I. Introduction

The landowners of Perth County are concerned that the new “Natural Environment” mappings and the resulting re-zoning of the affected properties within Perth County are not warranted, inaccurate, not necessary, contradictory to promoting Natural Environment protection and are unwanted.

The Council needs to recognize that re-zoning is an extremely invasive process that, now or in the future, may adversely affect the landowners’ rights along with the associated land devaluation and additional costs for such items as Environment Impact Studies.

II. Background

The County currently has a criterion of one hectare for identifying a “Significant Woodlot” that is four times more restrictive than the PPS (Provincial Policy Statement) requirement of 4 hectares.

The county currently has a forestry by-law that has been in existence for 75 years that protects trees in the county that has a criterion of ½ acre that is 19.76 times the PPS requirement of 4 hectares.

MPAC will re-value the properties: When MPAC assess property values, the "Natural Environment" zoned lands will be considered less valuable than land zoned “Agricultural” therefore leading to a decrease in property value. This will translate into DECREASED tax revenue the county will receive for these properties, the difference in the lost revenue from these properties will need to be made up from residential and other properties within the county.

Enacting more restrictions on landowners will have a negative effect on most landowners’ desire to plant more trees: The fear of future re-zoning activities has created the mindset of “I’ll never plant another tree on my property.”

Many properties that have been specifically planted as “Tree Plantations” for the sole purpose of harvesting these trees as a crop, will now result in the land being re-zoned so the landowner can not return these lands into pasture, grain crop producing lands, etc. in the future.

Organic designated farms that have created a buffer zone of trees will now have this land re-zoned to “Natural Environment”, possibly triggering expensive Environmental Impact Studies when they planted these trees themselves, as part of the organic certification process.

Inaccurate mapping, using satellite images from 2015 has resulted in inaccurate identification of “Natural Environments”. Many, many examples of a few trees beside a laneway, settling ponds, etc. have been inaccurately identified as “Natural Environment”.

Provincial Policy Statements are being changed: The re-zoning being proposed is based on existing standards (the County is EXCEEDING the Provincial Standards by 400%) that are being re-developed right now. On February 16, 2024, The Conservation Authorities Act was changed, and the possible implications of the new rules might not have been taken into consideration.

III. Issue Statement

Perth County is proposing the rezoning of approximately 10,000 acres of agricultural land to “Natural Environment” against landowners wishes and possibly against PPS standards.

This will impact the landowners’ rights and enjoyment of their properties as well as having a negative impact on the Natural Environment protection goals of the community and province.

IV. Call to Action

The landowners of Perth County ask that the proposed Official Plan be amended to revert the land zoning designations to what are currently existing.

V. Benefits of Action

Perth County will then have the time to conduct actual “proofing” of the Natural Environment” areas as well as benefit from the proposed changes to the PPS that are not known at this time.

This will result in a positive response from the landowners and the reassurance that the continued actions of being good stewards of the land will not result in the associated negative impacts of re-zoning for the lands in question.

VI. Support and Participation

Landowners of Perth County are encouraged to contact the Planning department and councillors to understand the process and provide feedback.

VII. Conclusion

Time is of the essence; the new official plan needs to be completed and the step of removing the controversial land re-zoning initiative will ensure that the New Official Plan is adopted by the landowners of Perth County.

Thank you for your support and co-operation in this matter.

By working together and taking meaningful steps, we can bring about positive change and create a better future for all.