Welcome to Planned Bayfield!

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Consultation has concluded

The purpose of this project is to provide more direction for Bayfield as it changes. Your input will help to shape decision making in your community - thank you for participating!

First Draft of Bayfield Secondary Plan & Upcoming Public Consultations

The first draft of the Bayfield Secondary Plan is available for public review and comment! Initiated in 2020 but stalled due to the pandemic, the Secondary Plan has been under development for the past 2 years and is a document that will help to manage change within the Village. Bluewater Council received the Background Report at their August 2022 meeting and a condensed version of the Secondary Plan has been prepared in response to feedback from the Citizen Advisory Committee. 

Key Changes & Recommendations 

  • Minor expansion of the 'Core Commercial' designation. 
  • Expanded ‘Highway Commercial’ designation along Mill Road permitting highway commercial uses and select community facilities;
  • Enhanced protection of existing natural areas;
  • Identification of new park spaces through use of unopened road allowances;
  • Formal call for update to Heritage Conservation District Plan (approved in 1984) to manage aesthetic change along Main Street North and Clan Gregor Square;
  • Permit wider range of dwelling types (ie. single with additional residential unit, semi-detached) within established neighbourhoods; and
  • Require newly developing areas to achieve minimum density targets (15 units/hectare) to ensure efficient use of land. 

The purpose of the Open House is to provide an informal opportunity to discuss the Plan with staff, ask questions and provide feedback. The Public Meeting will feature a formal presentation from staff followed by a question and answer period. 

Owners of large, undeveloped parcels will be receiving an invitation for a one-on-one meeting with Planning staff to discuss the Plan and how it may affect future development. Should you not receive a letter and would like to speak to the Planner, please call 1-888-524-8394, ext 3 or email dvanamersfoort@huroncounty.ca

Following the public consultation period, the Citizen Advisory Committee and staff will review community feedback and identify necessary amendments to the Plan. The final Secondary Plan will then be forwarded to Bluewater Council for approval and implementation. 

Questions? 

Please email Denise Van Amersfoort, Manager of Planning, at dvanamersfoort@huroncounty.ca or speak to a member of the Citizen Advisory Committee.

 

Background

What is a Secondary Plan?

The Municipality of Bluewater has initiated the development of a Secondary Plan for Bayfield. What is a Secondary Plan? It is a specific tool which: 

  • Helps understand opportunities and address issues related to land use in certain defined geographic areas;
  • Provides specific policies for those areas of the Municipality where more detailed direction is needed for matters beyond the general framework provided by the Official Plan; and
  • Provides an opportunity to promote consistency in new/developing areas and compatibility within existing areas where intensification may occur. 

The Plan development will be informed by a Citizen Advisory Committee which will ensure a broad range of perspectives are considered. 

Why now?

With increased capacity at the wastewater treatment plant, Bayfield will have the infrastructure required to accommodate new growth. The purpose of the Secondary Plan is to ensure that change and growth, such as new residential and highway commercial developments, are designed to meet community's long term vision. 




What We Heard & Early Ideas (Video)



The purpose of this project is to provide more direction for Bayfield as it changes. Your input will help to shape decision making in your community - thank you for participating!

First Draft of Bayfield Secondary Plan & Upcoming Public Consultations

The first draft of the Bayfield Secondary Plan is available for public review and comment! Initiated in 2020 but stalled due to the pandemic, the Secondary Plan has been under development for the past 2 years and is a document that will help to manage change within the Village. Bluewater Council received the Background Report at their August 2022 meeting and a condensed version of the Secondary Plan has been prepared in response to feedback from the Citizen Advisory Committee. 

Key Changes & Recommendations 

  • Minor expansion of the 'Core Commercial' designation. 
  • Expanded ‘Highway Commercial’ designation along Mill Road permitting highway commercial uses and select community facilities;
  • Enhanced protection of existing natural areas;
  • Identification of new park spaces through use of unopened road allowances;
  • Formal call for update to Heritage Conservation District Plan (approved in 1984) to manage aesthetic change along Main Street North and Clan Gregor Square;
  • Permit wider range of dwelling types (ie. single with additional residential unit, semi-detached) within established neighbourhoods; and
  • Require newly developing areas to achieve minimum density targets (15 units/hectare) to ensure efficient use of land. 

The purpose of the Open House is to provide an informal opportunity to discuss the Plan with staff, ask questions and provide feedback. The Public Meeting will feature a formal presentation from staff followed by a question and answer period. 

Owners of large, undeveloped parcels will be receiving an invitation for a one-on-one meeting with Planning staff to discuss the Plan and how it may affect future development. Should you not receive a letter and would like to speak to the Planner, please call 1-888-524-8394, ext 3 or email dvanamersfoort@huroncounty.ca

Following the public consultation period, the Citizen Advisory Committee and staff will review community feedback and identify necessary amendments to the Plan. The final Secondary Plan will then be forwarded to Bluewater Council for approval and implementation. 

Questions? 

Please email Denise Van Amersfoort, Manager of Planning, at dvanamersfoort@huroncounty.ca or speak to a member of the Citizen Advisory Committee.

 

Background

What is a Secondary Plan?

The Municipality of Bluewater has initiated the development of a Secondary Plan for Bayfield. What is a Secondary Plan? It is a specific tool which: 

  • Helps understand opportunities and address issues related to land use in certain defined geographic areas;
  • Provides specific policies for those areas of the Municipality where more detailed direction is needed for matters beyond the general framework provided by the Official Plan; and
  • Provides an opportunity to promote consistency in new/developing areas and compatibility within existing areas where intensification may occur. 

The Plan development will be informed by a Citizen Advisory Committee which will ensure a broad range of perspectives are considered. 

Why now?

With increased capacity at the wastewater treatment plant, Bayfield will have the infrastructure required to accommodate new growth. The purpose of the Secondary Plan is to ensure that change and growth, such as new residential and highway commercial developments, are designed to meet community's long term vision. 




What We Heard & Early Ideas (Video)



Bayfield: Through the Years

Have you ever wondered what Bayfield looked like in years past? The Village is fortunate to have an active and innovative Historical Society who have a vast stock of historic images and maps. For more recent changes, check out the aerial photography taken of Bayfield in 1955, 1978 and 2015.  What changes do you note in your neighbourhood? Does anything surprise you? Do you wish something had been done differently? 

Click on the map for a closer look.


Add Your Story!

Contribute to the Bayfield Secondary Plan by adding your Bayfield Story here:

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Pending progression in Bayfield on Facebook Share Pending progression in Bayfield on Twitter Share Pending progression in Bayfield on Linkedin Email Pending progression in Bayfield link

    Pending progression in Bayfield

    by Thebog, over 3 years ago
    I would like to start by saying I’m all in with the revitalization of our downtown area and the plan of expansion of a retail and services sector.

    My concerns are simple and complex.
    when street lighting is considered in all areas, we need to ensure it is always “ground level” lighting - please avoid the flood light syndrome. We are on a migratory path and the “used car lot” lighting is bad for birds and our night sky viewing.

    Next, when it comes to higher density dwellings, don’t assume they will be for residential full time owners. The amount... Continue reading

  • Share Bayfield - Small, Clean and Green on Facebook Share Bayfield - Small, Clean and Green on Twitter Share Bayfield - Small, Clean and Green on Linkedin Email Bayfield - Small, Clean and Green link

    Bayfield - Small, Clean and Green

    by bigpink, over 3 years ago

    The most important consideration from my perspective in Bayfield is to keep the village small, clean and green. We really do not need any more commercial development in the village and from my perspective any further residential development beyond the current limits should be drastically slowed. We should also dramatically limit the number of big vehicles coming into the village. From my perspective Bayfield Terrace should be closed on both sides of Pioneer Park and if people want to come to the part....they can walk! I remember as a child being able to walk up to the village but now... Continue reading

  • Share Infrastructure and Building Codes for future development on Facebook Share Infrastructure and Building Codes for future development on Twitter Share Infrastructure and Building Codes for future development on Linkedin Email Infrastructure and Building Codes for future development link

    Infrastructure and Building Codes for future development

    by TedEddy, over 3 years ago

    We are rapidly moving to an era totally dependent on electricity. A steady, reliable, and secure supply of electricity will form the basis of all future development.

    Building codes will need to be created to enforce a net zero environmental impact. Codes for buildings to be oriented and roof pitch angles set to achieve maximum exposure to the sun for efficient solar power generation is needed. Buildings would also need codes to address battery backup storage needs and how these storage units would be incorporated into the community electrical grid. Heating will be provided by heat pumps running on plumbing... Continue reading

  • Share Village assets on Facebook Share Village assets on Twitter Share Village assets on Linkedin Email Village assets link

    Village assets

    by MAC, over 3 years ago
    We have had a cottage in Bayfield for almost a decade and love it here. Best activities are yoga and sunsets in Pioneer Park, sailing, walks in the leafier and secret areas east of Tuyll, and dining and cruising Main Street, especially for arts and crafty things. We don;t live on the Lake but appreciate the view from the Park. We are also avid cyclists and appreciate our rich agriculture region and how it can sustain us farm and Lake to table.

    I think the spirit of young entrepreneurship here is unique and should not be taken for granted, especially... Continue reading

  • Share Who is this plan for? on Facebook Share Who is this plan for? on Twitter Share Who is this plan for? on Linkedin Email Who is this plan for? link

    Who is this plan for?

    by Anonymous, over 3 years ago

    From what I've read and heard so far this plan doesn't feel like it's helping current residents. Without real funding commitments from Bluewater all these ideas about greenspaces/parks/urban forests are just a smoke screen to cover up the fact this is all about growing a tax base. There doesn't seem to be much incentive for current residents to accept the massive amount of growth that is being proposed in the Village.

    The plan is good for business though but it's tough enough already to get a reservation or a parking spot on Main Street in the Summer.

  • Share Life Style on Facebook Share Life Style on Twitter Share Life Style on Linkedin Email Life Style link

    Life Style

    by donald, over 3 years ago
    We have lived in the vilage from 1985 to 2000 and have noticed many changes and I think folks would like to see the village stay the same but that cannot happen .

    We also plan to retire there this fall , (Maybe) so I would like to see the village be like a small town without BIG houses and have lower stile accomodation for working folks

    Thanks Don

  • Share Change My Mind on Facebook Share Change My Mind on Twitter Share Change My Mind on Linkedin Email Change My Mind link

    Change My Mind

    by Shoddyman, over 3 years ago

    I have deep and abiding concerns about the proposed changes to Bayfield. You cannot manufacture "quaint". The proposed work benefits the businesses on Main Street but has very little benefit for residents.

    Main Street has become with minor exceptions a 'tourist mall'. The essential elements of village life have been pushed to the edges of the domain. Many of the 'improvements' have not been well thought out.

    Drainage - you propose to start at the 'top of the hill' without knowing for sure that the run-off will go where you want it to go.

    You will create a 'faux strip... Continue reading

  • Share The community of the future on Facebook Share The community of the future on Twitter Share The community of the future on Linkedin Email The community of the future link

    The community of the future

    by TedEddy, over 3 years ago

    It is a monumental task to try to envision our world in 2040 as our current way of life will be left behind. There will no longer be any internal combustion driven automobiles, home heating using fossil fuels, and anything involving oil products will become more expensive. That would include asphalt, plastics, synthetic fibres, etc.

    Consumers Gas is getting ahead of the curve by offering to install the geothermal plumbing to provide heating and cooling for homes. Homeowners would lease the facilities, and convert existing gas furnaces and air conditioners to heat pumps.

    To conserve our road infrastructure, steps would... Continue reading

  • Share Safety is an issue on Facebook Share Safety is an issue on Twitter Share Safety is an issue on Linkedin Email Safety is an issue link

    Safety is an issue

    by Shelagh, over 3 years ago
    As a person who has lived on the east side of Highway 21 for 21 wonderful years, I have found it increasingly difficult to cross that road, especially when walking or cycling. There is no pedestrian crosswalk. Cars going south, use a right turn lane for passing around a car turning left. And now, with the addition of Tim Hortons, there is no provision for a right turn into that establishment. Twice in a week I have witnessed vehicles wanting to turn into Tim Hortons, get into the turning lane meant for Foodland and then suddenly having to veer out... Continue reading
  • Share Confusion on Facebook Share Confusion on Twitter Share Confusion on Linkedin Email Confusion link

    Confusion

    by Kokomarb, almost 4 years ago
    I have been coming to Bayfield for the past 35 years. I have seen many changes. Some good some bad. Bayfield is considered an 'Historic' town. Always has been and always should be. Many of the old cottages of the past have been torn down, and replaced with either two more houses and much more modern. The beach of the Bayfield past was a place to come to. I looked forward to the day at the beach. Right now there is no beach to visit. Erosion has taken over. I should hope that this is a major concern for the... Continue reading