Week 3 - Tools of Planning - Regulation

Question 1

THE PLANNING ACT includes

Answer 1

Planning Act prescribes:
- Provincial interest in planning
- Roles and responsibilities
- Tools
- E.g. official plan
- Processes
-E.g. public consultation

Question 2

The purpose of the planning act

Answer 2

• Promote sustainable economic development in
  a healthy natural environment,
  -Provincial interest
• A fair planning process
• Municipal councils are the decision making
  authority and are held accountable

Question 3

WHAT IS THE
PROVINCE’S
ROLE

Answer 3

Issue provincial policy statements
- Prepare provincial plans e.g. Greenbelt Plan
- Promote provincial interests
- Give advice to municipalities and the public
- Administer local planning controls and give
approval where required

Question 4

Most recent provincial intrest (dont know if this will be on exam)

Answer 4

Transit, Housing, Health & Long term care, other infrastructure. Bill 23

Question 5

What is the role of the municipalities

Answer 5

• Make local planning decisions
  -Prepare planning documents
  e.g. official plan and zoning by-laws
  -Ensure planning decisions and planning documents are consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement

Question 6

Characteristic of the official plan pt 1, focus on? Direct l, design

Answer 6

Characteristics include
- Focus on physical
environment/resources
- Directs land use (and infrastructure)
- Influences design
- Linked to social and economic goals
- Long-range view (20-year horizon)

Question 7

Charateristics of the official plan pt 2

Answer 7

Characteristics
- Comprehensive
- Based on analyses and consultation
- Is a policy, not a law
- No implementation power on its
own – implemented through
application
- Reviewed every five years

Question 8

the official plan process

Answer 8

Studies
- Consultation
-Draft document
- Public meeting(s)
- Revision(s)
- Municipal adoption
- Approval authority –
approve/modify/defer
- Appeals

Question 9

Summary of the plan

Answer 9

The planning act - goes into provincial policy statement - which leads to the official plan. Policy statement goes hand and hand with the official plan

Question 10

What are zoning by-laws

Answer 10

By-laws passed by local municipalities which regulate
land use and establish provisions for the construction
of buildings and use of land
- minumum and maximum standards to what you can do on a property.

Question 11

Zoning by-laws include things such as

Answer 11

Maps, Individual , Individual properties are placed in different categorized (zones)
Uses of land cannot be established except in
conformity with the ZBL if theres open pacel of land, you need to meet all the rules (pool) (park)

Question 12

Zoning by laws also includes

Answer 12

States exactly what uses are permitted and prohibited
Establishes minimum standards (e.g. lot size, setbacks, parking) and maximum standards (e.g. lot coverage, density, height)

Question 13

zoning by laws can be

Answer 13

-Enforceable
-Amendments can occur – public input and right to
appeal
-Variances can occur through the Committee of
Adjustment

Question 14

Minor variences

Answer 14

Zoning provisions are precise and
firm with no leeway -

Minor variance process deals with
the need to have some flexibility -

Usually used to allow small changes
to the “numbers” in the by-law

EX shed can be adjusted by half a meter, fence, pool etc.

Question 15

Minor varience tests & problems

Answer 15

Section 45 – four tests:
- Minor
- Appropriate
- Maintain intent of the by-law
- Maintain intent of the official plan

Problems

No definition of “minor”
Notice – public hearing – decision – appeal
Heard and decided by Committee of Adjustment (appointed citizens)