Settlement Areas
 18. (1) The purpose of Settlement Areas is to focus and contain urban growth by, (0.a)  encouraging the development of communities that provide their residents with convenient access to an appropriate mix of employment, transportation options and local services and a full range of housing and public service facilities; (a)  minimizing the encroachment and impact of development on the ecological functions and hydrological features of the Plan Area; (b)  promoting the efficient use of land with transit-supportive densities, through intensification and redevelopment within existing urban areas; and (c)  providing for the continuation and development of urban land uses consistent with the growth management strategies identified in the applicable official plans.  O. Reg. 140/02, s. 18 (1); O. Reg. 141/17, s. 10 (1). (2) Settlement Areas also have the objectives of, (a)  maintaining and, where possible, improving or restoring the health, diversity, size and connectivity of key natural heritage features, key hydrologic features and the related ecological functions; (b)  accommodating a trail system through the Plan Area and trail connections to it; (c)  promoting strong communities, a strong economy and a healthy environment; (c.1)  promoting the locating of two or more compatible public services in one building or place that is conveniently situated so as to be accessible to local residents by walking, cycling and, where available, public transit; (c.2)  ensuring that development takes place in a manner that reduced greenhouse gas emissions; (c.3)  conserving cultural heritage resources; (c.4)  ensuring the sustainable use of water resources; and (d)  providing for economic development that is compatible with subsection (1) and clauses (a) to (c.4).  O. Reg. 140/02, s. 18 (2); O. Reg. 141/17, s. 10 (2-4). (3) With respect to land in Settlement Areas, all uses permitted by the applicable official plan are permitted, subject to the provisions of this Plan that are listed in subsections 19 (3) and 31 (4).  O. Reg. 140/02, s. 18 (3). (4) New lots may be created in Settlement Areas, subject to the provisions of this Plan that are listed in subsections 19 (3) and 31 (4).  O. Reg. 140/02, s. 18 (4). (5) With respect to land in a Settlement Area that does not include a key natural heritage feature or a key hydrologic feature, an application for site plan approval under section 41 of the Planning Act is
not required to comply with any provision of this Plan.  O. Reg. 140/02, s. 18 (5); O. Reg. 141/17, s. 10 (5). (6) With respect to land in a Settlement Area, nothing in this Plan applies to prevent a use or the erection or location of a building or structure if, (a)  the use, erection and location would have been permitted by the applicable zoning by-law on November 15, 2001; (b)  the use is permitted by the applicable official plan and zoning by-laws as amended in accordance with sections 9 and 10 of the Act to bring them into conformity with this Plan, although the erection and location do not comply with the provisions listed in subsections 19 (3) and 31 (4); (c)  the use, erection and location conform to sections 28 and 29, subsections 45 (7) and (8) and section 47; and (d)  the applicant demonstrates, to the extent possible, that the use, erection or location will not adversely affect the ecological integrity of the Plan Area.  O. Reg. 140/02, s. 18 (6). PART III   PROTECTING ECOLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL INTEGRITY