Planning

house plans

Planning services is responsible for the overall planning and policy direction for land development in the municipality. This includes the Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-law administration, as well as the review and process of development applications and recommendations for Council.

Planning Services is responsible for:

Preparing planning policy and looking after related documents such as the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law; and
Processing and evaluating development applications

Consent (Severance)

A property owner who wishes to:

Divide their land
Make a lot line adjustment
Create an easement or right of way

Consent applications are heard before the Committee of Adjustment and meetings are held monthly.

Minor Variance

A variance is a minor change to the zoning by-law for a specific property. When an item in the zoning by-law can't be met, a variance is needed. Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting a Minor Variance application.

Official Plan Amendment

The Official Plan sets out the general vision, goals and objectives for the municipality. It describes the policies on how land should be used. The Official Plan provides a framework for the municipal zoning by-law and ensures that future growth meets the needs of our community.

An Official Plan application is required to change the designation of lands for a specific use.

Site Plan Control

Site Plan Approval is required for properties within a certain zone. These include all commercial, industrial and institutional zoned properties. Site Plan approval must be granted prior to building permits being issued. Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting a Site Plan application.

Zoning By-law Amendment

Every property within Grey Highlands is subject to policies in the Zoning By-law. A zoning by-law contains provisions that regulate the use, size, height, density and location of buildings on properties. The by-law consists of maps to show what zone each property is in and the permitted uses for each zone. Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting a Zoning By-law Amendment application.

Lift of Hold

Lift of Hold application

Communiciation Tower Protocol

Industry Canada is the Federal Government Department responsible for regulating telecommunications in Canada. Under the Radiocommunication Act, Industry Canada acts as the approval authority for the establishment of radiocommunication and broadcasting apparatuses such as antenna systems (this may include masts, towers, and other supporting structures).

The purpose of this Municipal Protocol and Guideline is to clearly outline the land use consultation process to be followed by telecommunication carriers when submitting a proposal to modify or install a telecommunication tower within the Municipality of Grey Highlands for both non-municipal-owned properties and on municipal-owned properties.

Forest Management

Forest Management is handled by the County of Grey. Before you decide to cut down or alter trees you should Call before you Cut.

Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting an application for consideration by Council or the Committee of Adjustment.

A listing of current planning applications is available on our Document Center. The list is currently being updated.

Appealing a Planning Decision

The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) is an independent administrative tribunal responsible for hearing appeals on a variety of contentious municipal matters.

The Notice of Decision from the municipality will notify you on how you should file your appeal. Appeals are generally filed with the municipality, and the Clerk or delegated person is required to forward the appeal to LPAT.

Am I eligible to file an appeal?

You may file an appeal if you submitted oral or written comments to the municipality prior to a decision of council or at the statutory public hearing. In the case of a non-decision, prior participation is not required to be able to appeal.

Where can I find Information on the Appeal Tribunal?

Information on the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal can be found here:https://www.ontario.ca/document/citizens-guide-land-use-planning/local-planning-appeal-tribunal

Where can I get assistance in filing an appeal or obtaining information?

The LPAT Citizen Liaison may be able to assist if you have questions on the appeal process.

You can reach the Citizen Liaison by sending an email to LPAT.CLO@ontario.ca.

For general inquiries, you can call the Public Inquiry line at (416) 212-6349 or toll free (866) 448-2248.

The LPAT Appeal guide is also a helpful document and can be found here: https://olt.gov.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2019_08_28-LPAT-Guide-A.pdf

How much does it cost to file an appeal?

The filing fees will depend on the type of appeal being made. LPAT may reduce fees for eligible private citizens and community groups. Fees for appeals that are $1,100 can be reduced to $400 when requested by those who are eligible at the time of the filing.

Fees are payable by certified cheque or money order and must be in Canadian funds. Certified cheques and money orders should be made payable to the Minister of Finance NOT the Municipality.

The new fees as of July 2020 are listed below.

Appeal Type	Fee
Development Charges	$1,100.00
Land Compensation	$400.00
Minor Variance and Consents	$400.00
Municipal & Miscellaneous	$1,100.00
Municipal Finance	$1,100.00
Official Plans and Amendments	$1,100.00
Plan of Subdivision / Condominium	$1,100.00
Subdivision	$1,100.00
Zoning By-law	$1,100.00
Request for Review	$400.00

What Forms Do I Require?

LPAT Appellant/Applicant appeal forms are now available in a PDF fillable format. This means you can fill out the form on your computer and then print the completed form. As per LPAT requirements, forms cannot be submitted or filed electronically. They need to be printed out and mailed or delivered to the Municipality within the appeal period. The notice of decision will specify the final date for appeals.

The instructions on the first page of each form will tell you where to submit it. Full details on LPAT form can be found here:

https://olt.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/forms/appellant-applicant-forms/#_anchor12

Minor Variance

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Decision	No later than twenty (20) days after the making of the decision	A1 Appeal Form

Consent to Sever

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Decision	No later than twenty (20) days after the giving of the notice of decision	A1 Appeal Form
Conditions imposed
Changed conditions
Failure to make decision	Ninety (90) days after the day the application is received by the clerk of the municipality or the Minister

Zoning By-law or Amendment

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Passing of By-law	No later than twenty (20) days after the giving of the notice of passing	A1 Appeal Form
Failure to make decision on an application	Ninety (90) days after the day a complete application is received
Application refused	No later than twenty (20) days after the giving of notice of decision

Removal of Holding Symbol

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Removal of holding symbol failed to make decision on application	Ninety (90) days after an application is received by the municipal clerk	A2 Appeal Form
Removal of holding symbol application refused		A2 Appeal Form

Official Plan or Amendment

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Decision to adopt official plan or amendment	No later than twenty (20) days after the giving of the notice of adoption	A1 Appeal Form
Application refused	No later than twenty (20) days after the giving of notice of decision
Failure to make decision on application	One hundred and twenty (120) days after the day the plan is received by the approval authority

Interim Control By-law (ICB)

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)

Appeal Deadline/Timelines*

Appeal Form

Passing of an ICB

The Minister may, within sixty (60) days after the date of passing, file an appeal.

A person or public body no later than sixty (60) days after the date of passing an amendment to a previously passed by-law

A1 Appeal Form

Plan of subdivision

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Decision	No later than twenty (20) days after the giving of the notice	A1 Appeal Form
Conditions Imposed	Any time before the approval of the final plan of subdivision
Failure to make decision on application	One hundred and twenty (120) days after the day an application is received

Site Plan

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Failure to make decision on application	Thirty (30) days after the plans or drawings are submitted to the municipality	A1 Appeal Form
Requirements imposed	No deadline	A1 Appeal Form

Demolition Permit

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
Application refused	Thirty (30) days after the receipt of the application by the clerk of the municipality	A2 Appeal Form
Failure to make a decision on application
Relief from conditions refused by municipality	No later than twenty (20) days after the mailing of the notice of decision
Failure to make decision on relief from conditions	Thirty (30) days after the day an application is received by the clerk
Conditions imposed	No deadline

Development Charge By-law or Education Development Charge By-law

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Appeal Deadline/Timelines*	Appeal Form
By-law	No later than forty (40) days after the by-law is passed	A1 Appeal Form
Amendment to by-law	No later than forty (40) days after the by-law is passed
Decision on complaint	No later than forty (40) days after the day the decision is made
Failed to make decision on complaint	Sixty (60) days after the complaint is made
Object to front-ending agreement Object to amendment to a front-ending agreement	No later than forty (40) days after the day the agreement is made

Other matters (not listed above)

Appeal deadline and submission

The Notice of Decision should indicate the filing deadline; to verify where to submit the appeal forms, please consult the legislation applicable to your appeal.

Appeal Type (reason for appeal)	Submission*	Appeal Form
Decision or Application	Appeal via municipality	A1 Appeal Form
Decision or Application	Appeal directly to LPAT	A2 Appeal Form

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