Guide to the
Rezoning Process
How Does Zoning
Work?
The
Huntsville Zoning By-law established and regulates the use of
land by implementing the policies of the Town's Official Plan.
The Zoning By-law provides the Town with a way to co-ordinate
land uses, protect areas by preventing incompatible uses, and
establish appropriate standards for development.
The
Zoning By-law contains specific legal regulations - for example,
what uses are permitted, how high buildings can be built, the
maximum number of residential units allowed, setbacks from a watercourse
and the amount of parking required.
The
Zoning By-law divides the Town of Huntsville into "zones",
where different land uses are permitted. There are zones,
for example, which permit single detached dwellings, apartment
buildings, retail uses, industrial uses, parks and agricultural
activities.
What Is The Role
Of The Official Plan?
All
amendments to the Zoning By-law must conform with the Town of
Huntsville Official Plan and the Official Plan of the District
of Muskoka. If not, an application to amend one, or both
of these Official Plans will also be needed. The Planning
Department can advise if your proposal conforms with these documents.
Why Change The
Zoning By-law?
A
common reason for amending the Zoning By-law is that the existing
zone does not permit the full development potential of a property
or new lands are required for growth of the town. Where
minor changes to zoning regulations are proposed, applying to
the Committee of Adjustment for a Minor Variance may be more appropriate.
What If Other
Planning Approvals Are Also Needed?
If
a development proposal involves the creation of new lots, the
required applications for a consent or plan of subdivision may
be able to be processed concurrently with the application to amend
the Zoning By-law. If the proposed development required
Site Plan approval, these processes may be undertaken concurrently.
Who Approves
Amendment To The Zoning By-law?
The
decision to approve or reject an application is made by Town Council.
The public are notified and may provide input at a public meeting
prior to council's decision.
How Is The Zoning
By-law Amended?
| Step
1 |
Consult
with the Planning Department: Before you fill
out an application, it is helpful to discuss your plans and
ideas with the Planning Department to confirm whether a Zoning
By-law amendment and/or other planning approvals are necessary
and to determine the type of rezoning that maybe required.
Planning issues and any additional information that may be
required to support the zoning change may also be identified. |
| Step
2 |
Complete
the Application: To avoid delays, please ensure
that your application is complete, that all drawings are neat
and legible and that all dimensions are accurate. |
| Step
3 |
Circulation
of Application: After your application has
been received and deemed complete for circulation, and at
least 20 days prior to the public meeting, the Planning Department
will send notice of the application to those persons and public
bodies as required by legislation. Anyone wanting to
be notified of the decision must make a written request.
Your application will also be circulated to prescribed agencies
and to Town Departments for the purpose of obtaining written
comments and/or advice for consideration when making the decision
on the application. |
| Step
4 |
Public
Meeting: Town Council holds a public meeting
and anyone may appear before the Council to comment on the
application. Council may approve the proposed zoning
by-law amendment by passing an amending by-law. Council
may also amend the proposed zoning by-law amendment, refuse
it, or refer it back to staff for clarification or revision. |
| Step
5 |
Notice
of Decision: Within 15 days of the date on
which the Town Council makes a decision, one copy of it will
be mailed to you, to anyone who filed a written request for
notice of the decision, to everyone who provided written comments
or written submissions, and to anyone else prescribed by regulation. |
| Step
6 |
A
Final and Binding Decision: If no appeal is
made by the end of the 20 day appeal period, the decision
is final and binding. |
How Long Does
It Take?
The
process usually takes between six to eight weeks from submission
of the application to consideration by Town Council. If
no objections are submitted, the Zoning By-law amendment comes
into effect 20 days after notice of the decision has been given.
Complex rezoning applications and those that may involve an Official
Plan amendment can take longer.
To
avoid delays, remember to:
- Consult
with the Planning Department before submitting an application.
Staff is available to explain the process, indicate the feasibility
of the requested change and identify any problems which may
be encountered.
- Provide
sufficient and accurate information with all applications.
Can Anyone Appeal
The Decision?
Anyone
may appeal a decision by Town Council to amend the Zoning By-law
to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) within 20 days of the date
of the Notice of the Decision by personally delivering or sending
a Notice of Appeal to the Town Clerk. The appeal must set
out the reasons for objecting to the decision and must include
the OMB's prescribed appeal fee. The Planning Department
will then prepare an appeal package and forward it to the OMB.
The OMB will schedule a hearing and give written notice of the
time and date in advance of the hearing.
Change in Use
of a Building?
It
should be noted that a change in zoning or use of a building may
also require approvals from the Building and Fire Departments.
These departments should be contacted prior to any new
construction or use of a property.
Zoning By-law amendment application form
Need
more information or have any questions?
Contact:
Planning
Department, Town of Huntsville
37
Main Street East
Huntsville,
Ontario,
P1H 1A1
(705)
789-1751 ext. 2351
1-888-696-4255
Fax
(705) 789-6689
District
Municipality
of Muskoka
70
Pine Street
Bracebridge,
Ontario,
P1L 1N3
(705)
645-2231
1-800-461-4210
Fax
(705) 645-5319
Ministry
of Transportation
207
Main Street West
Huntsville,
Ontario,
P1H 1Z9
(705)
789-2391
Fax
(705) 789-3606
Fire
Department, Town of Huntsville
37
Main Street East
Huntsville,
Ontario,
P1H 1A1
(705)
789-5201
Fax:
(705) 787-0306
|