Implementation of Province’s Municipal Zoning Order (MZO) - Black Bear Ridge

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Aerial photo of Ontario Regulation 495/22 Ministry Zoning Order (MZO)

Ontario Regulation 495/22 is a Ministry Zoning Order (MZO) that applies to approximately 370 hectares of land within the City of Belleville generally known as Black Bear Ridge Golf and Resort. This order from the Minister of Municipal Housing and Affairs (MMAH) deemed the regulation of the MZO as to be and to always have been a by-law passed by Council of the City of Belleville; meaning the MZO prevails over any municipal by-laws.

The MZO established specific regulations governing land uses and zoning by permitting a fully serviced resort community with a variety of uses including residential, commercial, recreational, and open space features. The MZO limits the number of dwelling units within the MZO area to a total of 3,049 dwelling units. Ontario Regulation 495/22 can be viewed in full at https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22495

The City will be facilitating the order since it prevails over any municipal by-laws, but the developer is required to follow the development process.

This project page will be updated as new information is provided.

Ontario Regulation 495/22 is a Ministry Zoning Order (MZO) that applies to approximately 370 hectares of land within the City of Belleville generally known as Black Bear Ridge Golf and Resort. This order from the Minister of Municipal Housing and Affairs (MMAH) deemed the regulation of the MZO as to be and to always have been a by-law passed by Council of the City of Belleville; meaning the MZO prevails over any municipal by-laws.

The MZO established specific regulations governing land uses and zoning by permitting a fully serviced resort community with a variety of uses including residential, commercial, recreational, and open space features. The MZO limits the number of dwelling units within the MZO area to a total of 3,049 dwelling units. Ontario Regulation 495/22 can be viewed in full at https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22495

The City will be facilitating the order since it prevails over any municipal by-laws, but the developer is required to follow the development process.

This project page will be updated as new information is provided.

  • September 8, 2025 - Notice of Decision

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    We’d like to notify that amendments to the Zoning By-law and Official Plan were brought forward to Council on September 8, 2025 and was approved by Council. The Draft Plan of Subdivision is still under review by City Staff.

    The agenda and recording of the Council meeting can be found here: https://citybellevilleon.civicweb.net/document/103041/?splitscreen=true

    We’d like to notify that amendments to the Zoning By-law and Official Plan were brought forward to Council on September 8, 2025 and was approved by Council. The Draft Plan of Subdivision is still under review by City Staff.

    The agenda and recording of the Council meeting can be found here: https://citybellevilleon.civicweb.net/document/103041/?splitscreen=true

  • July 7, 2025 - Public Meeting

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    A public meeting was held at City Hall on July 7, 2025. The agenda and recording of the meeting can be viewed at https://citybellevilleon.civicweb.net/document/100233/?splitscreen=true&media=true

    A public meeting was held at City Hall on July 7, 2025. The agenda and recording of the meeting can be viewed at https://citybellevilleon.civicweb.net/document/100233/?splitscreen=true&media=true

  • April 22, 2025 - Applications Submitted

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    On April 22, 2025, three following applications were submitted to the City of Belleville:

    • The Official Plan Amendment application proposes to define the vision for the proposed development and provide certainty about the community’s future through a Secondary Plan;
    • The Zoning By-law Amendment application proposes minor boundary adjustment to the Minister’s zoning boundaries that are within Phase 1 of the development and, as confirmed by more recent studies, should have been included as part of the original MZO; and
    • A proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision for Phase 1 comprises of 559 of the 3,049 dwelling units permitted by the MZO.

    All these applications and their supporting studies were deemed complete on May 21, 2025, are under review by Staff, and undergoing their respective statutory processes. Stay informed and access the supporting studies by visiting https://www.belleville.ca/en/do-business/current-planning-and-development-applications.aspx.

    On April 22, 2025, three following applications were submitted to the City of Belleville:

    • The Official Plan Amendment application proposes to define the vision for the proposed development and provide certainty about the community’s future through a Secondary Plan;
    • The Zoning By-law Amendment application proposes minor boundary adjustment to the Minister’s zoning boundaries that are within Phase 1 of the development and, as confirmed by more recent studies, should have been included as part of the original MZO; and
    • A proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision for Phase 1 comprises of 559 of the 3,049 dwelling units permitted by the MZO.

    All these applications and their supporting studies were deemed complete on May 21, 2025, are under review by Staff, and undergoing their respective statutory processes. Stay informed and access the supporting studies by visiting https://www.belleville.ca/en/do-business/current-planning-and-development-applications.aspx.