6.1 (1) In this section, “public body” means a municipality, local board, ministry, department, board, commission, agency or official of a provincial or federal government or a First Nation.  2005, c. 1, s. 25 (1). Amendments to Plan (2) An amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan may be initiated by the Minister or by the Commission, and application may be made to the Commission by any person or public body requesting an amendment to the Plan.  2005, c. 1, s. 25 (1); 2009, c. 12, Sched. L, ss. 7, 9 (1). Material to accompany application (2.1) An application to the Commission by a person or public body requesting an amendment to the Plan shall include a statement of the justification for the amendment and shall be accompanied by research material, reports, plans and the like that were used in the preparation of the amendment.  2005, c. 1, s. 25 (1); 2009, c. 12, Sched. L, s. 9 (1). Restriction re: applications or requests to amend the Plan (2.2) No person or public body shall make an application or request to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan if the application or request relates to land that is within the land use designation of Escarpment Natural Area, Escarpment Protection Area, Mineral Resource Extraction Area or Escarpment Rural Area of the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the application or request seeks to, (a) redesignate the land to the land use designation of Minor Urban Centre, Urban Area or Escarpment Recreation Area of the Niagara Escarpment Plan; or (b) make any other amendment to permit urban uses.  2005, c. 1, s. 25 (1); 2009, c. 12, Sched. L, s. 9 (2). Exception (2.3) Despite subsection (2.2), an application, request or proposal to redesignate land in the Niagara Escarpment Plan to the land use designation of Minor Urban Centre, Urban Area or Escarpment Recreation Area of the Niagara Escarpment Plan or to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan to permit urban uses may be made during the review set out in subsection 17 (1) and in order for any such application, request or proposal to be considered during the review it must be included in the terms of reference established for the review under subsection 17 (2).  2005, c. 1, s. 25 (1); 2009, c. 12, Sched. L, s. 9 (2). Rejection of certain applications (3) Where, in the opinion of the Commission, an application for an amendment does not disclose a planning justification for the amendment, is not in the public interest, is without merit, is frivolous or vexatious or is made only for the purpose of delay, the Commission shall inform the Minister of its opinion and, where the Minister concurs in that opinion, the Minister shall inform the applicant in writing of his or her opinion and notify the applicant that unless the applicant makes written representations thereon to the Minister within such time as the Minister specifies in the notice, not being less than 15 days from the time the notice is given, the provisions of this Act in respect of the consideration of the amendment shall not apply, and approval of the amendment shall be deemed to be refused.  1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 4 (3). Same (4) Where representations are made to the Minister under subsection (3), the Minister, after giving consideration thereto, shall inform the applicant in writing either that the Minister’s opinion is confirmed and that approval of the amendment is deemed to be refused or that the Minister has directed that consideration of the amendment be proceeded with in accordance with this Act.  1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 4 (3). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 4 (3) - 22/12/1999 2005, c. 1, s. 25 (1)
- 16/12/2004 2009, c. 12, Sched. L, s. 7, 9 (1, 2) - 14/05/2009