Community helps plan Region of Peel's future

February 15, the Region of Peel hosted a public meeting to receive input from its community about the Peel Region Official Plan (ROP) review. The Peel ROP, which must be updated every five years in accordance with the Planning Act, is a comprehensive document that sets the long-term policy framework for decision making by regional council on growth, environmental protection and provision of services.

The Region hosted information sessions on the Peel ROP review in January in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga leading up to the statutory public meeting. The public meeting served as an official forum for parties to present their thoughts and ideas to regional council on important issues that Peel should consider as part of the review.

"We are accountable to our residents and the public meeting gave citizens the opportunity to address regional council collectively," said Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell. "The passion and depth of the presentations certainly made an impact, and will help us build the foundation of the Peel ROP review and address planning considerations region-wide."

In addition to 11 oral presentations made to council, the Region also received a number of written submissions from residents that focused on various areas of the Peel ROP review, including agriculture and transportation.

"It was very encouraging to hear from so many of our community groups and residents who attended the open houses and the public meeting," said planning commissioner Nick Tunnacliffe. "We look forward to continued collaboration as we move through the Peel ROP review process."

Moving forward, regional planning recommendations on topics to be examined will be presented to council this May. Discussion papers on each topic will be made available for review starting in fall 2007. Also, as directed by the province, changes to the Peel ROP must conform to Places to Grow Act, 2006; the Greenbelt Plan, 2005; and the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005 by June 2009. Opportunities for public consultation will be provided throughout the entire process.

For more information on the Peel ROP review, as well as information on providing written submissions to the review process, visit peelregion.ca/planning.