Residents are reminded that the venue for the upcoming Penryn Mason Homes Phase 5 Development Public Meeting has been changed to Port Hope High School in order to accommodate our expected audience. The meeting date and time remain the same, as previously advertised:
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Time: 6:30 p.m., Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Port Hope High School Gymnasium - 130 Highland Drive, Port Hope
A staff report will be available online for public review on Friday, March 6. At the meeting, municipal staff will give a presentation and residents will have an opportunity to provide their input on the development application. The meeting will be video recorded and posted publicly.
It is important to note that this is a public meeting held in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act. The meeting is a prescribed requirement under the Act and it represents only one component of the planning and development process. The meeting is held so that Council may receive feedback from the public. Council does not make a final decision on the application at this time.
The Municipality acknowledges the feedback received to date regarding this application and encourages residents and stakeholders to continue to submit their comments via a comment form, available either online at porthope.ca/community-consultation or at Town Hall (56 Queen Street). The Municipality will continue to receive and review all comments submitted by members of the public and stakeholders.
Additional Information about Public Meetings under the Planning Act
What is a statutory public planning meeting and why are they held?
A statutory public meeting is held under the Planning Act for certain types of planning applications, including amendments to the Official Plan or Zoning By-laws and Plans of Subdivisions. These meetings are conducted outside of the regular Council and Committee of the Whole meeting format.
Public meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for individuals in attendance to provide feedback on the matters being discussed.
The purpose of the Public Meeting is to consider the Staff report and provide a public forum for questions and feedback on the merits of the application.
The Applicant will have the opportunity to present their proposal and the public can make their views known about the application.
The Community Development Committee has the ability to evaluate the application and make recommendations to Council.
Who is present from the Municipality at public meetings?
Public meetings are chaired by a Member of Council appointed as the Community Development Committee Chair. Staff from the Community Development department, including the Planning Division, will be in attendance to provide information regarding applications and hear feedback provided. The Office of the Municipal Clerk captures the feedback received in the public meeting minutes to provide a written record of the meeting. Members of Council will also be in attendance at the public meeting.
Can anyone participate, or do you have to register in advance to speak at a public meeting?
Individuals wishing to speak at a public meeting do not need to register ahead of the meeting and all those in attendance who wish to speak will be provided with the opportunity. A sign-in sheet will be provided at the meeting location.
It is strongly recommended that community stakeholder groups or organizations identify and appoint one spokesperson to speak on behalf of the group.
How can I provide my input?
You can provide your input in person at statutory public meetings. If you are unable to attend a public meeting, you can also submit comments online or via a comment form available at porthope.ca/community-consultation.
Please note: If one does make an oral or written submission at a public meeting, they can be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Tribunal. Please see additional appeal information below.
What is appropriate conduct for speakers?
During the meeting, no individual shall:
- speak disrespectfully of any person;
- use offensive words;
- speak on any subject other than the application to which the public meeting pertains; or,
- enter into debate with other members of the public, Municipal Staff, Council Members or the Chair
What is the format for a public meeting and what decisions are made?
- The Chair of the Meeting will make introductory remarks
- Municipal Staff will provide an overview of the application
- The applicant or their representative may appear and provide information regarding the application
- Members of the Committee of the Whole have the opportunity to ask questions
- Members of the public and/or stakeholders in attendance and wishing to speak may make an oral submission
- The Chair may call on the applicant and/or Staff to provide clarification on matters raised by members of the public and/or stakeholders
A decision about the application will not be made by Council at the Public Meeting. The purpose of the Public Meeting is to consider the staff report and provide a public forum for debate on the merits of the application.
How can I receive further notification or additional information related to an application?
If you wish to receive further notification from the Community Development department regarding a particular application, please send your request, including your name, address, postal code and email address, by email to communitydevelopment@porthope.ca or in writing to the Community Development department, Municipality of Port Hope, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope, Ontario, L1A 3Z9.
What are my appeal rights?
In order to be eligible to appeal the eventual decision of the Municipality of Port Hope Council to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), a person or public body must make an oral submission at a public meeting or make a written submission to the Municipality of Port Hope before a decision is made.
If one does make an oral or written submission at a public meeting, they can be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Tribunal.
Written submissions should be made to Theodhora Merepeza, Planning Manager, Municipality of Port Hope, at 56 Queen Street, Port Hope, ON L1A 3Z9 or by email to masondevelopment@porthope.ca.
Personal information from those who make either an oral or written submission on an application is collected under the authority of the Planning Act R.S.O. 1990 and the applicable implementing Ontario Regulation, and will become part of the public record for the application. Questions about the collection of personal information should be directed to the Office of the Municipal Clerk, Municipality of Port Hope, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope, ON L1A 3Z9 or by email to clerk@porthope.ca.
For more information in this matter please refer to the LPAT website:
https://elto.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/lpat-process/
Please ensure that you do participate at the municipal level (oral/written submissions) before a council decision is made. It is a statutory requirement in the Planning Act for the eligibility to appeal an approval of an official plan amendment/zoning by-law amendment to the Tribunal. Statutory requirements cannot be waived by the Tribunal.
You have the opportunity (under the Planning Act) to make an appeal to the Tribunal once a municipal council decision has been made on the official plan amendment and zoning by-law amendment application. In order to be eligible to make an appeal, you must be involved in the process at the municipal level before a council decision is made - you must make oral/written submissions to council that outline your views on the application.
Please visit the Tribunal's website to view available resources
- Legislation and Rules https://elto.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/legislation-and-rules/
- LPAT Process https://elto.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/lpat-process/
- Appeal Form - A1 Form: https://elto.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/forms/appellant-applicant-forms/
**Tribunal's ‘Guide A’ provides information on the appeal process.
For general inquiries, you can call the Tribunal's Public Inquiry line at (416) 212-6349 or toll free (866) 448-2248.
Additional information on land use planning is available on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website.
- Land Use Planning: https://www.ontario.ca/page/land-use-planning
- Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning: https://www.ontario.ca/document/citizens-guide-land-use-planning
- Planning Act on the e-laws website: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p13
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