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Planning Applications
Please refer to the list below for specific planning applications.
How do I submit a Planning Application?
Before submitting any application, please complete the following four steps:
- Step 1 - Contact us to schedule a pre-consultation meeting.
- Step 2 - Fill out the required application form.
- Step 3 - Attach any other document/drawing/information that the application specifically requests.
- Step 4 - Prepare fee payment in accordance with Fee Schedule attached to the application.
If you are unsure of certain sections of the application, please leave that section blank, and we will assist you in completing the application form at the time of your application submission.
Most applications must be signed by the applicant, in the presence of a Commissioner. A Commissioner is available at the Administration Office.
Minor Variance Applications
Zoning by-laws regulate the use of land and buildings, location of structures, density, height of structures, parking, etc. They implement the Official Plan policies and ensure orderly development with limited environmental impacts.
However, it may not always be possible or appropriate to meet all of the applicable requirements of the zoning bylaw, for example, because of terrain constraints or pre-existing development. In such cases, a minor variance can be applied for.
Application Requirements |
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Under Section 45(1) of the Planning Act there are four (4) tests that a minor variance must meet:
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Fees |
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Please refer to the Fees & Charges Bylaw for application fees. |
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Submission Deadlines & Committee of Adjustment |
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Applications often require large amounts of preparation before being brought forward to a Committee of Adjustment Meeting. Please refer to the Minor Variance Meeting Schedule below for application deadlines.
The Committee of Adjustment meet on the last Monday of every month, unless otherwise noted. Due to the physical distancing requirements imposed as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Committee of Adjustment Meetings are being heard electronically by way of a virtual meeting. Information on accessing each meeting is made available on the applicable Notice of Minor Variance for each application being heard on a given meeting date. Minutes and Agendas for the Committee can be found on our Minden Hills Civic Web. |
Zoning By-law Amendment Applications
The Zoning By-law implements the policies and objectives detailed in the Official Plan. It outlines how a specific parcel of land may be used and regulates matters such as lot size, parking requirements, building height, landscaping requirements 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.
The Planning Act also allows a Zoning By-law to permit a use for a temporary period of time or to apply a holding (H) provision requiring certain criteria such as servicing be in place before the holding (H) provision may be removed and the land used for the underlying zoning.
Application Requirements |
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Applications to amend zoning bylaws, temporary use bylaws or to remove a holding symbol must be submitted with the required application fee. Application fees consists of a non-refundable administration fee and the balance is a deposit to cover the costs of processing the application (these costs include, but are not limited to, advertising fees, postage costs, photocopies and any outside planning consultant fees if required). |
Official Plan Amendment Applications
The Official Plan is an important policy document Council uses for making land use decisions and managing change in the Township. It sets out a vision for the community based on long-term goals and objectives. All public works, by-laws, including the Town's Comprehensive Zoning By-law, and land use approvals must conform to the Township's Official Plan to ensure that Council's vision is consistently implemented.
Amendments to the Official Plan are sometimes necessary when a development proposal does not comply with the Plan, but represents good planning. In these cases, the Official Plan can be altered through an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) process. The OPA process allows for amendments to the Plan to be evaluated and to be presented to the public before changes are approved by Council.
Severance Agreement Applications
An application for Severance Agreement is to be submitted with the application fee. This cost deposit includes a non-refundable administration fee and the balance is a deposit to cover the costs of processing the application (these costs include, but are not limited to, advertising fees, postage costs, photocopies and any outside planning consultant fees if required).
Severance Application and Pre-Consultation
The Township of Minden Hills is the lead commenting agency for applications to sever property where the severance is for the creation of a new lot or to add property to an abutting property. The County of Haliburton requires a pre-consultation report from the Township prior to submitting a formal application. A pre-consultation report reviews an application to determine if the application conforms to the Zoning By-law and Official Plan for the Township of Minden Hills and would identify any studies and other requirements that the Township may request as a condition of approval.
Application and Pre-Consultation Requests |
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The Pre-Consultation Request Form is to be submitted together with a copy of the County of Haliburton's Application for Consent Form and a non-refundable administration fee. Where a severance is for a Right-of-Way only, you may apply directly to the County, however the Township will still require an application review fee which would be requested subsequent to your submission to the County. |
Plan of Subdivision Applications
The Township of Minden Hills is the lead commenting agency with respect to Plan of Subdivision Applications. All information requests should be directed to the Planning Staff for the County of Haliburton.
Once a complete application is received by the County of Haliburton a copy will be forwarded to the Planning Department for the Township of Minden Hills.
Prior to receiving direction from Council a fee will be requested. This fee includes a non-refundable administration fee and a deposit to cover the costs of processing the application (these costs include, but are not limited to, advertising fees, postage costs, photocopies and any outside planning consultant fees if required).
Site Plan Agreement Applications
A site plan is a drawing, or set of drawing s, showing the physical layout of the property improvements such as building, driveway, parking area, pedestrian sidewalks, landscaping, fences, light fixtures, drains and municipal services.
The Site Plan Approval process promotes functional and attractive development, protection of important and sensitive natural features while minimizing adverse impacts on the surrounding land uses. In certain circumstances development within the Township, such as for commercial, institutional, industrial and some multi-residential and single family residential, will be subject to site plan approval pursuant to By-law 14-48.
The application for Site Plan Approval or amendment to Site Plan Approval is to be submitted with the required fee as stated above. This fee includes a non-refundable administration fee and a deposit to cover the costs of processing the application (these costs include, but are not limited to, advertising fees, postage costs, photocopies and any outside planning consultant fees if required).
Site Plan Approval is completed prior to the issuance of a building permit. It is an interactive process involving both the property owner and Township staff, and may include other local government agencies to match the property owner's requirements with both the unique characteristics of each property and municipal development standards.
Deeming By-law Applications
Adjoining lots on Registered Plans of Subdivision can be sold without Planning Act approval at any time, as independent parcels. A deeming by-law allows for other lands to be added to a lot on a Registered Plan so that the titles merge to form one indivisible parcel.
Road Allowance (RA) Applications
RA Access Applications |
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Anyone may apply to construct an access road on an original Road Allowance. Approval is required from the Township's Road Superintendent and the applicant will enter into an agreement to construct the access road pursuant to the Access Road (Construct) on a Portion of an Original Allowance for Road (Application) – Policy 32.
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RA Purchase Applications |
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You may apply to purchase the original allowance for road abutting your property. If the road allowance leads to water your application will be denied as per the Township of Minden Hills Road Allowances – Municipal (NOT Shoreline (Marine) Road Allowances) – Close and Convey Portions – Application – Policy 26. The Road Allowance Purchase Application is to be submitted with the required fee in the amount of $2,025.00. Included in this initial deposit amount are a $225.00 non-refundable preliminary consultation fee, and a $300.00 non-refundable administration fee. The remaining $1,500.00 is a deposit to cover the cost of process the application (these costs include, but are not limited to, appraisal of land to be purchased, advertising fees, postage costs, HST on the purchase price of land and photocopies). The purchase price for the land is obtained through an appraisal of the land to be purchased and is subject to HST. In addition to any municipal costs the applicant is also responsible for survey fees and legal fees. The Township of Minden Hills' Solicitor is David A. P. Shapiera. The applicant has the right to choose his or her own solicitor but it is made clear in the application that the applicant is responsible for the fees of both solicitors. As the survey is the most expensive cost associated with the purchase of the shore road allowance it is recommended that you contact several surveyors to obtain a cost estimate. |
Shore Road Allowance (SRA) Applications
SRA Occupation Application |
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If there is a publicly maintained road between your property and the Shore road allowance you may be eligible to construct a dock on the Township's shore road allowance subject to Original Shore Road Allowances – Use of (Application) – Policy 45. You must be immediately adjacent to the Shore Road Allowance or your application will be denied. In order to request this permission, you must submit an application for use of Original Shore Road Allowances to construct a new dock or repair an existing dock. There is a non-refundable application fee in the amount of $350.00 to be submitted with your application. If you live within the Village of Minden and would like to place a dock on the Gull River we recommend that you read the Information for Owners of Docks (July 24, 2017) as the construction of new docks is not permitted and the alteration and repair of existing docks is limited. |
SRA Purchase Application |
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You may apply to purchase the shore road allowance adjacent to your property. Though most applications are approved, Council may deny your application if there is a publicly maintained road between your property and the shore road allowance. The application process can be lengthy and takes a minimum of one year to complete. The Original Shoreline (Marine) Allowance for Road – Close and Convey Portions (Application) – Policy 19 governs the closing of Shore Road Allowance Applications. The applicant is responsible for survey fees and legal fees in addition to any municipal costs. The Township of Minden Hills solicitor, David A. P. Shapiera, will execute the land transfer. The applicant has the right to choose his or her own solicitor but it is made clear in the application that the applicant would be responsible for the fees of both solicitors. As the survey is the most expensive cost associated with the purchase of the shore road allowance it is recommended that you contact several surveyors to obtain a cost estimate. |