The objective of municipal planning is to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the municipality. This allows the City to set goals and objectives to ensure that growth of the City meets the long term needs of the community.
General Questions |
What does the land use designation of a property mean?A land use designation describes the classification applied to a property or area identified on maps that make up part of the City’s Official Plan. For each land use designation, the Plan sets out a specific set of policies that apply to any future zoning or development proposals. The first policy typically identifies the objective of the designation. Subsequent policies, taken together, provide a framework for making land-use decisions within the designation. A land-use designation in an official plan is implemented through the provisions of a Zoning By-law that places specific zones on land. Official Plans are adopted at different times than zoning by-laws, which means that the underlying land use designation does not always line up with the zone on a property. That being said, any changes to the Zoning By-law must conform to the policies in the Official Plan. What is zoning?Zoning is a method of planning in which the land is divided into areas called zones, each of which has a set of provisions that differ from other zones. It help to ensure that a community is laid out in the most convenient and efficient manner and that areas reserved for related and complimentary uses are located in close proximity. Zone provisions identify specific permitted uses for a property, and regulate the size and location of buildings and structures. Zoning By-laws also contain general provisions that apply to all zones, as well as definitions and administrative provisions to provide clarity and ensure consistent application. How do I find out my properties zoning?To find the zoning of your property please enter your address into the Belleville Zoning Map and it will provide you with the zone as well as the corresponding bylaw number in brackets. To find the zoning details, such as permitted uses, setbacks and zone provisions please find the corresponding By-law on our zoning page. What does the term “permitted use” mean?Permitted use means allowed activities, which can be described generally or in more specific terms. What does “non-conforming use” mean?Means that the use of land or the size or location of a structure does not meet current zoning and building regulations. What does “legal non-conforming use” mean?A legal non-conforming use is a use of land or structure that the owner can prove was legally established according to the applicable zoning and building by-laws of the time, but which does not meet current zoning and building regulations. What is a “setback”?A setback is the minimum distance which a building or other structure must be set back from a property line abutting a street or road, a river or other stream, a shore or flood plain, or any other property line. What is a “zone provision”?Zone provisions are specific regulations, such as setbacks, that apply to specific uses permitted in each zone. |
What types of planning applications are there? |
What is an Official Plan amendment?An Official Plan amendment is a formal document that changes an Official Plan. If you wish to use a property in a way that is different from how it is outlined in an Official Plan an Official Plan amendment is required. What is a Zoning By-law amendment?If you want to use or develop your property in a way that is not allowed by the Zoning By-law, you may apply for a zoning change, also known as a zoning bylaw amendment or a rezoning. Council can consider a change only if the new use is allowed by the official plan. What is a minor variance?A minor variance is used to request specific relief from the provisions of the Zoning By-law for a permitted use, where it can be shown that the request:
What is a Consent (Severance)?You can apply for a consent if you wish to:
Consent is not needed if the land is already divided by way of a natural severance, such as a railway or public road. What is Site Plan Approval?Site Plan Approval is required for most development, including construction, additions or alterations to buildings and structures (other than one and two unit dwellings). It is also required to lay out commercial parking lots or certain trailer sites. Site plans establish both design and technical aspects of development (for example stormwater, servicing, traffic, landscaping) in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and Site Plan Manual. A site plan agreement or undertaking is then prepared and entered into between the Owner, the City, and any Mortgagees on the property, setting out any additional fees and securities necessary to ensure that the project proceeds as approved. What is a Plan of Subdivision and Plan of Condominium?The subdivision process is used to divide land, generally where a new municipal road is proposed, or the proposal would create more than five separate development parcels. Condominium proposals are reviewed and processed in the same manner as subdivisions under Section 51 of the Planning Act. |
What governs planning decisions? |
What planning guidelines need to be followed when proposing to change the use of land to something that is not permitted under the current zoning?Planning rules need to be followed in the sequential order of:
What is the Planning Act?The Planning Act is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. It describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them. The purpose of the Act is to:
What is the Provincial Policy Statement?The Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 applies province-wide. Its policies set out the government's land use vision for how we settle our landscape, create our built environment, and manage our land and resources over the long term to achieve livable and resilient communities. Planning decisions in Ontario must be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement. What is an Official Plan?The Official Plan is our City's key land use document. It describes what kind of community we want to become in the future. It sets goals, objectives, and policies which guide our land use planning decisions. Everything the City does related to land use needs to conform to the Plan, unless it is already permitted by the Zoning By-law. What is a Zoning By-law?The Zoning By-law regulates the present and future land use in the City. It is a tool used to implement the Official Plan's vision for the City on a day-to-day basis. The Zoning By-law divides the City into land use zones. Each zone has a list of permitted land uses and a set of regulations that may apply to all of the uses, or only certain uses within a zone. Zoning By-laws also contain general provisions that apply to all zones, as well as definitions and administrative provisions to provide clarity and ensure consistent application. |
What is the City of Belleville application process? |
Is a pre-consultation required?Pre-consultation with planning staff is required prior to submitting any planning application. What happens once I submit my application?Your application will be reviewed by City Staff to ensure that the application is complete and notice of the application will be sent to those prescribed in the Planning Act or agencies identified for circulation by the City. A notice sign will be provided to you for posting on the subject lands and the proposal details will be sent to internal city departments and external agencies for feedback. When is an application considered complete?An application is considered complete when the application itself has been completed, all documentation required as determined in the pre-consultation has been provided, and payment has been made. What is a public meeting?Planning applications are required to go through a public meeting according to the Planning Act. The public meeting gives the applicant a chance to describe the proposal and answer any questions that the public or committee may have in order to make an informed decision. Can I amend/revise my application once submitted?Typically an application can be amended during the analysis period when staff are receiving agency and public comments. Where significant changes are proposed it may be necessary for the City to provide a new public notice and circulation. How does the approval process work?Once staff has received all comments from agencies and the public a recommendation report is prepared for the committee. The committee reviews the recommendation and decides whether to approve or deny the recommendation. For applications involving Official Plan amendments, Zoning By-law amendments and Plans of Subdivision or Condominium, the recommendation report goes to the Planning Advisory Committee for a recommendation, and then on to Council for final approval. For applications involving Minor Variance and Consent Applications the recommendation goes to the Committee of Adjustment, who make the final decision. Planning decisions of Council and the Committee of Adjustment may be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal Tribunal (OLT), subject to the provisions of the Planning Act. What is the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)?The Planning Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to Council on the following planning matters:
What is the Committee of Adjustment (COA)?COA consider applications for Consent, Minor Variance, and appeals of a property standards order (where they have the authority to confirm, modify or quash an order and/or extend the time for complying with the order). The Committee has been delegated the powers of Council in considering and approving requests for Consent and Minor Variance. Is the process complete once an application is approved or denied?No. Once an application is approved or denied a Notice of Decision is sent out to those prescribed in the Planning Act and a 20-day appeal period begins. Who can appeal a decision?Anyone who has made a verbal or written submission prior to the passing of the By-law/decision, the applicant or the agent are all eligible to appeal a decision. What happens if a decision is appealed?If an appeal is made within the 20-day appeal period, the appeal is forwarded to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for processing. What happens when the appeal period is done and there are no appeals?If no appeals are filed within 20 days of the notice of decision, then the By-law or decision will take effect immediately. How long does the complete application process take (including appeal period)?The Planning Act provides sets out timelines for the City to process and make decisions on complete planning applications. These timelines are as follows:
If a decision takes longer, an applicant may file an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Official Plan amendments, Zoning By-law amendments, and Plan of Subdivision applications usually take approximately 90 days to process, but can take longer if more research or information is required. Minor variance applications, and Consent applications usually take approximately 60 days to process, but can also take longer in some circumstances. With Consent applications, the Committee grants a provisional consent, and there are usually specific conditions that need to be fulfilled within two years of the approval in order to finalize an application. If conditions are not fulfilled within the two years then the Consent would ‘lapse’ and an applicant would need to start the process over again. |
How can members of the public be involved in the Planning Process? |
How do members of the public/community know what planning applications are active?Staff take several measures to make members of the public aware of a new planning application (rezoning, official plan amendment, plan of subdivision, consent and minor variance), and the upcoming public meeting scheduled for the application. When Staff have deemed a planning application complete, the application information is posted on the City’s Website on our Current Planning and Development Applications page. Additionally, a notice sign is posted on the subject property, and written notices are sent to nearby property owners. For the period of time that the application remains active, the application information will remain posted on our website and the notice sign will remain installed on the subject property. How do members of the public find out more information on an active file besides what is posted on the website?Members of the public can contact City Planning Staff with questions regarding the file. You can email planning@belleville.ca or call 613-967-3288, and your inquiry will be forwarded to the planner handling the file. How can the public comment on an application?For rezoning, Official Plan and plan of subdivision applications:There are a few different ways to comment on an application. The first way is to submit written comments by email to mtmacdonald@belleville.ca or by mail to Matt MacDonald, Secretary, Planning Advisory Committee at: Belleville City Hall, 169 Front Street, Belleville, K8N 2Y8. The second way to provide comments is to participate in the public meeting for the application where you can ask questions, voice concerns regarding the proposal, or provide verbal support for the proposal. All public comments received form part of the public record for the file. For consent and minor variance applications:There are a few different ways to comment on an application. The first way is to submit written comments by email to planning@belleville.ca or by mail to Approvals Section at: Belleville City Hall, 169 Front Street, Belleville, K8N 2Y8. The second way to provide comments is to participate in the public meeting for the application where you can ask questions, voice concerns regarding the proposal, or provide verbal support for the proposal. All public comments received form part of the public record for the file. How do members of the public stay informed on an active file?For rezoning, Official Plan and plan of subdivision applications:Any person who has has made comments on the file, or has requested to be notified of the decision form an “Interested Parties” list for that file. The interested parties will be notified when Staff have submitted a recommendation for the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) to consider. Recommendation reports are included as part of the public agenda for the PAC meeting, which is usually posted on our City website the Thursday prior to the meeting date. Additionally, the interested parties list will be notified of any Council decision made regarding the file. For consent and minor variance applications:Any person who has requested to be notified of the decision for the file will be notified when Staff have submitted a recommendation report for consideration. Recommendation reports are included as part of the public agenda for the Committee of Adjustment (COA) meeting, which is usually posted on our City website the Thursday prior to the meeting date. Additionally, the interested parties list will be notified of any decision made regarding the file. What merit do public comments have?Public comments play an important role in the planning process. All public comments are reviewed by City Staff and provided to the Applicant to consider and address. Public comments are also addressed by Staff in the recommendation report, and all written comments are included as an attachment to the report. If changes or revisions are required to the application based on public comments how does the public stay involved as the file changes?For rezoning, Official Plan and plan of subdivision applications:If a proposal is revised after the public consultation and if Staff are of the opinion that the changes are significant enough to merit a second public meeting, then new public notices are issued and a new notice sign is placed on the subject lands. All interested parties associated with the file will also be notified of the new public meeting date. In this case, the public have the opportunity to provide comment on the revised proposal. If the revisions to the are not significant enough to merit a new public meeting, any new or revised studies will be posted on our Current Planning and Development Applications page. For consent and minor variance applications:If a proposal is revised after the public consultation and if Staff are of the opinion that the changes are significant enough to merit a second public meeting, all those that requested to be notified of the decision will also be notified of the new public meeting date. In this case, the public have the opportunity to provide comment on the revised proposal. If the revisions to the are not significant enough to merit a new public meeting, any new or revised studies will be posted on our Current Planning and Development Applications page. How can a member of the public appeal a decision?Only members of the public that have submitted comments regarding the file are permitted to appeal a decision. More information on the appeal process can be found on the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) website https://olt.gov.on.ca/appeals-process/. |