Notice of Special Public Meeting for the Official Plan Review

MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP

NOTICE OF SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING

FOR THE OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW

The Montague Township has initiated a review of its Official Plan and will hold a Special Public Meeting under Section 26(3)(b) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended.

You are invited to participate in this special public meeting for the Official Plan Review and present your opinion on what may need to be reviewed and updated in the Township's Official Plan.

AND FURTHER, TAKE NOTICE that because of the COVID-19 PANDEMIC the Corporation of Montague Township will hold a AN ELECTRONIC SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING ON:

Date:September 9th, 2020

Time:6:00 pm

Location:virtual

THIS WILL BE AN ELECTRONIC PUBLIC MEETING WHERE THERE WILL BE NO PHYSICAL IN PERSON ATTENDANCE DUE TO COVID-19. THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED TO WATCH THE MEETING LIVE ON THE ZOOM LINK AND ALSO PROVIDE INPUT ELECTRONICALLY, AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS, PRIOR TO THE MEETING OR FOLLOWING THE MEETING.

Please note, as a result of COVID-19 you are strongly encouraged to contact the Township if you have any questions prior to the Special Public Meeting and either provide written comments or verbal comments prior to the Special Public Meeting.The electronic public meeting will be broadcast live using Zoom and there will be opportunities for public input during the meeting, however to ensure that your comments are clearly understood and received prior to Council making a decision, you are strongly encouraged to submit comments prior to the Public Meeting even if you intend to try and attend the electronic Public Meeting.Instructions on how to dial in and or connect the electronic public meeting are available by visiting the Official Plan Review & Update website or by contacting the Township office at 613-283-7478 or at .

What is an Official Plan?

The Official Plan is a statement of goals, objectives and policies to guide future growth, land use and development within the Montague Township for the next 20 years and beyond. The Township's current Official Plan was approved in 2011.

Why are we reviewing our Official Plan?

The purpose of the Official Plan Review is to update the policies to conform to Provincial planning legislation and the County of Lanark Sustainable Communities Official Plan, as well as to consider comments by the public and agencies.

The Planning Act requires that a municipality's Official Plan be updated at least every five years. As the Township continues to develop and change, it is important to check the effectiveness of the Official Plan to ensure its collective vision is being realized, and to improve and enhance our policies to help the Township achieve its strategic goals and objectives.

Why your feedback is important:

The Official Plan affects everyone in Montague Township. Your vision and input is important for the Township to undertake a truly effective review of its Official Plan. Public consultation provides the opportunity for residents to participate in shaping the future vision and direction of the Montague Township.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL is to discuss suggested changes that may be required to the Official Plan. It is intended to provide an initial opportunity for the public to offer comments regarding any issue or matter that should be considered during the Official Plan Review process and to provide input to areas of the current Official Plan that should be changed or addressed differently in the Updated Official Plan. Please note that there will be ongoing opportunities to participate in this process.

Anyone wishing to address Council with respect to the Official Plan Review will be given an opportunity to do so at the Virtual Public Meeting. You are also encouraged to provide written comments to Council prior to and after the Special Public Meeting. Please be aware that if you are submitting comments to the Township concerning the Official Plan Review, your name and any personal information Included with your comments will become part of the public record.

The Township's current Official Plan and other resource information regarding the Official Plan Review and Update is available for inspection online at:

https://www.montaguetownship.ca/government/official-plan-lh/official-plan

For additional information or to be added to the project mailing list, please contact:

Jasmin Ralph,

Clerk Administrator, Township of Montague

6547 roger Stevens Drive

P.O. Box 755

Smith Falls, ON K7A 4W6

613-283-7478 ext. 210

www.township.montague.on.ca

Dated at the Montague Township this 29^th day of July, 2020