Approval Process for Planning Applications
To attract new investment and smart growth, the City is honing a consistent yet flexible development approvals framework that is conducive to business, embraces the entrepreneurial spirit and is nimble in responding to emerging investment opportunities - all within the parameters of good land-use planning and safeguarding of the public interest.
Pre-consultation meetings have been implemented to streamline the approval process and are required for these planning applications as per Bylaw No. 2007-43:
- Official Plan Amendment;
- Zoning By-Law Amendment;
- Draft Plan of Subdivision / Condominium;
- Final Plan of Subdivision / Condominium;
- Site Plan Control;
- Consent; and,
- Minor Variances
PRE-CONSULTATION IDENTIFIES APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The mandatory Pre-consultation Meeting:
- identifies the necessary planning approvals required to allow the project to proceed,
- addresses any process or timing questions,
- identifies any potential technical issues and requirements that may impact the viability of the project, and
- confirms the necessary supporting studies and information that will be required with the submission of the application.
Development applications will not be accepted until a Pre-consultation Meeting has been held and all required information, as identified in the Meeting, accompanies the application.
Any comments made at the Pre-consultation Meeting are subject to further review and circulation of a complete application and will not imply or suggest any decision to either support or refuse the application.
SCHEDULING THE PRE-CONSULTATION
For Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-Law Amendment, Plans of Subdivision, Plans of Condominium and Site Plan Control applications, a regular Pre-consultation Meeting day is scheduled every two weeks. Each application receives a total of 30 minutes. The applicant has 10 minutes to present the proposal and City Staff and agencies will have 20 minutes to ask questions and provide some initial comments.
Pre-Consultation Meetings are chaired by the Manager of Development Approvals. The assigned Planner and representatives from various City departments and external agencies will also be in attendance, including: Engineering, Traffic, Utilities Kingston, Fire and Rescue, Culture and Recreation, and the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. Other departments or agencies may be invited to attend as needed, based on the nature of the proposed application.
MAKING THE APPOINTMENT
Pre-consultation Meetings are held bi-weekly. Please contact the Planning and Development Department at (613)546-4291 extension 3180 for meeting dates and submission deadlines.
For Consent and Minor Variance applications, the proponent must call to make an appointment for a Pre-consultation Meeting with the Ted Stratford, Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment or Tim Fisher, Planner.
PREPARING FOR THE PRE-CONSULTATION MEETING
You must:
- Submit a letter outlining the proposed application; ten (10) full size copies and one (1) reduced (maximum 11" x 17") set of the preliminary concept plan(s) and other relevant information; and, a pdf version of the plans. Submissions must be sent to Marnie Venditti, Manager of Development Approvals, Planning and Development Department.
- Ensure the appropriate consulting/development team members attend the meeting at the prescribed time to present the proposal.
The Proponent must bring to the Pre-consultation Meeting detailed sketches, drawings, surveys, etc. showing the existing property and proposed application.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
The Planning and Development Department will:
- Schedule the application on the next available agenda once all required information has been received.
- Send a letter to the proponent confirming the Pre-Consultation Meeting date and time.
- Distribute the submission to the appropriate technical staff and agencies.
- Provide the proponent with a completed Development Application Pre-Consultation Form based on the comments received at the Pre-Consultation Meeting. The information on the form will identify the planning approvals required, application fees and necessary plans and supporting studies that will be required for each approval.
The Planning and Development Department will review the proposal with the proponent and complete the pre-consultation form which provides information concerning conformity with the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw, any necessary variances and a list the of information (ie. plans, studies) required with the submission of the application.
For more information, please contact the Planning and Development Department at (613)546-4291 extension 3180.
