This petition is about more than one development. It’s about protecting democratic decision-making and lawful local planning in the face of new provincial legislation that weakens oversight and accountability.

Under Bill 5 and other recent changes, developers now have more control over Environmental Assessments while councils and residents have less. Sebringville’s proposed subdivision at 123 Station Road is advancing despite clear conflicts with the newly approved Perth County Official Plan (2025), which designates Sebringville as a Village intended for modest, low-density growth.

If higher-density, developer-driven projects can override approved plans here, it can happen anywhere. We’re asking Perth County Council to uphold the plan it just adopted, ensure decisions are made in open session, and reaffirm that growth in Sebringville - and across Ontario - must follow the law, respect community limits, and safeguard local authority.

To: Warden Kellum and Members of Perth County Council
From: Residents and Stakeholders of Sebringville

We, the undersigned, affirm that growth in Sebringville must be consistent with the Perth County Official Plan. The Plan designates Sebringville as a Village, with modest growth limited to low-density residential development.

We respectfully petition Perth County Council as follows:

1. That this petition be placed on a Council agenda for review and decision, not filed administratively.That Council affirm Sebringville’s designation as a Village in the newly approved Perth County Official Plan (2025).
2. That Council affirm that the Official Plan directs medium and higher-density housing, including townhouses and apartments, to Primary Settlement Areas: Listowel, Mitchell, Milverton, and Atwood.
3. That Council affirm that Section 2.5.2 of the Official Plan states that “low density residential forms of development” are permitted in Villages.
4. That Council affirm that the proposed subdivision at 123 Station Road, which includes townhouses and potential apartment buildings, is not consistent with the Village designation or the growth management policies of the Official Plan.
5. That Council affirm that determining conformity with the Official Plan is a legislative responsibility of Council and must be decided directly by Council resolution in open session.

By signing this petition, I hereby acknowledge that this petition will become a public document at the County of Perth. All information contained in it will be available publicly. Questions about the collection and disclosure of personal information contained in this petition should be directed to the County Clerk at 1 Huron Street, Stratford, ON by email or phone at 519-271-0531.

This petition is being circulated both in print and online to ensure Sebringville residents and stakeholders can sign. All signatures, paper and digital, will be compiled and submitted together to Perth County Council.

Image credit:  Glenn Spracklin