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Cramahe Official Plan

2025 Official Plan Review
The Township has started the process of our Official Plan Review and update, we will be working with Planning Consultants from MHBC. The updated draft is anticipated for early fall 2025. 

To view more information about the process and what to expect please visit the information presentation given by MHBC Planning Consultants:

Visioning Session ~ July 22, 2025

Imagine Cramahe in 2046

 

Survey closed August 22, 2025. Thank you for all of your feedback, the first draft of the official plan update will be presented to Council in early fall. (Date-TBD)

 

What is an Official Plan?

The Official Plan is a strategic document for guiding land use and development in the municipality. The text of the plan describes Council’s policies on how land in the municipality should be used. Official Plans have legal status through the Planning Act. All relevant land use related by-laws (such as the zoning by-law) must conform to the Official Plan.

Official Plans contain the goals and objectives of the community and establish policies to direct the form, location, nature and rate of growth and change over a set period of time – typically a 20 year planning horizon.

The Cramahe Official Plan was prepared in consultation with the community and other agencies such as the Northumberland County and Conservation Authorities. Official Plans are required to be reviewed every 5 years. 

The Official Plan places each property in one or more land use designations.  Designations include Aggregate, Agriculture, Commercial, Employment Area, Environmental Protection, Existing Residential, Hamlet, Recreation/Conservation, Rural, Shoreline or Waste Disposal.  Each designation has permitted uses and policies.  There are also general OP policies which apply to all new development or redevelopment. To determine the designation of your property, please refer to our Official Plan Map.

You can also call, email or drop by the Building & Planning Office.  It is always best to make an appointment so staff can look up the information ahead of time.

To use the Official Plan Office Consolidation, first check your property’s designation on the OP Map. The Official Plan can be complex, so contact us if you have questions or need more information

Official Plan Map - Schedule A

2024 Official Plan Consolidation 

Technical review will be carried out in consultation with the County as the approval authority for OPAs together with any agencies such as Lower Trent Conservation Authority. This process can take many months

If your project doesn’t follow the current designation rules, you may need to apply for an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) or Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA). Some major projects must go through an OPA, and pre-consultation with the County and Township as required.

Pre consultation with the County and the Township is mandatory before making an application for an OPA.

Technical review will be carried out in consultation with the County as the approval authority for OPAs together with any agencies such as Lower Trent Conservation AuthorityThis process can take many months.

When the Township is satisfied that technical review is complete, Council will authorize a public meeting. Neighboring property owners and agencies are notified and a Public Meeting is held. Prior to adopting the OPA and/or passing the ZBA, Council will review and make any changes based on the public and agency consultation. 

After adoption, the OPA is sent to the County for final approval. Decisions on OPAs and ZBAs can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal

**Placeholders**

Official Plan Amendment Application

OPA Guide

Zoning By-Law Application & Guide

Visit our County of Northumberland Official Plan page for more information on their official plan.  

Planning Contact

Township of Cramahe
1 Toronto Street, P.O. Box 357
Colborne, ON K0K 1S0

Email: planning@cramahe.ca

Phone: 905-355-2821
Fax: 905-355-3430
Toll Free: 1-877-272-4263

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday 8:30 am to 5:00pm

Friday 8:30am-12:30pm

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