Planning and Heritage

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The Planning and Heritage Division is part of the Community Services Department. This division carries out two distinct yet related mandates:

Planning

Guides, regulates, and makes recommendations regarding community growth and development in a manner that protects the environment, enhances the quality of life, and promotes a complete community.

The Planning and Heritage Division establishes with Council and the community the policy that sets the direction for future growth and development applications in the City. In reviewing a variety of development applications, the Planning and Heritage Division ensures new development and redevelopment within the City reflects this vision and is consistent with the Provincial Policy.

Heritage

The City's heritage policies give high priority to implementing plans and initiatives to enhance and revitalize the City's downtown core and waterfront, and emphasizes preservation and celebration of our unique history through architectual conservation and historical interpretation.

What else does the Planning and Heritage Division do?

Leads the Development Team and coordinates, reviews, and provides recommendation on development applications
Processes all applications under the Ontario Planning Act as well as the Community Improvement Plan and Ontario Heritage Act
Conducts research and prepares policy to abide by legislation and provide clear and consistent services to the ratepayer
Administers the Committee of Adjustment
Implements the City's Heritage Work Plan
Shares and interprets land use planning information for other departments, agencies, and the public to assist them in making informed decisions
Reviews all building permits for compliance with the City's Zoning By-law

Planning policies

The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) provides direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development. The long term prosperity of Ontario depends on planning for strong, sustainable, and resilient communities.

The PPS applies to all decisions relating to a land use planning matter. The City's Official Plan is the most important vehicle for implementing the PPS. Comprehensive, integrated, and long term planning is best achieved through Official Plans.

Official Plan

The purpose of the plan is to provide policies, goals and objectives to guide the development, growth, and redevelopment of Owen Sound for the next 20 years. Our Official Plan was adopted in 2006 and was updated in 2012 as part of a 5-year review. It is Council's contract with the community about how development will be considered and evaluated and provides a guide for physical growth within the context of social, economic and environmental matters, and is detailed in the following documents:

Amending the Offical Plan

Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy

The Owen Sound Harbour & Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy is part of the Official Plan and provides guidance for improvement in the harbour and downtown area.

In 2000, the City undertook the creation of the master plan to integrate the redevelopment potential of the downtown and harbourfront with public infrastructure. The goal of the plan is to establish the right mix of activities, development, and infrastructure investment that will reinforce the strength of the downtown and harbour. The Owen Sound Harbour & Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy sets a positive direction to create a climate of redevelopment.

The complete plan is available for viewing at the Planning and Heritage Division.

The Downtown River Precinct Conceptual & Schematic Design

The Downtown River Precinct Plan is an implementation of the Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy and consists of the improvement plan for a concentrated area.

Using an urban design approach and building on the Harbour and Downtown Urban Design Master Plan, a concept was prepared for the Downtown River Precinct along the Sydenham River between 8th Street in the south and 10th Street in the north. This plan will:

Improve the character of the area;
Make the area inviting and inclusive;
Strengthen identity;
Embrace and highlight the river.

As explained with the following reports:

Sidewalk and Street Furniture Guidelines

The guidelines direct the appropriate design and furnishings for sidewalk patios and ensure the safety and accessibility of pedestrians.

The Sidewalk and Street Furniture Guidelines are a part of the Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy.

To apply for a sidewalk patio please submit an application for a Sidewalk Patio to the Planning and Heritage Division.

Zoning By-law

The Zoning By-law manages the land use within City by indicating:

how land can be used; and
the required standards for that use.

These standards include lot size and dimensions, setbacks from property lines, building location, building type, and parking requirements.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2010-078, as amended (current as of December 2016)

Applications to Amend the Zoning By-law

The Residential Tree Preservation Policy

The Residential Tree Preservation Policy provides guidelines for planting residential trees. The goals of the policy are:

To care for existing trees, woodlots and natural features;
To offer landscaping at the street line that does not conflict with neighboring properties;
To even out steep banks with ground cover and trees;
To select plants that are ecologically sound;
To select plants able to survive all seasons;
Use native plant species;
Avoid use of invasive plants.

Feel free to reference the Residential Tree Preservation Policy.

Community Improvement Plan

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a municipal planning tool for community improvements. Municipalities use the CIP to focus on local priorities and municipal initiatives, target areas in transition or in need of repair, rehabilitation and redevelopment, facilitate and encourage community change in a coordinated manner, and stimulate private sector investment through incentive-based programs.

The lands subject to the current CIP include the City's downtown, inner harbour area, and outer harbour area. The CIP encourages property owners and developers to pursue development projects with a range of incentives including:

Heritage Property Tax Relief Program

The City's newest heritage program provides tax refunds to eligible designated property owners. Eligible heritage property owners are able to apply each tax year. If you are the owner of a designated property and interested if your property applies contact the City's Planning and Heritage Division.

Façade and Structural Improvement Program

The Façade and Structural Improvement Program provides grants to eligible property owners for structural and exterior work undertaken to improve existing buildings.

Brownfield's Tax Incentive

The Brownfield's Tax Incentive is intended to promote environmental cleanup and rehabilitation of vacant or underused lands which may be contaminated from their former use. For help on applying to the Brownfield's Tax Incentive read our Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive & Vacant Lands Tax Assistance Program Application.

Vacant Land Tax Assistance Program

The Vacant Land Tax Assistance Program is intended to promote redevelopment of vacant land in the Downtown and Harbour Area. For help on applying to Vacant Land Tax Assistance Program read our Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive & Vacant Lands Tax Assistance Program Application.

Other programs included under the CIP are:

Affordable Housing Loan Program;
Environmental Study Grant;
Development Charges Refund Program;

All CIP programs are subject to City budget allocation. To find out how to apply or if you are eligible for these programs, contact the City's Planning and Heritage Division.

CIP Success Stories

Brownfield and Vacant Land

The Family Health Team located at 1050 1st Avenue West is a new 7400 squares metre office building on former Brownfield Land. Over a course of 10 years the tax rebate has come to $877,000.

Façade and Structural Improvement Program

The program started in 1999 offering $15,000 each year and since then has had 90 grants. We now offer $45,000 - $50,000 each year. There has been an increase in new businesses taking advantage of this program in the downtown with substantial building improvements to the such sites as the Milkmaid, Casero Kitchen Table, and Heartwood Home. There have also been grants for designated residential heritage properties such as: the Former US Consulate, Wilcox/Bowman Home, and Atkins Residence.

Heritage Property Tax Relief Program

Yearly since 2009 the City has distributed $15,000 in tax rebates to eligible heritage property owners to assist with maintenance costs. Eligible heritage property owners can receive a rebate equivalent of up to 20% of the City and school portion of their property taxes. Participation averages 18 properties.

Need further information?

The Citizen's Guides to Land-use Planning are Provincial government publications providing a summary of the key aspects of land-use planning. Explore the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website for information on planning, local government, and housing.