Prince Edward County is reviewing the Shore Lands Designation of its Offical Plan to determine if the designation is still needed or which lands are best suited for it.
Policy Coordinator, Development Services, Scott Pordham says the designation was originally intended to promote tourist-commercial development along much of the County’s shoreline, however, many of those areas now overlap with their 11 Natural Core Areas which aren’t open to development.
“And so we’re taking a look at that, especially in context of protection of environmental features and areas, especially ones that were newly identified in the County’s Official Plan from 2021.”
The review is happening in two phases.
Pordham says the first phase, currently underway, involves initiating an Official Plan amendment to remove the Shore Lands designation from properties where there is an overlap.
The County will consider changing the designation of those lands to either rural or agricultural.
Pordham adds there is also a proposal as part of Phase 1 to remove the Shore Lands designation from two areas outside the Natural Core Areas.
One involves lands south of the Isaiah Tubbs Resort that were never developed into a proposed golf course.
“If it wasn’t in that Shore Land Designation through an Official Plan amendment that was passed decades ago, it would be an agricultural designation that would be intended to preserve agricultural lands.”
The second area is at the end of Cressy Point.
“The properties out in that area aren’t fronting on a municipally maintained road and so we wouldn’t ordinarily allow new development through the Official Plan policies.”
Phase 2 is an evaluation of the entire Shore Lands designation policy which will begin next year.
“Looking at the Official Plan policies including its goals and objectives and whether or not they still make sense for, you know, the vision of the County that’s laid out in the Official Plan.”
A public information meeting regarding the review is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15 from 6-8 pm at the Wellington and District Community Centre.
To learn more about the review and view the maps, visit the County’s Have Your Say page or contact Scott Pordham, Policy Coordinator, Development Services, at 613.476.2148 extension 2024 or email spordham@pecounty.on.ca.
