In accordance with Section 17 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended:
TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of Georgian Bluffs passed By-law No. 2026-039 on July 15, 2026 under Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act. By-law No. 2026-039 adopted the new 2026 Official Plan for the Township of Georgian Bluffs and repealed the Township of Georgian Bluffs 2012 Official Plan.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT
The Official Plan sets out Council’s vision for the Township of Georgian Bluffs. It includes the goals, objectives, and policies that guide land use, development, and growth in the Township over a 25-year planning horizon. The Plan also directs how physical development will be managed in relation to the Township’s social, economic, built, and natural environments.
The Planning Act requires municipalities to update their Official Plans to ensure they conform with, or do not conflict with, applicable provincial plans. Official Plans must also have regard for matters of provincial interest and be consistent with provincial policy statements issued under the Act. The Township’s Official Plan must also conform with the County of Grey Official Plan.
The existing Official Plan was approved by Township Council on August 8, 2012. Taking into account the timing of the 10-year review, the introduction of the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement, amendments to the Planning Act, and the adoption of the new County of Grey Official Plan (2018), the Township initiated a comprehensive update to its Official Plan. This update has culminated in the creation of a new Official Plan document intended to replace the existing Official Plan.
A copy of the adopted new Official Plan is available on the Township’s website.
CONSULTATION SUMMARY
Public consultation on the new Official Plan was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act and exceeded those requirements where appropriate. Before the new Official Plan was adopted, Public Open Houses were held on August 24, 2023, and September 21, 2023. Statutory Public Meetings were held on July 2, 2025, and May 6, 2026. Through this process, the Township received written and oral submissions, which were fully considered and incorporated into the new Official Plan where appropriate. Consultation on the Plan is summarized in the Staff Report available in the Council package for the Council Meeting - June 17, 2026.
PUBLIC RECORD
Under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, and in accordance with Ontario’s Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), all information provided for, or at, a Public Meeting, Public Consultation, or other public process is considered part of the public record, including resident deputations. This information may be posted on the Township’s website and/or made available to the public upon request.
APPROVALS AND NOTICE
The approval authority for the Georgian Bluffs 2026 Official Plan is the County of Grey. The adopted Official Plan will be forwarded, along with the municipal record, to the County for consideration of approval:
County of Grey
Planning and Development Department
595 9th Avenue East
Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 3E3
The County may decide to approve, modify and approve as modified, or refuse to approve parts or all of the adopted Plan.
Any person or public body is entitled to receive notice of the County of Grey’s decision if a written request to be notified is made to the County of Grey using the contact information above.
Only individuals, corporations, or public bodies may appeal a decision of the County of Grey regarding the 2026 Georgian Bluffs Official Plan to the Ontario Land Tribunal. A notice of appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a notice of appeal may be filed on behalf of an association or group in the name of an individual who is a member of that association or group. Global appeals of the Plan are prohibited under the Planning Act. For more information on appeal rights and processes, contact the County at the address above, by email at planning@grey.ca, or by phone at 519-376-2205.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this notice, please contact:
Denise McCarl, Director of Development and Infrastructure Services at dmccarl@georgianbluffs.ca or 519-376-2729 ext. 205.
BACKGROUND MATERIALS
