OFFICIAL PLAN of the TOWNSHIP OF ATHENS July 2012 Office Consolidation Adopted by Council on June 7, 2010 Approved with modifications by MMAH on December 20, 2010 Approved by Ontario Municipal Board on July 17, 2012 Prepared for: TOWNSHIP OF ATHENS Box 189 1 Main Street West Athens, Ontario K0E 1B0 tel: (613) 924-2044 fax: (613) 924-2091 www.athenstownship.ca Prepared by: NOVATECH ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS LTD. Planners and Engineers 200 - 240 Michael Cowpland Dr. Ottawa, Ontario K2M 1P6 tel: (613) 254-9643 fax: (613) 254-5867 www.novatech-eng.com This document has been prepared under the guidance of the Township of Athens Official Plan Steering Committee. The membership of the Committee includes: Darin Alguire, Council Representative Yuergen Beck, Council Representative Richard Berube, Community Representative John Conley, Council Representative (Mayor) Karen Cook, Council Representative Don Curry, Council Representative Robert Greene, Council Representative (past member) Greg Kearney, Council Representative Madelaine Palko, Chair & Community Representative Jan Risberg, Community Representative Gary Sheffield, Council Representative Township of Athens OFFICIAL PLAN OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ATHENS TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 1 1.1 PLANNING ACT CONTEXT ..................................................................................... 1 1.2 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENTS ........................................................................... 1 1.2.1 Title and Components ............................................................................................. 1 1.2.2 Application .............................................................................................................. 2 1.2.3 Intent ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.4 Scope ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.5 Planning Period ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3 BASIS AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 General ................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.2 Basis of the Plan ..................................................................................................... 4 1.3.3 Vision Statement...................................................................................................... 8 1.3.4 Objectives of the Plan ............................................................................................. 8 SECTION 2 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES .................................................. 12 2.1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 12 2.2 ECONOMIC POLICY ............................................................................................... 12 2.3 ENERGY POLICY ..................................................................................................... 13 2.4 HOUSING POLICY ................................................................................................... 13 2.5 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ................................................................................. 14 2.6 COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ............................................................................ 14 2.7 ACCESSORY USES ................................................................................................... 17 2.7.1 General ................................................................................................................. 17 2.7.2 Home-Based Businesses........................................................................................ 18 2.7.3 Bed and Breakfast Establishments ........................................................................ 18 2.8 SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL USES .............................................................................. 19 2.8.1 Garden Suites ........................................................................................................ 19 2.8.2 Group Homes ........................................................................................................ 19 2.9 PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USES .................................................................. 20 2.10 PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ..................................... 21 2.11 CROWN AND CONSERVATION LANDS ............................................................. 22 2.12 WAYSIDE PITS, WAYSIDE QUARRIES, PORTABLE CONCRETE PLANTS AND PORTABLE ASPHALT PLANTS ................................................................... 23 2.13 USES NOT CONTEMPLATED BY PLAN .............................................................. 24 2.14 EXISTING LAND USES ............................................................................................ 24 2.14.1 Changes to Non-Conforming Uses and Extensions or Enlargements .................. 24 2.14.2 Minor Variances ................................................................................................... 25 2.15 EXISTING UNDERSIZED LOTS ............................................................................ 26 Official Plan – July 2012 Office Consolidation Page i Township of Athens 2.16 ROAD ACCESS .......................................................................................................... 26 2.17 LAND USE COMPATIBILITY ................................................................................ 26 2.17.1 Development Adjacent to Mineral Resources ....................................................... 26 2.17.2 Development Where Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Uses are Adjacent ....... 28 2.17.3 Development Adjacent to Open or Closed Waste Disposal Sites and Sewage Treatment Facilities .............................................................................................. 28 2.17.4 Other Land Use Compatibility Policies ................................................................ 29 2.18 CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES ............... 29 2.18.1 Cultural Heritage Resources ................................................................................ 29 2.18.2 Archaeological Resources .................................................................................... 31 2.19 NATURAL HAZARD FEATURES .......................................................................... 32 2.19.1 Flood Plains .......................................................................................................... 32 2.19.2 Organic Soils ........................................................................................................ 33 2.19.3 Steep Slopes and Erosion Hazards ....................................................................... 34 2.20 HUMAN-MADE HAZARD FEATURES ................................................................. 35 2.20.1 Contaminated Sites ............................................................................................... 35 2.20.2 Abandoned Mines and Mineral Resource Operations .......................................... 36 2.21 NATURAL HERITAGE FEATURES ...................................................................... 36 2.21.1 Wetlands and Adjacent Lands ............................................................................... 37 2.21.2 Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSIs) and Adjacent Lands ................. 37 2.21.3 Fish Habitat and Adjacent Lands ......................................................................... 37 2.21.4 Significant Wildlife Habitat and Adjacent Lands ................................................. 38 2.21.5 Endangered and Threatened Species Habitat and Adjacent Lands ...................... 39 2.21.6 Significant Woodlands and Adjacent Lands ......................................................... 41 2.21.7 Significant Valleylands and Adjacent Lands ........................................................ 42 2.21.8 Environmental Impact Assessments ...................................................................... 42 2.22 GROUND WATER SUPPLY, SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND OTHER SERVICES 44 2.22.1 Ground Water Supply and Sewage Disposal ........................................................ 44 2.22.2 Other Services ....................................................................................................... 46 2.23 SURFACE WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY ................................................ 46 2.23.1 Development Adjacent to Water Bodies ............................................................... 46 2.23.2 Storm Water Management .................................................................................... 49 SECTION 3 LAND USE POLICIES .................................................................................. 51 3.1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 51 3.2 MINERAL RESOURCE ............................................................................................ 51 3.2.1 Intent of the Designation ....................................................................................... 51 3.2.2 Permitted Uses .....................................................................................................