Development Services
To proactively create a sustainable and vibrant community by respecting, collaborating and engaging residents and customers and providing efficient and quality professional service
The Development Services Department consists of four divisions: Policy Planning, Development Planning, Engineering, and Building. It administrates and oversees key aspects of the land use planning and development in the Town, through policy development, administration of engineering review, building code review, and development approvals.
The Building Services Division is responsible for the administration of the Ontario Building Code Act and related Council approved Building By-Law. It oversees the permit application process; ensures that all other applicable laws are in compliance; issues building permits, and provides inspections for all new or renovated building construction. It also administers the issuance and approvals of permanent signs under the Town's Sign By-Law.
The Development Engineering Division is responsible for engineering review of development in the Town, administration of works and agreements related to Subdivisions, site alteration By-Law and clean fill permits, inclusive of inspection and closeout processes.
Guidelines and Standard Drawings
Site Alterations
The Policy Planning Division is responsible for growth management in the Town through the Town's Official Plan, Long Range Planning, along with Population Forecasts and demographic analysis. The Policy Planning division is also responsible to ensure that the Town's approved planning documents remain in conformity with Regional and Provincial Plans, along with providing interpretations of the Regional and Provincial plans as they relate to planning applications in the Town.
The Development Planning Division is responsible for managing planning and development approvals in the Town as required by the Planning Act, implementation of urban design through development approvals, maintenance and implementation of the Town's Comprehensive Zoning By-law, Cultural Heritage Resource Management and Planning, administration of the Committee of Adjustment and providing customer service for local resident/business inquiries.
Planning Department FAQ'S
How long does the planning process take?
The length of time it takes to proceed through the planning process depends on a number of factors;
- Type of Plannning Application (ie. some applications have mandatory public meetings etc.)
- Approval Process ( ie. is it an application that can be approved by staff or is a Council report required?)
- Quality of submissions/drawings (ie. more complete applications and better quality submissions result in less revisions and over-all circulations)
These varying factors make it difficult for staff to predict how long it will take to gain final approval, however during the pre-consultation process staff will attempt to give an idea of how long your specific application will take.
What is a Site Plan?
A site plan package includes architectural plans, and detailed engineering drawings of proposed layout and improvements on a property. A site plan shows a builidng footprint, building elevations, access routes, parking, grading drainage facilities, sanitary sewer lines, water lines, trails, lighting, landscaping and other such features.
What is Site Plan Approval?
Site Plan Approval is the statutory process for reviewing the building size, location, design, access, services, parking, loading, and landscaping of proposed developments. The Site Plan Control By-law outlines when site plan approval is required.