Planning Application Process

Here are some of the applications you can find online or by visiting the office. Please note, we have attempted to summarize these applications for simplicity, but consultation with the Planning Department is still necessary to determine the feasibility of your specific request. 

• Consent Application: You use this application for lot creations, lot line adjustments, to establish an easement, establish a right-of-way, etc. 
  
  
• Minor Variance Application: Minor variances allow for flexibility within the current rules to permit building slightly outside of the defined standards, as long as you can provide an acceptable reason for doing so.  

• Plan of Subdivision and Condominium: Developers use this form when they are looking to create more than three lots. 
  
  
• Site Plan Approval/Site Plan Amendment/Development Agreement: This is an additional formal step in your construction process to identify what you're building and where you're building it. This application pertains to all new commercial development and expansion, industrial, greenhouses, and some residential builds. You can find exemptions to site plan agreements in the site plan control bylaw. 
  
  
• Official Plan Amendment: The Official Plan is a high-level view that guides planning and development rules for each land use designation in Kingsville. It also identifies protected areas, summarizes county and provincial policy, shows road classifications, and more. To apply for different land use, you will need to justify why you want to change the outlined goals or policies. Depending on the community impact of your request, this application is subject to public input and Council approval. 
  
  
• Zoning Amendment: Zoning amendments are requested when you want to change the use of your property. Zoning amendments are only possible if they remain aligned with the Town's Official Plan. 
  
  
• Part Lot Control Exemption: This application is for approved plans and subdivisions. Part Lot Control exemptions allow for the sub-division of land with a survey to register part interest in what is considered one piece of property. Sounds complicated, but this is necessary to allow semi-detached and townhouses to sell as two separate units, despite existing on a single lot.  
  
  
• Sidewalk Café Application: Businesses requesting the use of the sidewalk for their patio can use this application to determine if the municipality can safely detour foot traffic without blocking important infrastructure, encroaching on accessible parking spaces, or impeding accessibility.
  
  
• Communication and Broadcasting Tower Policy: Cell phone companies use this application to ensure their planned tower location undergoes a public consultation process according to the Town's Telecommunications Policy. Once the process is complete, the Town issues a 'statement of concurrence' to acknowledge they have taken that step. Please note that Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada is the only authority capable of approving the tower location. 
  
  
• Community Improvement Incentive Application Form: This is a financial incentive program meant to encourage private sector investment in downtown Cottam. Applications must align with the Downtown Cottam Community Improvement Plan and the applicant must be located in the area identified on the Cottam CIP map. 

Here is a general overview of what you'll need to do to move your application forward.

Pre-consultation:

• Discussion of proposal
• Review of municipal requirements
• Review of required background information (traffic, environmental, archaeological etc.)
• Review of applicable provincial, county, and town policies
• Outline applicable fees

Completing application:

• Please answer all of the questions within the application.
• Please provide all required background information, outlined during pre-consultation, including (if applicable):
  • draft survey sketch (prepared by an Ontario Land Surveyor)
  • site plan drawings
  • studies (traffic, servicing, environmental assessment, etc.)

Submission of the application:

• Please submit one original application(s) including any items noted above
• Submit any necessary application fees payable to the Town of Kingsville
• Each application must be signed in front of a Commissioner. If signed by a Corporation, it must have the Corporate Seal affixed. If signed by an agent, a written authorization from the owner must be attached.
  
  

Applications must be completed in full and in the proper format to be accepted. Your application can be submitted online for review purposes, but a a signed and commissioned hard copy must also be submitted to the Planning Department. 

Planning applications are considered at one (or more) of the following public meetings:

• Committee of Adjustment: Reviews land severances and minor variances to residential and commercial property under the Planning Act
• Planning Advisory Committee (PAC): Allows residents to discuss planning matters such as subdivisions, site plans, zoning amendments and by-laws under the Planning Act. 
• Kingsville Town Council: Residents/Developers may speak to particular Planning items as delegates before Council makes their decision. 

Depending on the complexity of your application, your complete application may need to be ready 8-10 weeks in advance of the meeting where it is being considered. You can find upcoming meeting dates on our Council and Committee Meetings calendar. Our Planning Department will also help you determine the submission deadlines required to keep your application on track. 

People don't always agree on how their communities should develop or change. Disputes often arise over land use planning issues, such as where industry should be located, where roads and transit should be built, or how to protect our forests and farmlands.

When people are unable to resolve their differences on community planning issues, or have disputes with their municipal council that can't be settled, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) provides a forum to resolve those disputes. Here are some resources if you are considering an appeal.

• Appeal Guide for the OLT
• Appeal Forms
• Appeal Form Instructions