The Paris Independent
13
December 16, 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS As planners, we have a responsibility to work with and circulate development applications to our neighbouring First Nations. The County of Brant has signed the Grand River Notification Agreement, which outlines these requirements to work with our neighbouring First Nations on land developments. As we continue to build stronger relationships with both the Mississaugas of the Credit and Six Nations of the Grand River communities, the consultation and review opportunities and development requirements have become more dynamic and inclusive requiring more time and resources.
Finally, throughout 2023, in addition to processing development applications, Development Planning staff have also initiated and completed important projects including: • New Subdivision Agreement template, • New Site Plan Agreement template and Site Plan Control By-Law, and • New Civic Address Policy. 2024 Future Forecast Planning applications are projected to remain stable in 2024 and are estimated to be comparable to the number of applications submitted and processed in 2023. While the overall number of applications is down from 2022, the number of pre-consultation meetings has nearly doubled, signaling that the desire for new development is increasing. With interest rates projected to stabilize and perhaps decrease in 2024, staff are hopeful that we will continue to see interest in new development applications in the industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential sectors across the County of Brant. Additionally, with the potential approval of a new Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), the province has shown flexibility in how land use policies are approached. This could have positive impacts to the ease of land use development in the future. Once the new PPS is approved, planning staff will be summarizing the new provincial directions. Planning staff will continue to work diligently with our development industry partners in processing development applications and bringing thoughtful, responsible and progressive growth opportunities for Council’s consideration.
Paris Horticultural Society ends year with dinner and awards The Paris Horticultural Society’s awards dinner was held Dec. 6th at the Paris Fairgrounds. The Christmas dinner was served by the Homecraft division. After dinner, members were entertained by guitarist, Steve Ashton. Steve’s zest for entertaining was infectious and he soon had many singing and clapping along. The Society’s co-presidents, Carol Reansbury and Patti Gladding, presented the year’s awards. President’s Awards went to Anne Vernon for her planning and organizing the popular Garden Tour. Pat Hasler-Watts was recognized for organizing the club’s monthly competition for the past six years (and has decided to take a break for now). The third President’s award went to Pat Moore who runs the successful, and often sold out, annual plant sale and flower show every spring.
Pictured receiving her President’s Award for her skills organizing the Annual Plant Sale is Pat Moore (middle) alongside Patti Gladding (left), and Carol Reansbury (right). Photo by Margaret Collins
