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SolarBank has secured IESO approval to establish a 4.99 MW BESS in Armour Township. During recent consultations with Township staff in connection with proposed Official Plan and Zoning Amendments, and site plan approval for BESS, Township staff requested a full and transparent public engagement process. The applicant proposes to co-locate a 4.99 megawatt BESS operation with an existing solar array on the land. Ontario’s electrical distribution regulator, IESO approved the subject Pegg’s Mountain property for expedited approval. The applicant will be submitting an information package on BESS systems as part of the application submission.
The Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board is the governing authority in the Township of Armour for land division. Generally, the notice, circulation, possible site visit, and a decision on a consent application will be completed within 60 days of receipt of a Complete Application. This time frame is dependent upon the date of submission of the application, whether or not concerns or objections are raised and the complexity of the application. If a person or public body has the ability to appeal the decision of Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board in respect of the proposed consent to the Ontario Land Tribunal but does not make written submissions to Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board before it gives or refuses to give a provisional consent, the Tribunal may dismiss the appeal. IF YOU WISH TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE DECISION OF THE SOUTHEAST PARRY SOUND DISTRICT PLANNING BOARD IN RESPECT OF THE PROPOSED CONSENT, YOU MUST MAKE A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE PLANNING BOARD Prior to making a decision on the application for consent, the approval authority must provide at least 14 days notice of the application to the persons and public bodies prescribed in O. Reg. 197/96. See below Notice of Application header for a list of current applications. The conditions to the granting of consents must be fulfilled within two years from the date of the Notice of Decision. The conditions must be fulfilled prior to the granting of consent. The Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board meets virtually on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Any member of the public who wishes to attend the virtual meeting may contact the Secretary-Treasurer by noon on the meeting date by email at lmoyer@sepsdplanningboard.ca to request the Zoom link. Notice of Application from the SEPSDPB: B-033/24; B-034/24 & B-035/24: Part Lot 3, Concession 6 - Creasor B-047/24 & B-048/24: Part Lot 11, Concession 13 - 529153 Ontario Limited (Amended) S-001/24: Part Lot 23, Concession 1 & 2 - Plan of Subdivision - Prentice (Notice of Application & Public Meeting) Prentice Subdivision Reports/Studies Subdivision Application - Prentice Draft Subdivision Plan - Prentice B-001/25 & B-002/25: Part Lot 20, Concession 6 - Creasor B-003/25 & B-004/25: Part Lot 20, Concession 6 - Creasor B-006/25: Part Lots 23 & 24, Concession 13 - Holder Notice of Decision: B-010/21: Part Block C, Plan M91 - Murphy B-018/21: Lot 14, Concession 11 - Komadowski B-021/21 & B-022/21: Part Lot 14, Concession 1 - Forler B-026/21 & B-027/21 & B-028/21: Lot 14, Concession 10 - Meier/Pingel B-029/21 & B-030/21 & B-031/21: Part Lots 13 & 14, Concessions 13 & 14 - BLHR Holdings Ltd. B-033/21: Part Lots 6 & 7, Concession 7 - Allen B-034/21: Part Lots 27 & 28, Concession 10 / Lots 28 & 29, Concession 9 - Quinn B-035/21: Part Lot 8, Concession 11 - Jessop B-036/21: Part Lot 18, Concession 5 - McPhillips (formerly Ewart) B-041/21 & B-042/21 & B-043/21: Part Lot 20, Concession 12 - Murney B-053/21: Part Lot 28, Concession 8 - Cubberley B-054/21: Part Lot 7, Concession 2 - Mulligan B-057/21: Part Lots 22 & 23, Concession 3 & 4 - Edwards B-059/21: Part Lot 3, Concession 13 - Gertlbauer B-001/22: Part Lots 25 to 27, Concession 1 - Ricknauth B-002/22 & B-003/22: Part Lot 11, Concession 14 - Ross B-007/22 & B-008/22 & B-009/22: Part Lot 20, Concession 12 - Gosbee B-012/22 & B-013/22: Part Lot 20, Concession 6 - Nasturzio B-014/22 & B-015/22: Lot 3, Concession 6 - Creasor B-022/22: Part Lot 7, Concession 1 - Peavoy B-036/22: Part Lot 16, Concession 3 - Vignale/Gray B-037/22: Lot 24, Concession 10 - Carter-Adams B-038/22 & B-039/22: Part Lot 14, Concession 14 - BLHR Holdings Ltd. B-040/22 & B-041/22 & B-042/22 and B-043/22: Part Lot 13, Concession 2 - Rand/Warren B-048/22 & B-049/22 & B-050/22 & B-051/22: Part Lot 11, Concession 14 - 2152900 Ontario Inc B-055/22 & B-056/22: Part Lots 17 & 18, Concession 7 - Stevenson B-064/22 & B-065/22 & B-066/22: Part Lot 7, Concession 1 - Healey B-069/22: Lot 20, Concession 9 - Boyes B-075/22: Part Lot 20, Concession 10 - Boyes B-076/22: Part Lot 20, Concession 9 - Boyes B-084/22 & B-085/22: Part Lot 23, Concession 2 - Prentice B-086/22 & B-087/22: Part Lot 13, Concession 14 - BLHR Holdings Ltd. B-099/22, B-100/22, B-101/22, B-102/22, B-103/22, Part Lot 5, Concession 4 - 1658101 Ontario Inc. B-004/23 & B-005/23: Part Lot 8, Concession 1 - Maw B-006/23: Part Lot 21, Concession 12 - Gosbee B-009/23 & B-010/23: Part Lots 29 & 30, Concession 14 - Todd B-011/23 & B-012/23: Part Lot 18, Concession 7 - Patriki B-013/23, B-014/23, B-015/23, B-016/23: Part Lots 16 & 17, Concession 11 - Mashinter B-017/23, B-018/23, B-019/23 & B-020/23: Part Lot 3, Concession 13 - Ferrier & Garrod B-024/23: Part Lot 14, Concession 14 - BLHR Holdings Ltd. B-032/23, B-033/23, B-034/23, B-035/23: Part Lots 21 - 24, Concessions 3 - 5 - Armstrong B-039/23 & B-040/23: Part Lot 20, Concession 6 - Nasturzio B-006/24: Concession 2, Part Lot 13 - Murray B-007/24 & B-008/24: Concessions 17 & 18, Part Lots 7 & 8 - Stevenson B-013/24: Concession 11, Part Lot 7 - Gomes B-014/24, B-015/24, B-016/24 & B-017/24: Concession 13, Part Lot 3 - Ferrier/Garrod B-020/24 & B-021/24: Concession 4, Part Lot 4 - Valvur/Oakes B-022/24 & B-023/24: Concession 1, Part Lot 7 - Healey/Gracey B-033/24, B-034/24 & B-035/24: Concession 6, Part Lot 3 - Creasor B-047/24 & B-048/24: Part Lot 11, Concession 13 - 529153 Ontario Limited The Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board will hold meetings via the ZOOM application until further notice.
Your Community, Your Budget JOIN THE DISCUSSION The Township of Armour will be discussing its 2025 Municipal Draft Budget at its regular meeting of March 25 and will be presenting a by-law to approve the draft budget at its regular meeting of April 11, 2025. Core services and capital projects are primarily funded by your tax dollars. The Township strives to allocate its limited funds the most efficient way possible, but your feedback is part of the process. Anyone interested in participating in the budget process is encouraged to attend and share their views. For more information please contact: Alison McGregor, Treasurer 56 Ontario Street, PO Box 533 Burk's Falls, Ontario P0A 1C0 Tel: 705-382-3332 ext. 105 Email: treasurer@armourtownship.ca
The Building Department will be closed on March 27 and 28, 2025 and April 3 and 4, 2025 for staff training. For emergency assistance, please call (705)787–5358.
The Township of Armour is initiating changes to the Zoning By-law which involve reducing the minimum floor area of single detached dwellings and cottages and introducing provisions to permit land lease community homes, all with minimum floor areas of 18.6 square metres (200 square feet) per dwelling. The purpose of this Amendment is to reduce the cost of housing by lowering minimum floor areas, thereby implementing recommendations of the Almaguin Housing Task Force 2024. . TAKE NOTICE That the Council of the Township of Armour will hold a Public Meeting on March 11, 2025 at 6:45 p.m. to consider a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act to amend By-law No. 27-95 as amended, the Armour Township Zoning By-law. Virtual attendance via Zoom is also available. PLEASE ADVISE the Clerk of your email address if you wish to receive a link to join the Zoom meeting. This will allow you the opportunity to monitor and also speak at the meeting if you wish.
Voter Registration Forms There are two ways to confirm, update, add or remove your information from the Register , the Register of Absentee Voters or the Ontario Register of Future Voters , and to remove the information of a deceased person from the Register . You can search the Register to submit your request online or complete a paper application form. Please note that applications sent by mail or email will take longer to process. If submitting a paper application form, you must include a photocopy of one piece of accepted ID showing both your name and home address, and/or other required documentation.
NOTICE OF COMPLETE APPLICATION AND PUBLIC MEETING For Approval of a Plan of Subdivision Pursuant to Section 51 of the Planning Act TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR PART OF LOT 23, CONCESSION 1 AND PART OF LOT 23, CONCESSION 2 ("PRENTICE"- DEER LAKE) Tuesday, March 25, 2025 6:00 p.m. Township of Armour Council Chambers 56 Ontario Street Burk's Falls, Ontario POA 1CO TAKE NOTICE that the Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board has received application No. S-01/24 (Prentice) for a plan of Subdivision. The application is deemed to be complete in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act. THE PURPOSE AND EFFECT of the proposed plan is to create 15 residential lots and 2 Blocks for private road purposes in Part of Lot 23, Concessions 1 & 2 (Part 1, 42R-13495 & Part 2, 42R-22305) in the Township of Armour (Cherry Hill Road). A PUBLIC MEETING will be held by the Township of Armour on Tuesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the Township of Armour Council Chambers located at 56 Ontario Street Burk’s Falls, Ontario. The meeting will be held IN-PERSON and remotely via ZOOM. Should you want to attend via Zoom please contact Charlene Watt at the Township of Armour prior to 4:00 p.m. on March 25, 2025 at deputyclerk@armourtownship.ca Need to Make Submissions If a person or public body would otherwise have the ability to appeal the decision of the Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board but does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, if one is held, or make written submissions to the Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board in respect of the proposed plan of subdivision before the approval authority gives or refuses to give approval to the draft plan of subdivision, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, if one is held, or make written submissions to the Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board in respect of the proposed plan of subdivision before the approval authority gives or refuses to give approval to the draft plan of subdivision, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so. Requesting Notice of Decision If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board in respect of the proposed plan of subdivision, you must make a written request to the Planning Board via email or mail at the address shown below. Getting Additional Information Additional information and material regarding the proposed plan of subdivision is available for public inspection below. For more information about this matter, including information about appeal rights, contact: Linda Moyer, Secretary-Treasurer Telephone: (705) 787-5070 Email: lmoyer@sepsdplanningboard.ca ; Mail: Linda Moyer, Secretary-Treasurer Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board P.O. Box 310 1695 Emsdale Road Kearney, Ontario P0A 1M0 DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2025.
January 15, 2025 ***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** ARMOUR TOWNSHIP PROVIDES NOTICE TO WITHDRAW FROM TRI-COUNCIL SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENTS The Township of Armour believes that a strong municipality, providing the best possible value and the best possible services to its ratepayers, requires the best possible partnerships. Our small municipalities in the Almaguin Highlands cannot stand alone. In order for those partnerships to work, a clear and common vision is required. Insulating ourselves within our own municipal borders will not allow this vision to be realized. At its January 14, 2025 Council meeting, the Township of Armour took the difficult step of advising that it is providing written notice of its intention to withdraw from both the tri-council Library agreement (as of January 14, 2026) and the tri-council Shared Services Agreement for the Arena, Landfill and Fire Services (as of December 31, 2027). Council felt strongly that one of its tri-council partners does not share a common vision with us and prefers to stay insulated within its borders. Unfortunately, this means that the partnership is working counter to what we are trying to achieve. This decision was not taken lightly by any means. We see this as a step back from one partnership to allow us to work on more productive partnerships and lead a vision for the entire Almaguin Highlands. How this vision is formed requires these new partnerships. Region-wide, fully-supported services for economic development. Region-wide, fully-supported and coordinated services for healthcare delivery. Region-wide, fully-supported services for housing and land-use planning. Centres of excellence for individual services for everyone across the Almaguin Highlands. Building on the success-through-cooperation of our Fire Services across Almaguin. Building on the success of our economic development through Almaguin Community Economic Development (ACED). Building on the success of our Almaguin-wide approach to healthcare services through the Almaguin Highlands Health Council (AHHC). We need a view of our infrastructure needs across the entire region, from arenas to fire halls to health and wellness centres. We need a shift to acting as one cohesive unit with one common vision so that we can look down the road to future generations. This vision should serve the entire Almaguin Highlands. It is only with this type of broader, stronger partnerships that we will get the serious attention required from other levels of government to allow us to best-serve all of our citizens. It will allow us to provide the services that our current citizens should expect without the inefficiency of doing this in isolation. It will allow us to attract new businesses, new services, new people to our area. Of utmost importance at this point is the assurance that our intent is not to disrupt service levels while we work toward new partnerships and approaches which better align with the future of the Almaguin Highlands. Press Contact: Mayor Rod Ward, on behalf of the Council of the Township of Armour r.ward@armourtownship.ca | (705) 380-7654 or (705)380-7177
Municipalities Under Pressure: The Growing Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) released a 2025 comprehensive study that reveals the unprecedented and growing toll of homelessness on individuals, families, communities, and governments. It outlines the risk of inaction and how we can work together toward a solution. The study was conducted by HelpSeeker Technologies, in partnership with AMO, the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA). Ontario is at a tipping point in its homelessness crisis. More than 80,000 Ontarians were known to be homeless in 2024, a number that has grown by more than 25 per cent since 2022. Without significant intervention, homelessness in Ontario could double in the next decade, and reach nearly 300,000 people in an economic downturn. “The scope and scale of homelessness across Ontario’s municipalities is truly staggering,” said Robin Jones, AMO President. “Without real and meaningful provincial action, the quality of life and economic prosperity of Ontario’s communities is at risk. We can solve this crisis, but we need to work together.” The crisis stems from decades of underinvestment in deeply affordable housing, income support and mental health and addictions treatment, combined with escalating economic pressures on communities. Ontario is the only province where responsibility for social housing has been downloaded to municipalities. Municipal funding for housing and homelessness programs has grown significantly in recent years, totalling more than $2.1 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, recent provincial investments represent just a fraction of what’s required, offering nominal increases to already overstretched shelter and housing programs. The report proposes a fundamentally new approach that focuses on long-term housing solutions over temporary emergency measures and enforcement: An estimated additional $11 billion over 10 years could end chronic homelessness by boosting the supply of affordable housing, improving transitional and supportive services, and enhancing prevention programs. An additional $2 billion over 8 years could largely eliminate encampments. AMO urges provincial and federal governments to take significant, long-term action on affordable housing, mental health and addictions services, and income supports to fix homelessness to improve communities’ economic foundations and quality of life. The full report and backgrounder provide a detailed analysis and actionable solutions for governments and stakeholders.
Armour Council 2024 Updates From the official ribbon-cutting to commemorate completion of our major upgrades at the Katrine Community Centre (KCC) to planning for the retirement of some long-term staff, 2024 has certainly been another eventful year. Projects and Priorities Staff and Council at Armour Township measure ourselves against six key focus areas which were developed at the start of this council term in November 2022. These areas were felt by Council to represent the best ways to steer our energies and support our ratepayers. These are: Value for Constituents Protection of Natural Assets Cooperation and Shared Services Health and Wellness Economic Development Housing and Growth The original “Preparing for the Future in the Almaguin Highlands” presentation is available on the Armour Township website at PowerPoint Presentation (cdn-website.com) . We also monitor and update our progress every 6 months. Value for Constituents The site for a new Fire Hall to replace the current aging building was selected and the purchase of the property at the corner of Ferguson Road and Pegg’s Mountain Road was completed by staff in 2024. In addition, Armour retained the services of a local developer to create a site plan for this location which would lay out the Fire Hall site as well as a location for a future Health and Wellness Centre and potential other services. Armour staff have also been working, on behalf of Tri-Council, on options for a new / expanded library location. Along with the previously-mentioned major renovation of the Katrine Community Centre, a project to expand storage capabilities at the Watt Century Farmhouse were also completed in 2024. Both projects were completed through successful grant applications. Our new Recreation Department has been exceptionally busy implementing very popular and successful programs, covering all age groups and activities. From the Kids Summer Program to the annual Winter Karnival and everything in between, the KCC is an extremely busy place all year round. We continue our work creating Centres of Excellence whereby Armour Township can provide various services to partner municipalities. We are now providing full By-Law services to seven municipalities (along with training services to others); leadership and accountability for Emergency Planning for four municipalities; shared resources for Economic Development and Clerk/Treasurer roles; expanded services outside Armour by our new Recreation department; and contingency and coverage for Building services with surrounding municipalities. We will continually look for ways to provide excellent services while covering our costs, with a view to the entire Almaguin Highlands. We also continue our leadership role in areas that impact the entire region, including economic development, healthcare and land-use planning. And our region-wide focus is also represented by staff leadership in organizing and running both the highly-successful annual Heritage Day and Firefighters Challenge and the annual Santa Claus Parade. Protection of Natural Resources The lakes, forests, trails, rivers and parks in the Almaguin Highlands are critical in so many ways. Protection of these resources really underpins everything else in the community. Much of the planning principles that exist in our Official Plan and our Zoning By-Laws (and other related planning activities) centre around protection of resources. Staff and council took part in an Integrated Watershed workshop hosted by the Town of Huntsville and Township of Lake of Bays and continually take part in on-going sessions hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Cooperation and Shared Services Armour started hosting quarterly “Almaguin Highlands Heads of Council” sessions in January of 2023, with all 12 mayors from the Almaguin Highlands invited to discuss topics which impact all of us across the region. These sessions have proven to be very valuable and certainly assist from a communication perspective. These sessions are expected to continue quarterly. Health and Wellness Armour Township Council has listed the pursuit of a new, purpose-built health and wellness centre as a top priority. We continue to work with private sector partners, Muskoka Algonquin Health Care (MAHC), the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, local healthcare providers and the Almaguin Highlands Health Council (AHHC) to determine requirements for the potential new facility. Armour has already donated a lot of 3 acres on the newly-acquired Ferguson Road / Pegg’s Mountain Road parcel for this purpose. Armour Township had already taken a lead role in championing support across Almaguin for the new Muskoka Algonquin Health Care hospital build (Huntsville / Bracebridge). As announced officially in October 2023, the “local share” component of the build has now been confirmed. The new build will take into account not only two physical builds, but the need for an entire healthcare ‘eco-system’ from Gravenhurst to Sundridge and all points in between. The Almaguin Highlands is a true partner now in this initiative. The application for funding by MAHC was officially sent to the Ministry of Health / Infrastructure Ontario in November 2024. Economic Development We continue to work alongside Almaguin Community and Economic Development (ACED) in efforts to attract development to our area. Starting in 2025, the director of ACED, Dave Gray, will act in the dual role of Director for ACED and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Armour Township, upon John Theriault’s retirement in March. This will provide cost savings for ACED and allow succession planning to other ACED staff in the coming months. Our set of priorities is ultimately meant to support future, steady growth in our region. We see huge opportunity for Armour to be a future housing destination, with a full range of built-for-purpose rentals and single, detached family homes. Housing and Growth ACED initiated the Almaguin Housing Task Force in 2023, with participants from a range of housing-related areas (developers, builders), municipal planners and building officials, business owners, planning boards and members of council. The final set of recommendations was provided to all Almaguin municipalities in September 2024. Staff Adjustments As mentioned, 2024 and 2025 will bring some changes in staffing; however, succession planning has been in the works for some time. We are sad to see our CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, John Theriault, head into retirement after 10 years at Armour (and an astounding 50 years in municipal jobs!). John will continue to be available to us for assistance throughout 2025 but his last day of full-time work will come at the end of January. John will be succeeded by a familiar face, Dave Gray, who will take on the expanded role of CAO and Director of Economic Development (ACED). In addition, long-term staff Charlene Watt and Alison McGregor will take on roles of Clerk and Treasurer, respectively. Dave McNay retired as the Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson Fire Chief in 2024 and was replaced by another familiar face, Joe Readman. Doug Godin was welcomed on board in 2024 as our new Chief Building Officer. And we will also be sad to see Keith McCoy retire in 2025. Keith has been with Armour Township since 2008, and has been our Roads Supervisor since 2012. We wish John, Keith and Dave M. all the best in their retirement! List of Key Committees and Contacts Library – Rod Blakelock, Councillor Almaguin Community Economic Development (ACED) – Wendy Whitwell, Councillor (chair) Parry Sound District Social Services Board (DSSAB) – Jerry Brandt, Councillor Katrine Community Centre – Dorothy Haggart-Davis, Councillor; Danika McCann (chair) Almaguin Highlands Health Council – Rod Ward, Mayor (chair) South East Parry Sound Planning Board (SEPSPB) – Rod Ward, Mayor (chair) Almaguin Housing Task Force – Wendy Whitwell, Councillor; Rod Ward (SEPSPB) Armour / Ryerson / Burk’s Falls Agricultural Society – Rod Blakelock, Councillor Emergency Response Committee – Amy Tilley (chair) MAHC Local Share and Muskoka Area OHT committees – Rod Ward, Mayor Burk’s Falls & District Historical Society – Diane Brandt (chair) Heritage Festival – Charlene Watt (chair) Santa Claus Parade – Danika McCann (chair)
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