REVIEW OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH ZONING BY-LAW

The Township of Woolwich has initiated a review of the Zoning By-law.

Below you can find out information on what this review will entail and how you can participate.

What is the Township of Woolwich Zoning By-law?

It is a By-law passed by Council, which implements and is in conformity with the Township of Woolwich Official Plan to control the use of land and the use and construction of buildings/structures in Woolwich Township. For example, it states exactly:

• How land may be used;
• Where buildings and other structure can be located;
• The type of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used;
• The minimum and maximum lot sizes, parking requirements, building height and setback from a property line; and
• Other building and land use controls as deemed appropriate.

Why is the Township reviewing their Zoning By-law?

The Township’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law currently in effect is By-law 55-86, first approved by Council in August of 1986 and resulted in the repealing of previous Zoning By-laws from a portion of old townships and town that now comprise the Township of Woolwich. Since 1986, Zoning By-law 55-86 has been amended from time to time through approval of private driven zoning applications and through general amendments/reviews initiated by the Township. In June of 2022 a new Township of Woolwich Official Plan was approved to generally bring it into conformity with the latest Regional Official Plan and be consistent with Provincial. The Planning Act requires municipalities to update their Zoning By-law no later than 3 years after an update to their Official Plan. In Woolwich’s case, 3 years after the June 2022 approval of the new Woolwich Official Plan or by June of 2025. Pursuant to the Planning Act, this review will bring the Township Zoning By-law into conformity with the Township of Woolwich Official Plan, and by extension into conformity with the other Provincial and Regional planning policies in effect.

What stage is the Township at with its Zoning By-law Review?

Township Staff has reviewed the relevant Provincial, Regional and Woolwich policy documents and consulted internally with the various departments and certain outside agencies to prepare an initial draft of a proposed new Zoning By-law for public review and consultation.

The proposed draft will significantly alter the structure and format of the Zoning By-law and includes, deletes and revises several zones, provisions and mapping to conform to Township, Regional and Provincial planning policies.

The nature and scope of these proposed changes has resulted in Staff preparing a new Township Zoning By-law.

VIEW the Draft Zoning By-law sections and mapping to the right.

How will the Public be Involved?

The Township will be holding three open houses scheduled as follows:

• Elmira - Thursday September 21st from 4 to 7 pm in the Council Chambers, Township Administration Building, 24 Church Street West, Elmira;
• Breslau - Monday September 25th from 4 to 7 pm in the Empire Room, Breslau Community Centre, 100 Andover Drive, Breslau; and
• St. Jacobs - Wednesday September 27th from 4 to 7 pm at the St. Jacobs Lions Hall, 31 Parkside Drive, St. Jacobs.

VIEW the Display Boards from the above open house events to the right.

A formal public meeting, pursuant to the Planning Act, will follow the open houses to provide another opportunity for the public to express their comments, and request to be kept informed.

Notice of these meetings will be provided in the Woolwich Observer, by following this page, as well as through a general mailout to agencies and all property owners within the Township of Woolwich.

Next Steps after public consultation?

At a future date, once staff have been able to review all of the public comments and make edits accordingly, a recommendation report will be presented to Council. All those who wished to be kept informed will be notified at that time, as well as this page will be updated.

Please continue to monitor this page for the date and time of upcoming open houses, a draft copy of the new Zoning By-law and an overview of the proposed changes.