Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NEWBURY – County council has endorsed a new planning process that will see the Village of Newbury’s policies incorporated as a dedicated chapter within the Middlesex County Official Plan.
The decision, approved at the August 12 meeting of council, establishes what staff describe as a hybrid approach to local planning. Rather than creating a separate official plan for Newbury, the village’s policies will be set out in a chapter addressing community-specific matters such as residential and commercial development, while relying on the broader county document for issues including agricultural areas.
Durk Vanderwerff, director of planning and development, explained that the move is intended to replace a document dating back nearly four decades. Back in 2021, the County Council, and then also village of Newbury council did endorse the concept of a hybrid official plan,” Vanderwerff said. “You can see that Newbury doesn’t have many of the issues that other municipalities have in terms of aggregate resources, agriculture, land, etc. So, rather than creating a new official plan to replace a very outdated document or approaches being taken, where there is only one chapter that addresses Newbury-specific issues (commercial, residential, etc.), and then relying on the County Official Plan for the rest of those policies.”
Vanderwerff noted that the framework is already in progress and highlighted some of the technical adjustments required before it is fully operational. “There are a number of sorts of technical changes that need to be made. And I guess the report goes in great detail, or goes into enough detail, I believe on those items,” he said.
One of the key differences will be where public meetings are held. “It wouldn’t make sense in my mind, to have the public meeting for a Newbury specific Official Plan Amendment in this chamber before you,” Vanderwerff told councillors. “Rather it should be in Newbury for Newbury Council, and then they wil make a recommendation that will come to county council. In the end, it is County Council’s decision, because it is your official plan, presumably you would significantly consider the input of Newbury Council.”
He added that the process aligns with priorities such as collaboration and efficiency, and said staff reviewed similar approaches in other Ontario jurisdictions before finalizing the recommendation.
After no questions were raised by councillors, the recommendation was moved by Councillor Allan Mayhew and seconded by Councillor Michelle Smibert.
