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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 - Consult with staff regarding your proposed plans.
- 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.
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 may be appropriate.
Application Requirements |
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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.
Committee of Adjustment Meetings are being held as hybrid meetings. Members of the public may attend either in person, or, electronically via Zoom. Information on accessing each meeting is made available on the applicable Notice of Public Hearing 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.
Application Requirements |
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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 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, to add property to an abutting property or for creation of an easement. 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 consent 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. Please contact the Planning Department for more information on the request form.
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Site Plan Agreement Applications
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, multi-residential and vacant waterfront residential, will be subject to site plan approval pursuant to By-law 23-119.
The application for Site Plan Approval or amendment to Site Plan Approval is to be submitted with the required fees.
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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An "unopened road allowance" as defined in the Municipal Act is a public highway that has not been opened and assumed for maintenance purposes by By-law of the Township. The Township has the authority to regulate the use of unopened road allowances and may consider granting permission for the use of an unopened road allowance to construct an access road to a property. Permission to use the original unopened road allowance must be in accordance with Policy 32- Access Road (Construct) on a Portion of an Original Allowance for Road (Application).
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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 policy. This policy direction is not for shore road allowances. Please refer to the next section for policies regarding the Shore Road Allowance. The Road Allowance Purchase Application is to be submitted with the required fee. 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. For additional information regarding the process refer to Policy 26. |
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. Refer to the fees and charges by-law. 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 immediately adjacent to your property. 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.
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