Land use planning affects almost every aspect of life. It helps determine where in our community homes and industries should be built, where parks and schools should be located, and where roads, sewers, and other essential services should be provided.
Land use planning means managing our land and resources. It balances the interests of the individual property owners with the wider interests and objectives of the whole community. Good planning leads to orderly growth and the efficient provision of services. It affects all of us and helps us to have the kind of community we want.
Land use planning involves:
- Consents (severances)
- Minor variances
- Official Plan and amendments
- Plans of subdivision and condominium
- Site plan control
- Zoning
Each of these procedures has its own process. During the early consultation period, you should meet with planning department staff or the approval authority to discuss your application and to clarify what information is required for a complete application. This will ensure that the approval authority has all the information needed to make an appropriate decision without incurring unnecessary delays.
The plan review process benefits individuals involved in land use planning by:
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Saving time by reducing duplication between government agencies or ministries
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Streamlining the process by having clearly-defined roles and lines of communication
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Allowing for local decision making as an increasing number of municipalities or planning boards take on the responsibility of making decisions on planning applications
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Providing clarity through a coordinated provincial position on planning applications
If you would like to fully understand the process please contact the Planning Technician to receive the Guideline for Reviewing Development Proposals.