Bracebridge Council adopted Official Plan Amendment for public notices
Bracebridge Council adopted the Official Plan Amendment (OPA) for public notices, in the April 10, 2024, meeting.
The recommendation was prompted by the discontinuation of the local newspaper, The Bracebridge Examiner, as a part of province wide closure of 70 newspapers by Metroland Media Group in September 2023.
The Town typically announced public notices in local newspapers like the Examiner and have continued to seek alternative methods, however, community input is essential to the changes.
According to the staff report, the OPA requires public input prior to making changes. It indicates, “Amendments to the Official Plan are completed through a public process, with Council evaluating any amendments based on criteria established in the implementation policies.”
The report indicates that the Town received 7 comments from the public regarding the proposed OPA. Majority of the participants suggested that the Town include emails to residents as an option to what they believe should be an approach with multiple options.
Another public suggestion included that the Town provide public notices on their website given that majority of residents go there to get information on a regular basis.
In the report staff advise that they will be using a multi-faceted approach with their public notices. It indicates, “The intent of the policy change is to use a variety of methods to engage the public and not to use only one method.”
The staff report adds that the Town’s website along with other methods will be effective tools moving forward for providing public notifications, especially given that people can also subscribe to notifications there as well.
Public feedback also expressed importance of the Town having proof of issuing notifications and that they used all options available where necessary.
The staff response indicated that the Town acts in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Planning Act and keeps records for specific period of time.
Staff expressed confidence that the OPA will “provide the Town with additional methods to provide notices in an efficient and effective manner.”
The report adds that the OPA will also help address “shortcomings in the public participation process.”
