Healthy Rural Communities

Population: 21,569

Initiative 

 Rural communities finding creative solutions for value added agricultural practices.

Context

 A key initiative that aids the township is a comprehensive zoning by-law that allows for home occupations and home industries. This type of zoning by-law is meant to encourage small businesses on rural properties.

Official Plan Policy

 2.7 Economic  Development

c) Encouraging the development of home-based businesses provided the proposed use is compatible with adjacent land uses;

d) Providing opportunities to improve and enhance the quality of agriculture value-added industry in the Township including local agricultural food production processing and distribution;

Innovative Features 

 Home Industries Zoning By-Law

• These industries are meant to serve the surrounding farm community and could include: small welding shops, wood- working businesses, bed and breakfasts, as well as other home occupations.

• These home industries are considered small business incubators which could move into larger employment areas in the future.

Key Lessons and Tools

• Focus on promoting agricultural businesses and food production businesses. Some of the success that the township has been experiencing is a result of hard work which has focused on promoting and growing agricultural related businesses.

• Have committees that support various municipal initiatives.

Contact

Don Gordon, Planner

dgordon@scugog.ca

905-985-7346 ext. 153