Notice of a Public Meeting - Official Plan

Public Notice – First Published on March 12, 2025

Take Notice that the Township of Russell invites all interested persons to attend a Statutory Public Meeting held by the Planning Committee on April 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. 

THE PUBLIC MEETING is to consider a revision and provide input on the Township of Russell’s Draft Official Plan, pursuant to the requirements of Section 17 and 26 of the Planning Act.

Members of the public wishing to comment on the Draft Official Plan are strongly encouraged to make a written submission any time prior to the meeting by emailing us at: planning@russell.ca. Members of the public wishing to make oral submissions to the Committee may do so by attending the Council Chambers at 717 Notre-Dame Street, in Embrun.

AN EXPLANATION of the Purpose and Effect of the Draft Official Plan accompanies this notice. No key map is provided as the proposed Draft Official Plan applies to various lands within the Township of Russell.

The Draft Official Plan and accompanying Schedules (i.e., maps) (January 2025) are available for review at: www.russell.ca/OfficialPlan. The Draft Official Plan has been prepared to include redline edits showings the proposed changes to the Township’s existing Official Plan (Approved 2018). It was previously presented at the Statutory Public Open House on February 12, 2025. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed Draft Official Plan is available on our website under ‘’Official Plan’’ or can be requested by contacting the Planning Department at 613-443-3066 or planning@russell.ca.

ANY PERSON OR AGENCY may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed Draft Official Plan.

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the Township of Russell Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Township of Russell before the proposed Draft Official Plan is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the Township of Russell before the proposed Draft Official Plan is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so.

If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Township of Russell on the proposed Draft Official Plan, you must make a written request to the Planning Department, Township of Russell, 717 Notre-Dame Street, Embrun, ON, K0A 1W1.

DATED at the Township of Russell this 12^th day of March 2025.

EXPLANATION OF THE PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED DRAFT OFFICIAL PLAN:
The Township of Russell Official Plan is the principal policy document used by the Municipality to express its vision for growth and development in the Villages and Highway 417 Industrial Park, and guides where land uses should be located. It directs what natural and cultural heritage features should be protected and/or enhanced, and identifies future vehicular and active transportation corridors and new infrastructure, while reflecting Provincial and local interest and values.

The Official Plan must be reviewed every 10 years to ensure the Plan has regards to matters of provincial interest, implements changes to the Planning Act, while also being consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement and conforming to the United Counties of Prescott and Russell Official Plan. The review also allows Council to consider how the Township has developed over the past 7 years and to implement changes for future development.