Super User
Planning Act
What is the Planning Act?
The Planning Act sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario and describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them.
The Act is legislation passed by your elected provincial representatives to:
- promote sustainable economic development in a healthy natural environment within a provincial policy framework
- provide for a land use planning system led by provincial policy
- integrate matters of provincial interest into provincial and municipal planning decisions by requiring that all decisions shall be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement when decision-makers exercise planning authority or provide advice on planning matters
- provide for planning processes that are fair by making them open, accessible, timely and efficient
- encourage co-operation and coordination among various interests
- recognize the decision-making authority and accountability of municipal councils in planning.
The province:
- issues provincial policy statements under the Planning Act
- prepares provincial plans e.g. Greenbelt Plan and Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006
- promotes provincial interests, such as protecting farmland, natural resources and the environment, as well as promoting development that is designed to be sustainable, supportive of public transit and oriented to pedestrians
- provides one-window planning service to municipalities through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the primary provincial contact for advice and information on land use planning issues
- gives advice to municipalities and the public on land use planning issues
- administers local planning controls and gives approval where required.
The local municipality:
- makes local planning decisions that will determine the future of communities
- prepares planning documents, such as:
- an official plan, which sets out the municipality's general planning goals and policies that will guide future land use
- zoning by-laws, which set the rules and regulations that control development as it occurs
- ensures planning decisions and planning documents are consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and conform or do not conflict with provincial plans.
The County of Lanark has the authority to approve consents (severances), plans of subdivision and condominium, condominium exemptions and part-lot control by-laws. For further information visit the following link Lanark County - Planning Approvals or contact the County of Lanark at 613-267-4200 and ask for the Planning Department.
Under the Planning Act, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing may, from time to time, issue provincial statements on matters related to land use planning that are of provincial interest.
The Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (PPS, 2020) contains clear, overall policy directions on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development.
Lakes
Lanark Highlands is dotted with numerous lakes and rivers which provide excellent opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. Below is a list of some of the easily accessible lakes in the township. There are many public and private lakes throughout the municipality.
The Paddle: Circumnavigate the lake. Following northwest shore brings you into mouth of the Indian River. Explore to bridge on Galbraith Rd. Lunch sites near bridge.
Watch for: extensive wild rice beds, ducks and marsh birds.
Fish: Pike, Walleye, Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Perch, Brown Bullhead.
Seasonal information: Wild rice best in autumn. Good until freeze-up.
Directions: From Carleton Place travel West on Highway 7 towards Perth. Turn Right onto County Road 9 (Tatlock Road) and travel for approximately 13km. Launch is located on the left as you enter the Village of Clayton.
Facilities/Activities
- boat launch - canoes and kayaks
- birding
- wild rice
Fish: Northern Pike, Large Mouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed.
Directions: From Highway #7 travel North on Highway #511. Turn left onto the French Line Road. Continue on the French Line Road to Lavant Darling Road. At the village of Joes Lake, turn right onto the Flower Station Road to the K&P Trail. Head East on the K&P for approximately 8km. A natural shoreline is used to launch watercraft at this crown campsite. Area is fairly remote. Public Access can be found for small motorized and cartop watercraft.
Facilities/Activities
- boat launch - small motorized boat, canoes and kayaks
- fishing
On the west shore of Dalhousie Lake sits Centennial Park. Centennial Park has a sandy beach, change rooms, a small park with picnic tables, playground and boat launch.
Fish: Yellow pickerel, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Yellow perch, Brown bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rock bass, White sucker, Minnows
Directions: located on Lavant Mill Road, 6km North West of County Road 12 in McDonalds Corners, west of the Village of Lanark
Facilities/Activities
- sandy beach
- playground
- picnic tables
- boat launch - motorized boat, canoes and kayaks
- fishing
- swimming
Public access to Joe's Lake is located on Flower Station Road across from a baseball field where small motorized and cartop watercraft can be launched.
Fish: Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass
Directions: From County Road 511, turn left onto French Line Road. Continue left onto Lavant Darling Road. Stay on Lavant Darling Road (past Campbell’s Road) and turn right onto Flower Station Road.
Facilities/Activities
- boat launch - small motorized boat, canoes and kayaks
- fishing
- Baseball Diamond
- Community Centre
South Lavant Community Park offers a six-acre site on Robertson Lake. Pack a lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying the outdoors.
Directions: From Perth take HWY #511 North to 2km past Hopetown Village. Turn Left on South Lavant Road. Continue to #4101 South Lavant Rd * Lavant Community Centre Park
Facilities/Activities
- boat launch
- beach
- public washrooms
- change rooms
- picnic tables
- swimming
- ball diamond
- Community hall available for rent Community Centres
The entire lake is shared with 4 different municipalities.
The west end of White Lake is like northern lakes with rocky shores, islands, wetland coves and bays.
The Lanark Highlands portion of the lake does have a boat launch on Wabalac road.
Watch For: Unusual creek opening on north shore leading to falling brook. Interesting rock formations and wild flowers. Watch for bald eagles.
Fish: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Pike, Perch, Brown Bullhead
Directions:
From Perth, take County Rd. 511 almost to edge of Lanark County. Watch for boat launch sign at White Lake Rd. Go 1.4 km to 3-way split. Take left fork onto Wabalac Rd. 0.9 km, then turn right onto Wabalac Side Rd., then 0.2 km to public access boat launch.Facilities/Activities
- boat launch
- island picnic sites
- gravel beach
- swimming
Clyde River Park, in Lanark Village, is a waterfront park which incorporates shade from mature trees, a play structure, beautiful flower boxes and a small, sandy beach. Located just off of George Street on the north side of the bridge, it’s a great place to have a picnic.
Directions: Located just off George Street in Lanark village.
Facilities/Activities
- playground
- beach
- swimming
- Boat Launch located one street down from beach, at the end of Clarence St
Round Flower Lake is one of the headwater lakes of the Clyde River system. Flower Round Lake supports a warm water fishery.
Directions:From Perth travel North on HWY #511, Turn Left onto French Line Rd. Continue on to Lavant Darling Rd. At the Village of Joe's Lake, Turn Right onto Flower Station Rd. Continue on to the Lake.
Facilities/Activities
- Boat Launch
OMYA’s Tatlock Quarry
The famous Tatlock marble quarry is owned by the Swiss mineral company OMYA. It produces calcium carbonate derived from natural marble (or limestone) rock formation. Calcium carbonate is used as filler in things like paint, plastics, paper and toothpaste. The Tatlock quarry is about 900 meters long, 400 meters wide and 110 meters deep.
There’s some interesting geology here. The limestone was formed by the skeletal fragments of marine organisms populating a vast inland sea. Over time ancient geological processes metamorphosed limestone through heat and pressure into marble. Striations and darker bands clearly show how the original limestone layers were gently folded and thrust upward as they transformed into marble over time.
Tatlock Quarry is temporary closed to the public. For further information please contact Carlos Morales Velez, Quarry Manager, Omya Canada Inc.
Mobile: +1 613-724-0380
Plant Line: +1-613-267-5367 x6302
Internet: www.omya.com
Museums
Address:
1132 3rd Concession Dalhousie,
Watson’s Corners, ON K0G 1K0
Phone:
613‑259‑3110
Victoria Day to Labour Day Weekends
HOURS:
Sunday & Holiday Mondays
11:00am – 4:00pm
First rural library in ON!!
The Dalhousie Historic Library became the first Public Library in the old Bathurst District and the first rural library in ON. It was established in 1828. Now a Museum, it contains many old books and artifacts from days past, as well as genealogical records. It is housed in the Watson's Corners Community Hall.
Address:
80 George Street, P.O. Box 340,
Lanark, ON K0G 1K0
Phone:
613‑259‑2575
Hours:
Wednesday - Sunday
July 2 ‑ September 1
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
A Link with Lanark’s Heritage – Past, Present and Future.
The Lanark and District Museum houses displays of tools, clothing and artifacts collected from Lanark area pioneer homes, as well as a library of Canadiana books and Genealogy Records, which includes the only complete set of Lanark Eras available (1895-2000). These may be read on microfilm at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College or at Archives Lanark (613-267-2232).
Address:
5596 McDonald's Corners Road,
McDonalds Corners, ON K0G 1M0
Phone:
613‑278‑1203
Website
Hours:
Saturday
May to October
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
or By Appointment
Baskets Galore
The museum has over 200 exhibits in the 1930s stable building. The exhibits focus on baskets made from 15 different local materials. Some of these materials are growing in the gardens around the museum.
The exhibitions include basketry tools and various techniques for functional and decorative baskets.
All of the baskets have been collected by Ankaret Dean in her 40+ years as a fibre artist and instructor. Some baskets in the exhibition were made by Ankaret, others by First Nations basketmakers from across Canada, and some by international basketmakers.
Address:
2130 Concession Rd 6D Lanark,
Middleville, ON, K0G 1K0
Phone:
613‑259‑5462
Website
Hours:
Saturday, Sunday & Holiday Mondays
Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend
2022: May 21st - October 10th
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Admission:
$5.00 per person
12 and under free.
Step into the past.
Explore Lanark Township history in our informative country museum located in the Hamlet of Middleville. Set in an 1861 two-story stone school, the pioneer spirit shines from every corner of this unique museum. Treasures from days past are waiting to be discovered.
Highlights:
- A dramatic horse drawn hearse
- A dugout canoe made of a single basswood log
- Old time maple syrup and cheese making displays
- An 1830's "barn-frame" loom
- Blacksmithing tools and farm implements
- Lanark County lumbering and shanty artefacts
- Original genealogical documents and family records.
Address:
1001 Highland Line,
McDonalds Corners, ON, K0G 1M0
Phone:
613-278–2090
Website
Hours:
Every day
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
All things maple!
Maple Heritage Museum
Maple Heritage Museum houses the largest collection of maple syrup artifacts and related items. There are extensive displays ranging from the First Nations discovery of maple syrup to Settlers modernizing methods.
The wall logs of the museum are recycled from century old hay barns and all the lumber was cut and sawed on the property.
Forest & Farm Museum
The Forest & Farm Museum is home to over 600 vintage chainsaws & unique farming tools. Some chainsaws came from right here in Lanark County and Eastern ON while other saws come from all over the world, like New England, Quebec, and as far away as British Columbia and Alaska.
Ball Parks
Clyde Memorial Park
Address: 84 Clarence Street, Lanark, K0G 1K0
Clyde Memorial Ball Park has witnessed thousands of ball games during its long history. With its unique natural setting the ball diamond has been a prized possession of Lanark Highlands for almost 200 years. Clyde Memorial Ball diamond has hosted 5 different Canadian Big League Baseball Championships, filling the park with almost 4,000 spectators a game. The park boasts a well maintained international sized hardball diamond.
Vincent Hall Memorial Ball Diamond
Address: 4341 Watsons Corners Rd, Mcdonalds Corners, K0G 1M0
Lanark & District Community Centre
Public Skating Hours
Sunday's
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday's
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Admission
Adult $4.20
Child $1.20
Family $8.20
Public skating pass-buy 10 get one free
Lanark & District Community Centre Address
67 Princess St. Lanark, ON
Phone #: 613-259-3345
Arena
The ice surface is available for ice rentals on weekdays and weekends from October to the end of March.
During the winter season, the ice surface is used for hockey, figure-skating and broomball events by a number of groups.
During the summer months the facility holds a capacity of up to 400 people and is available for off-season rentals. Possibilities include:
- Weddings
- Receptions
- Stags
- Concerts
- Festivals
- Tradeshows
- Dinners
Youth & Minor Hockey - $130.60 + HST
Non-Prime Time (9am-3pm weekdays) - $156.68 + HST
Prime-Time (3pm-12am weekdays, weekends and holidays) - $198.40 + HST
Broomball - $156.68 + HST
Schools (weekdays) - $72.53 + HST
Advertising Rental Signs - $188.31 + HST
Looking to hit the ice? View the current ice schedule or request an ice booking below.
Ice Rental Inquiries:
Canada Day
Committee of Adjustment
In municipal politics, the Committee of Adjustment (COA) is a quasi-judicial body responsible for making decisions regarding certain land-use applications, typically in relation to zoning bylaws and official plans. The committee has the authority to grant minor variances and consent applications (land severances), which are generally related to land-use or property development that do not conform to the established zoning regulations, but are deemed minor enough not to warrant a full zoning bylaw amendment.
Applications to the Committee of Adjustment will be processed in accordance with the requirements of Sections 45 and 53 of the Planning Act, applicable regulations (O.Reg. 200/96 and 197/96 as amended), the Statutory Powers Procedures Act and applicable Township policies.
NOTE: The committee holds public hearings, allowing neighbors and interested parties to provide feedback on the applications.
Their decision is based on the information presented at the hearing, which includes staff reports, public comments, and considerations for the broader community’s well-being.
Contact: Nicole Guthrie, Clerk, 613-259-2398, ext 231
Sarah Hobbs, Planning, Building and Clerk Administrative Assistant, ext 250
{slide= Notice of Meetings }
75 George Street,
PO BOX 340
Lanark, Ontario
K0G 1K0
613-259-2398
1-800-239-4695
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.