Planning - Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield

Planning Department

The Planning Department is responsible for the development of the land use planning documents that guide growth and development within the Township. The Department is also responsible for the provision of information on the permitted uses for your property and the processing of planning applications submitted to the Township or development of properties within the Township.

Feel free to contact the Planning Department if you have any questions with respect to the zoning on your property and the permitted uses thereon, or if you need assistance with an application for an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Consent to Severe and/or Minor Variance Application.

For additional information click on the following links:

The Township Official Plan

An Official Plan sets policies for guiding proper land use and development in the community. The Official Plan outlines where residential, industrial and commercial areas are contemplated. Council undertakes the preparation of the Official Plan with input from the public, ministries and other agencies. When preparing the Official Plan, Council shall be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and the Peterborough County Official Plan. Official Plan Amendment No. 3 to the County of Peterborough Official Plan received Ministerial consent on October 22, 2008. With the approval of OPA No. 3, the County Official Plan now functions as the lower tier Official Plan for the Township. To view the Official Plan and corresponding schedules, click on the appropriate links below:

Official Plan Amendments

If you want to use your property or develop it in a way that does not conform to the Official Plan, then an Official Plan Amendment may be necessary. As the County of Peterboorugh functions as the lower tier Official Plan for the Township, an application for an Official Plan Amendment is submitted to the County of Peterborough.

For further information regarding the procedures for an Official Plan Amendment and a copy of an application, please refer to the County of Peterborough website.

The Township Comprehensive Zoning By-law

A Zoning By-law is a legal document that regulates the use of land within the Township. The By-law determines among other things:

What each parcel of land can be used for.
Where and what types of buildings or structures may be located on the land.
The requirements of lot sizes, parking lots, building heights and setbacks.

The Zoning By-law must conform to the Official Plan of the Township. A copy is available for viewing in the documents below and at the Municipal Office.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2009-021, as amended

Zoning By-law Amendments

The Official Plan outlines in a broad manner the land use and development guidelines within Ottawa. A Zoning By-law, on the other hand, outlines how a specific parcel of land may be used. Zoning By-laws also regulate lot size, parking requirements, building height and other site-specific factors.

If an applicant wishes to develop a property in a manner that deviates from the current zoning provisions, they must apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment; also referred to as a rezoning. For example, a change of use from residential to commercial would require a Zoning By-law Amendment. Township Council must approve any amendment to the Zoning By-law, which is subject to an appeal process.

Sometimes a property owner only wants to make a minor deviation to the Zoning By-law provision such as a building setback or height restriction requirements. Owners who want to have minor changes to the use of their property that differ only slightly from Zoning By-law provisions can instead apply to the Committee of Adjustment for what is known as a minor variance. For example, a property owner planning an addition on to their house determines that with the addition there will only be a 6.5 meter rear yard. The Zoning By-law requires a rear yard depth of 7.5 meters. This is a minor deviation, and the owner could apply to the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance that if approved would relax the rear yard requirement under the Zoning By-law and allow for the addition to proceed.

How to apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment?

Before making an application, you should discuss your proposal with staff. Application forms are available on-line or at the Township Office. The application should be submitted to the Bulding & Planning Department; together with the required fee and any other information that may be required to support the application (usually determined through pre-consultion with Tomwnship Staff).

What Happens Next?

The application will be processed by staff who will circulate it to the required public bodies for comments, as well as to all property owners within 120 metres of the subject site. A sign will be installed on the property briefly describing the proposal.

Once all comments have been received, the Township will hold a Public Meeting as per the requirements of the Ontario Planning Act. The Township Planner will prepare a report to Township Council with a recommendation to approve or refuse the rezoning application. You are encouraged to attend the Public Meeting to present your view.

If Council approves the proposed amendment, it will pass a by-law which will be circulated to give interested parties the chance to appeal. A 20-day appeal period is provided for, once notice of Adoption of the By-law has been given. If no appeals are received by the end of the appeal period, the amendment is in full force and effect.

Notices issued under the Ontario Planning Act

vNotice of a Complete Application under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
The Township is in receipt of a 'Complete Application' for certain lands located in Part of Lot 1, Concession 4 of the Smith Ward (municipally known as 6 Lindsay Road) more »»

vNotice of a Complete Application under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
The Township is in receipt of a 'Complete Application' for certain lands located in Part of Lot 12, Concession ECR of the Smith Ward (municipally known as 862, 866 and 868 Ward Street) more »»

vNotice of a Public Meeting under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public meeting will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment for certain lands described as Lots 36 and 37, Plan 19 (109 Clementi Street) in the Lakefield Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Meeting under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public meeting will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, as it relates to lands situated in Part Lot 12, Concession 7 in the Smith Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Meeting under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public meeting will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, as it relates to lands situated Part Lots 41 & 42, Concession 14 (4360 Highway No. 28) in the Smith Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands situated in Part Lot 48, Concession 15 in the Smith Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands known as 565 Corkery Road in the Ennismore Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands known as 2836 Fire Route 47 in the Smith Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands known as 3020 Greenwood Lane in the Smith Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands known as 419 Gifford Drive in the Ennismore Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands known as 1738 Poplar Point Road in the Smith Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands known as 485 Ennis Road in the Ennismore Ward more »»

vNotice of a Public Hearing under Section 45 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended
A public hearing will be held on January 31, 2012 in order to solicit input from the public in regards to minor variance application as it relates to lands known as 761 Edmison Road in the Smith Ward more »»