Planning and Development

Planning & Development Department

Official Plan - The purpose of the Official Plan is to guide the physical development of the Town of Deep River by articulating policies and land use designations that describe and promote the desired future form of the Town. The Official Plan is the Town's policy document. All planning activities should be consistent with Official Plan policies. In Deep River, the Official Plan attempts to create a planning framework "that will foster growth, development and diversification while ensuring that the unique character of the Town is maintained.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law - Planning staff administer the Town's Comprehensive Zoning By-law, 24-96 as amended. The Zoning By-law is the document that implements Official Plan policies. The Zoning By-law must be considered when undertaking virtually any new construction project and many renovation projects. Town staff will work with the proponents to help interpret the by-law and work through any issues that may result.

Proponents may also wish to consult the Zoning By-law when purchasing property or establishing a new business. Again, Town staff will be available to help interpret the by-law and deal with any resulting issues.

Site Plan Control - The Planning Act of Ontario grants municipalities the authority to review and approve site plans for certain types of development in accordance with established municipal requirements. Site Plan Control Review, an integral component of the municipal planning and development review process, focuses on the technical issues of site design rather than land use. In Deep River, commercial, industrial institutional and medium and high density housing projects are subject to site plan control. Planning staff administer the site plan control by-law are available for pre-consultation with applicants. Applications for site plan approval should be submitted to planning staff.

Minor Variance - The Committee of Adjustment is appointed by Council to deal with minor problems in meeting municipal zoning by-law provisions. Minor Variances provide flexibility so that developments which do not precisely meet the requirements of a Zoning By-law may still proceed. Obtaining a minor variance involves an application to the Committee of Adjustment by submission of an application and appropriate fee, followed by a public hearing, full consideration of the proposal, and a decision rendered. Once the 20 day appeal period has expired, the committee's decision is binding. A minor variance does not change the existing by-law, but rather provides relief from specific requirements of the by-law to suit special circumstances, for a site-specific property.

There are four key tests that the Committee considers when evaluating applications:

1. The variance should be minor
2. It should be desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure.
3. It should maintain the general intent of the Zoning By-law.
4. It should maintain the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan.

Consent - The Committee of Adjustment also deals with requests for consent. Consent, or severance, means the authorized separation of a piece of land to form two new adjoining properties, when a registered plan of subdivision is not considered necessary for the proper and orderly development of a municipality. In addition to the division of land, rights-of-way, easements and any change to your existing property boundaries also require land severance approval. The process to obtain a consent is very similar to the minor variance process. Once the committee's decision is final, there are usually conditions to fulfill, including requirements for road widening, re-zoning or surveying. When all the conditions have been met by the applicant, a certificate is issued by the authority, and the severance goes into effect.

Planning staff are available to review the Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law provisions which will affect applications for variance or consent to provide the necessary application forms.