Members Present: Mayor – Milt McIver, Deputy Mayor – Rod Anderson, Councillor – Todd Dowd, Councillor – Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Councillor – Aman Sohrab (Arrived at 11:06 a.m.) (Left the meeting at 11:23 a.m.)
Staff Present: Chief Administrative Officer – Peggy Van Mierlo-West, Clerk – Cathy Addison, Committee/Licensing Coordinator – Lindsay Forbes, Chief Building Official – Wendy Elliott
Others Present: Bruce County Senior Development Planner – Jenn Burnett, Bruce County Planner – Megan Stansfield
Note: Members of Council and staff were present in the Municipal Office Council Chamber and the meeting was held via zoom, an electronic platform, for members of the public to view.
Call to Order and Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
Mayor McIver called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. and Council members were reminded to disclose any pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof that may arise during the meeting.
Approval of the Agenda
#18-01-2023
Moved by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the content of the agenda be approved as presented. Carried
Consideration of Agenda Items
1. Bruce County Planning Department
Re: Planning 101 Workshop
Bruce County Senior Development Planner, Jennifer Burnett, and Bruce County Planner, Megan Stansfield, appeared in person at the July 24, 2023, Special Council Meeting.
Senior Development Planner, Jennifer Burnett provided an overview of the following topics to members of Council during the Planning 101 Workshop:
· Planning in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
· Types of Planning Act Applications
· Decision-Making
· Hot Topics
· Planning Reports
· Archaeological Assessments
· Natural Heritage and Natural Hazards
· Committee of Adjustment
· Useful Resources
An overview of the public meeting process regarding Official Plan and Zoning Amendments and Minor Variances was presented to members of Council.
Senior Development Planner, Jenn Burnett, provided an overview of the prescribed timeline associated with Planning applications.
It was noted that delays in the processing of an application can be attributed to a lack of information, difficulty obtaining information or additional information being provided to the Planning Department at a Public Meeting.
It was further noted that Bruce County is attempting to streamline the review of applications by requesting the consultation for the application from stakeholders upfront prior to circulating the application. It was noted that these is now a pre-consult fee of $750.00 and is now more of a user pay system.
Councillor Sohrab left the meeting at 11:23 a.m.
It was noted that Council is responsible for providing an unbiased review of the applications and considering the public interest in making a decision.
Bruce County Planner, Megan Stansfield, provided an overview on the following processes which are evaluated once a planning application is submitted:
· Archaeological Assessments
· Natural Heritage and Natural Hazzard
It was noted that Bruce County is currently working on an Archaeological Management Plan.
Bruce County Planner, Megan Stansfield, provided an overview of the ability of planning applications to meet the 4 Tests of Minor Variance:
· Is it minor?
· Is it desirable?
· Does it meet the intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law?
· Does it meet the intent and purpose of the Official Plan?
It was noted that Council cannot overturn a decision made by the Committee of Adjustment, however, a judicial review process is followed.
Mayor McIver thanked Jenn Burnett and Megan Stansfield for their presentation.
#18-02-2023
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That Council brings Agenda Item No. 1 Bruce County Planning Department Re: Planning 101 Workshop forward. Carried
Other Business – Nil.
Reading of By-laws
By-law 2023-70
Being A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Special Council Meeting of The Corporation of The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Held Monday, July 24, 2023
#18-03-2023
Moved by Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, Seconded by Councillor Todd Dowd
That the listed by-law be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reading, and enacted. Carried
Closed Session – Nil.
Adjournment
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#18-04-2023
Moved by Councillor Todd Dowd, Seconded by Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden
That the meeting adjourns at 12:23 p.m. Carried
