United Counties of Leeds and Grenville to Defend Position on Agricultural Area Review

Brockville – The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville confirms that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has submitted an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) regarding Counties Official Plan Amendment No. 5 (OPA 5). This amendment implements the findings of the Agricultural Area Review.

The Agricultural Area Review was undertaken to meet a requirement established in the Counties’ first Official Plan, approved in 2016. The review examines agricultural lands to identify whether additional prime Agricultural Area lands should be added to the Counties Official Plan and to confirm existing boundaries. The United Counties retained PLANSCAPE, supported by soil experts, to carry out the study using the provincially supported Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR) methodology.

The Counties has retained legal counsel and will be defending its position before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Information related to the appeal is available directly through the Ontario Land Tribunal by visiting: https://olt.gov.on.ca/case-status/

For more information on the Agricultural Area Review, visit: https://www.leedsgrenville.com/en/government/agriculture-area-review.aspx