The Township has a strong attachment to its rural character. Efficient land use and development patterns can support strong, livable, healthy, and safe communities.

Provincial & County Policy

The Provincial Policy Statement and the County of Simcoe Official Plan Policies provide direction on specific issues. The Township Official Plan policies must conform to the PPS and County Official Plan, which set out the following policies:

Built Form & Sense of Place

Provincial Policy encourages a sense of place by promoting well-designed built form, and conserving features that help define character. This includes protecting significant cultural heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes.

Complete Communities

It is a goal of Provincial and County plans to provide for complete communities, which provide a range and mix of housing types, employment opportunities, accessible and safe community facilities, and recreational opportunities in a co-ordinated manner.

Design Standards

Site design and urban design standards should create attractive, vibrant places that support walking and cycling. Active transportation facilities, parks, and streetscapes contribute to a positive sense of place.

Mixed use settlements which minimize land consumption and promote compact form are encouraged. The County requires development proposals by plans of subdivision to incorporate design elements which support active transportation and age-friendly design elements.

Existing Policy & Legislation

• Provincial Policy Statement 2014
• County of Simcoe Official Plan Policies

Current Township Policies

The Everett Secondary Plan included design criteria for Everett, by providing an overview of design principles, such as land use compatibility, streetscapes, and connected pedestrian and open space systems.

Section 3.3 of the Current Official Plan contains policies for Agricultural and Rural Character. Current Official Plan policies require that:

• The characteristics that define and enhance rural character, including large and discontinuous lots with varying setbacks and an agricultural landscape, should be recognized and protected.
• The location, size, access, and siting of buildings on new lots are considered in determining compliance with character policies.
• The natural, open countryside is maintained by prohibiting subdivisions and limiting opportunities for consents.
• Controls to ensure that development is appropriate can be implemented through zoning provisions, restrictions on subdivision development, and site plan control. Guidelines concerning acceptable development standards may be prepared by the Township.
• Development in settlement areas is primarily shaped by the ability to provide a safe water supply and sewage treatment for each development area.

New and revised Official Plan policies will promote community design that is supportive of the Township’s rural character while providing an accessible, connected, and attractive public realm.

Your ideas and vision are important!

What changes would you like to see?

• Do you think that the current policies are sufficiently supporting the rural character of the Township?
• Are there any specific design elements that you think should be incorporated into the Official Plan (i.e. sidewalks, landscaping, building facades, lot sizes)?
• Please provide any other comments you may have for consideration in the development of new policies.