Barrie Construction News staff writer
The County of Simcoe is taking the next step in tackling local housing challenges with the rollout of its Housing Attainable Supply Action Plan (ASAP), a strategic initiative designed to boost the supply of diverse and affordable housing across the region.
Actions are included for the county and its 16 municipal partners to help residents find reasonably priced homes in their own communities. A key component of the Housing ASAP is the creation of a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) Template, which includes a model Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Community Planning Permit (CPP) bylaw.
Changes are intended to help municipalities streamline their planning processes and accelerate housing development.
To introduce the project and gather public feedback, the county will host an in-person information session on Nov. 24, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Simcoe County Administration Centre, 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst. Registration is required by emailing Kristin.Pechkovsky@simcoe.ca
The session will feature a presentation by Planscape Incorporated, the county’s planning consultant, outlining how the CPPS can consolidate zoning bylaw amendments, minor variances, and site plan control into a single approval process.
The CPPS is a discretionary land use planning tool that aims to make housing approvals more efficient while maintaining community input and local priorities. It gives municipalities flexibility to impose conditions related to affordable housing, urban design, landscaping, and environmental protection.
- Stage 1: Project initiation and background review
- Stage 2: Consultation and draft documents
- Stage 3: Final model CPPS OPA and CPP
Once complete, the CPP bylaw will allow municipalities to issue development permits for projects that meet established standards, helping bring new homes to market faster and more transparently.