given the update from legal counsel pertained to solicitor/client privilege and litigation. In open session, Council passed a motion to appeal the OLT Chair’s decision, directing the Township to repeal By-law 2020-046.

The following motion was passed by Council in open session:

Moved by Schell, Seconded by Bard

“Be it resolved

1. That the confidential memorandum correspondence dated February 3, 2023 from Chris Williams and Andrea Skinner, Aird & Berlis LLP and confidential verbal information presented by Robin Dunn, CAO, Chris Williams and Andrea Skinner, Aird & Berlis LLP re: litigation affecting the Municipality/Solicitor-client privilege (Legal Update, Cannabis, Zone 1 Water) be received.

2. That staff and legal counsel proceed with the leave to appeal and the review request of the tribunal decision of January 25, 2023 with respect to cannabis.”

Further information regarding the appeals can be found on the Ontario Land Tribunal’s case status page by visiting Case Status (powerappsportals.com) and searching Case No. PL200194. To review the OLT’s decision, please see OLT's Decision - January 25, 2023.

Residents and business owners are reminded the Township’s Zoning By-law defines permitted uses on properties throughout the township. If you have specific questions regarding your property and its permitted use, please contact Township Municipal Law & Planning division staff.

For further background regarding Provincial and Federal regulations pertaining to cannabis, please see the list of documents provided below:

Documents

Notice of Passing

Cannabis Notice of Public Meeting

Cannabis Draft Zoning By-law Amendment

Ontario Cannabis Laws

Government of Canada Information

Short Term Rental Accommodations

General Background

Similar to multiple communities throughout Ontario, Township Council and staff have received complaints and concerns, from Oro-Medonte residents regarding short term rental accommodations and their use under Zoning By-law 97-95, excessive noise, and nuisances resulting from renting accommodations.

Over the past several years, the Township’s Municipal Law division has followed a complaint based approach to monitor, manage, and enforce Zoning By-law 97-95 pertaining to short term rental accommodations, which are considered and identified as problematic.

In 2020 Council passed By-law 2020-073 to provide clarity with respect to the existing prohibition on short term rental accommodations in the Township by adding a definition for "Commercial Accommodation."
By-law 2020-073 was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal ("OLT") (file PL200395) and a hearing was held from March 22, 2022 to March 29, 2022.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the Chair issued a brief Oral Decision, and By-law 2020-073 was repealed as a result of the decision and is no longer in effect.

The OLT’s March 29, 2022 oral decision was followed up in August 2022 with a more detailed written decision.

Special Meetings of Council were held after both the OLT’s oral and written decisions; at which time, Council considered options and provided direction, with input from Township staff and legal counsel.
Forming part of the Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Council agenda, Council was updated by the Township’s legal counsel in closed session, given the update from legal counsel pertained to solicitor/client privilege and litigation. In open session, Council passed the following motion:

Moved by Clark Seconded by Young

"Be it resolved

1. That the confidential memorandum correspondence dated February 3, 2023 from Chris Williams and Andrea Skinner, Aird & Berlis LLP and confidential verbal information presented by Robin Dunn, CAO, Chris Williams and Andrea Skinner, Aird & Berlis LLP re: litigation affecting the Municipality/Solicitor-client privilege (Legal Update, Short Term Rentals) be received.

2. That staff and legal counsel proceed with the leave to appeal and refrain from participating in negotiations/mediations at this time. Re: Short term rentals.

Technical Background Specific to Zoning By-law 97-95

Within the Township’s Zoning By-law 97-95, a dwelling unit is defined as the following:

"One or more rooms in a building, designed as, or intended as, or capable of being used or occupied as a single independent housekeeping unit and containing living, sleeping, sanitary and food preparation facilities or facilities for the installation of kitchen equipment and has an independent entrance. For the purposes of this By-law, a dwelling unit does not include any commercial accommodation or a recreational trailer."

Within the Village One (V1) zone identified in Zoning By-law 97-95, the following is permitted regarding short term rentals/accommodation:

"Timeshare - defined as a commercial use that contains accommodation units that are either held in two or more ownership’s, with the occupancy of each unit being shared by the owners, or which are held in one ownership with each of the units available to be rented, leased, or used by different parties on a weekly basis.

Village Commercial Resort Unit - defined as a dwelling unit in a building where culinary and sanitary services are provided for the exclusive use of the dwelling unit, and the dwelling unit may be part of a rental or lease management program which includes housekeeping services where the dwelling unit is rented or leased to others than the unit owner for a period of time under a rental or lease agreement program."

The following areas in the Township are currently zoned under Zoning By-law 97-95 to permit a timeshare or commercial unit allowing for short term rental accommodation:
- Horseshoe Resort Condos
- The Carriage Hills and Carriage Ridge developments

It is important to understand that under Zoning By-law 97-95, short term rental accommodations are not legally permitted within the majority of areas/zones throughout the Township.

Given the decision of the Ontario Land Tribunal, and in an effort to address problematic rental accommodations, primarily due to their use, believed to be rented for short durations of time resulting in excessive noise and nuisance, the Municipal Law division will be taking a more active approach effective immediately with enforcement of the Township’s Zoning By-law 97-95. It is important to note that individuals found to be contravening Zoning By-law 97-95 may be charged.

Should you have a complaint regarding a short term rental accommodation contravention of a Township of Oro-Medonte By-law, please contact Municipal Law Enforcement Staff at 705-487-2171.