Development Services 32

Official Plan Review

The Municipality will be completing the Official Plan update in 2022. The Official Plan describes Council’s policies on land use to help ensure that change and development will meet the needs of the community into the future. The Plan deals with issues such as where housing, employment, agricultural, industrial and commercial uses should be located; what services such as roads, sewers and parks will be needed; areas of environmental protection; and, the way in which the community will evolve to support sustainability, community success, and wellbeing. This Project includes extensive community consultation, including meetings with all of Council’s Advisory Committees. The primary source for all information for the Project can be found online at www.meaford.ca/opreview with updates posted as they become available.

Heritage Conservation District Plan Update

Working with the Heritage Advisory Committee, and expert heritage consultants, the Municipality is updating the Heritage Plan. The project is expected to be completed in spring/summer, and when done, the updated Plan will be a more effective tool for managing and protecting this important resource for our community. This will be particularly important for how it relates to potential infill development in the Heritage District. The Heritage Advisory Committee meetings on this project are open to the public, and citizens are welcome to provide their comments.

Community Design Standards

Recent work completed under a “modernization grant” from the Province has set the framework for the Municipality to create Community Design Standards. These standards will address many aspects of the design, function, and aesthetics of new development in the community, and will help implement policies of the Official Plan relating to livability and wellbeing. Community consultation for this project will begin in late spring 2022.

Geographic Information System (GIS) based Zoning Information.

In addition to the downloadable Zoning Maps on the Municipal website you can now view the new Meaford GIS Zoning Map online. Meaford’s new GIS based map is searchable, making it easier to find useful zoning information. Check out Meaford zoning information on the website at www.meaford.ca/zoning.

Current Development Information

Information about development applications can be found on the Municipality’s Current Developments webpage www.meaford.ca/ developmentstatus. There you can find details about applications including related notices, supportive studies and documents, and when public meetings are scheduled.

E-permitting for Building Permits

The Building division is launching a new online e-permitting system. This system will streamline application processes and also provide you with easy tools to monitor the progress of your applications and inspections.

Interactive Bike Patrol

Municipal Officers conduct visible patrols in the urban area to provide enhanced customer service to our community. This type of transportation allows Officers to engage the public in an approachable and personable way while patrolling key areas.

Standard Level of Service

The Municipal Enforcement division services our community to promote safety, create standards to support good neighbour interactions and prevent behaviors that undermine the quality of life for residents. The Municipality is committed to the principles of achieving compliance through the four ‘E’ model; engage, explain, education and then enforce, if necessary.

EAT LOCAL GREY BRUCE

Online Local Farmers Market Delivery to Meaford

Municipal Law Enforcement

519-538-2121 | www.meaford.ca/bylaws | bylaw@meaford.ca

Dog Licensing and Animal Control

It is a requirement for all dogs to be licensed annually by March 31 in the Municipality of Meaford. In registering your animal, proof of rabies vaccination wwill be required at the time of application. Dog tags are offered at a reduced fee until March 31 of each calendar year. Regular pricing takes effect April 1 of each calendar year. We continue to provide three options of payment: in-person/drop box at the Municipal Administration Office located at 21 Trowbridge Street West, Meaford, ON N4L 1A1, by mail and, online at www.meaford.ca/animalsservices. If you are mailing your renewal application to the Municipal Administration Office or paying by registering on-line, your tag(s) will be mailed within seven days of receipt of payment. All dogs are required to be leashed and owners are to be in care and control of their dog. Dogs are allowed to be off-leash on public property only within the designated off-leash locations. All owners shall abide by the rules and regulations of the off-leash locations.

The designated off leash location are:

35 Grant Avenue - Beautiful Joe Leash Free Park 181 Grant Avenue - Designated Dog Beach - located at east end of Memorial Park 181 Grant Avenue - Memorial Park (only between December 1 to March 31)

Open Air Burning

Open air burning is regulated on private property and not permitted on Municipal lands. To check any required changes please visit our website www.meaford.ca/burnpermit Be safe, responsible and burn clean.

Fireworks

It is important to know

if you are considering to set of consumer family fireworks, all persons are to be over 18 and fireworks are only permitted to be set off on your private property. Be aware of your surroundings both horizontally and vertically to avoid an injury and to minimize any potential fire hazard or property damage. For more information visit www.meaford.ca/bylaws to view By-law #046-2014 and for our safety tips visit Fireworks safely www.meaford.ca/fireworkssafety.

Noise

Noise is defined as any unwanted sound that is clearly audible at such a volume that it would be likely to disturb any persons outside of the prescribed permitted times within the By-law. In review of the Noise By-law, there are certain types of large construction equipment and tools that are only permitted to be operated on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and prohibited on Sundays and holidays. For the prescribed times and definitions, see By-law #072-2011 on our website www.meaford.ca/bylaws.

Parking Enforcement

The Municipality proactively enforces Parking By-law #2021-39 by issuing tickets to unlawfully parked vehicles. Parking enforcement assists in regulating traffic movement which helps to maintain and ensure public safety. The Parking By-law prohibits vehicles from parking on any street, Municipal public lot or facility as designated, from November 15 to April 1, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Parking tickets can be paid in person during business hours at the Municipal Administration Office, placed in the drop box to the left of the front door or by mail at 21 Trowbridge Street, West, Meaford, ON N4L 1A1.