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 |
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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 |
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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:
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Zoning By-law |
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The Zoning By-law manages the land use within City by indicating:
These standards include lot size and dimensions, setbacks from property lines, building location, building type, and parking requirements. |
Amending the Offical Plan & Zoning By-law |
Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy |
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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.
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The Downtown River Precinct Conceptual & Schematic Design |
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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:
As explained with the following reports:
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Sidewalk and Street Furniture Guidelines |
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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. |
The Residential Tree Preservation Policy |
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The Residential Tree Preservation Policy provides guidelines for planting residential trees. The goals of the policy are:
Feel free to reference the Residential Tree Preservation Policy. |
Community Improvement Plan |
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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:
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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. |
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