OVERVIEW
Amendments to the Zoning By-Law are sometimes required to enable a particular development that is otherwise not permitted on a given property, or to update or modify a Zoning By-Law regulation(s).
Map amendments – commonly referred to as re-zonings – are required in order to change the zoning of a particular property. An example of this would be changing the zoning of a property from residential to commercial to allow a business to be developed on said property.
Proposed re-zonings must demonstrate consistency with the planning policies and land use designations outlined in the Mid-West Planning District (MWPD) Development Plan. If a conflict exists with the planning policies and land use designations of the MWPD Development Plan, map and/or text amendments to the Development Plan may also be required.
PROCESS
Council may on its own initiative or at the request of an applicant amend a zoning by-law (if Council is in agreement). An application to amend a municipal zoning by-law with all the required information and fees shall be made to the Mid-West Planning District.
The municipal Council must adopt a Zoning By-Law amendment by-law for an amendment (map or text) to be approved and in effect. The amendment process requires a public hearing and three readings of the amending by-law.
If objections to a Zoning By-Law amendment by-law are made during the application process, an appeal hearing before the MWPD Board may be required.
Due to the statutory steps required, a Zoning By-Law amendment can take four or more months to complete from the date of application.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Prior to submitting a Zoning By-Law amendment application to the MWPD, it is strongly recommended that you contact us first to discuss your proposal. To initiate a Zoning By-Law amendment application, the following application requirements must be submitted to the MWPD:
- Completed Planning application form
- Detailed letter of intent
- Detailed site plan (if applicable)
- Status of Title(s) for all land subject to the application. The Status of Title(s) cannot be more than 30 days old
- Fees in accordance with the MWPD’s Fee Structure By-Law
Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.