Lake Of Bays adopts Official Plan

The OP will be sent to District Council for approval

Lake of Bays Council adopted the new Draft Official Plan (OP), in the August 25, 2026, Planning meeting.

Staff reported that the new OP would guide development, housing, environmental protection and community planning over the next 25 years, while remaining consistent with provincial and District planning policies, and provide the policy framework for the Township through 2051.

They said the plan is the culmination of a review that began in April 2024 and included public, stakeholder, agency and Indigenous community input.

Several revisions have been made since the June 30th statutory public meeting, including changes responding to direction from Council and comments from District of Muskoka staff.

The report highlights the suggested changes, including shoreline policies for existing lots on Lake of Bays, Dickie Lake, Echo Lake, Grandview Lake, Paint Lake and Ril Lake. New development on these lots, as well as the demolition and reconstruction of existing structures, would be required to maintain a minimum 20-metre setback from the high-water mark on those lots. Shoreline structures are excluded from this requirement. Greater setbacks could be required where environmental constraints exist.

New lots created following adoption of the Official Plan would be required to maintain a 30-metre setback and 30-metre vegetative buffer.

The Lake of Bays Association attended the meeting and expressed concerns about the 20-metre setbacks, in favour of a Township-wide standard of 30-metres “to ensure the future health of Lake of Bays,” and is aligned with the District Op of 30-metres.

Council members also expressed a preference to maintain the 30-metre setback, with Councillor, Mike Peppard, putting forth a motion to amend the OP to be aligned with it, which was approved.

The plan also proposes changes to settlement boundaries in Baysville, Dorset, Dwight and Hillside to accommodate future housing and community development. The proposed changes would be considered by the District as part of its review and approval of the Township's Official Plan.

Other revisions address the Township's Natural Heritage System policies and incorporate the recently adopted site-specific policies for the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve.

Council member concerns highlighted that the OP isn’t growth oriented.

Councillor, Rick Brooks, said, “I don’t see it as really promoting growth.” He questioned how they can “support growth in the township without expanding boundaries.”

He added, “If we’re not promoting growth why do we need such a large planning department…? We have people that want to build and create jobs but can’t.”

Councillor, Robert Lacroix, concurred, saying, “We’re talking about building communities but we’re not expanding boundaries.”

He added that they also have the opportunity to make lots smaller, promote cheaper lots and homes, and attract families, yet indicate 10-acre lots in the OP, which he referred to as “contradictory.”

He said, “We’re making an error in judgement about making lots so large.”

Mayor, Terry Glover, said, “Council will make decisions moving forward regarding how they want to do it… Council’s are elected to make changes, to make decisions, and that’s where I see this all going… Council will be there to make those decisions.”

Next steps involve the draft OP be forwarded to the District of Muskoka for approval.

Staff would then begin preparing for implementation, including reviewing the Township's Community Planning Permit By-law, planning approval processes and other policies and strategies to bring them into alignment with the new Official Plan.