Site plan control is a form of development control provided to municipalities by Ontario’s Planning Act. No one can undertake any development which is subject to site plan control unless the City has reviewed and approved certain plans. Once the plans are approved, a site plan agreement is generally executed. This agreement contractually binds the owner to develop and maintain a site in accordance with the approved plans and the terms of the agreement. Building permits are not generally issued until site plan control requirements are addressed.
The goals of Site Plan Control is to improve the image and appearance of the City through better individual developments by applying consistent standards and guidelines; to ensure that off-street parking and loading facilities are properly located, constructed and maintained during all seasons; to ensure the safety and convenience of automobile and pedestrian traffic; and to protect environmental areas (e.g. wetlands, hilltops, wildlife habitats) through the appropriate location of buildings, roads and parking spaces.
When is a Site Plan Control Application Required
Site plan control is a planning tool used to ensure that the development principles as set out in the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law are properly addressed at the site planning stage. Site Plan Control applies to the following developments as set out in By-law No. 2021-8590, as amended:
- A Site Plan Control Agreement will be required for a development on land designated as Neighbourhood Area or Employment Area in the City of Timmins Official Plan, including but not limited to the following classes of development:
- Any residential development containing six (6) or more residential dwelling units;
- Industrial development, redevelopment, enlargements, expansions or alterations greater than 550 square metres of gross floor area or situated on a parcel of land with a total lot area equal to, or greater than, 0.25 hectares of land;
- Commercial development, redevelopment, enlargements, expansions or alterations greater than 550 square metres of gross floor area or situated on a parcel of land with a total lot area equal to, or greater than, 0.25 hectares of land;
- Institutional development, redevelopment, enlargements, expansions or alterations greater than 550 square metres of gross floor area or situated on a parcel of land with a total lot area equal to, or greater than, 0.25 hectares of land; or
- Mix-use development, redevelopment, enlargements, expansions or alterations greater than 550 square metres of gross floor area or situated on a parcel of land with a total lot area equal to, or greater than, 0.25 hectares of land;
- A Site Plan Control Agreement will be required for redevelopment, enlargements, expansions or alterations on land designated as Resource Development Area in the City of Timmins Official Plan where an executed and registered Site Plan Control agreement is in place, on the subject lands.
- A Site Plan Control Agreement will be required for all development on land designated as Goldfield Area in the City of Timmins Official Plan.
- A Site Plan Control Agreement will be required for all development on land deemed to be brownfields and contaminated.
- A Site Plan Control Agreement will be required for any proposed land use development that does not meet the Ministry of Environment’s ‘Land Use Compatibility Guidelines’ recommended setback requirements, such as but not limited to, ‘Guideline D-6: Compatibility Between Industrial Facilities and Sensitive Land Uses’.
- A Site Plan Control Agreement will be required for any proposed land use development, including expansions to existing uses that are located within one of the Intake Protection Zones and designated as a Significant Threat to the City’s drinking water source, according to the Mattagami Region Assessment Report as prepared under the Clean Water Act. The development shall also be subject to all applicable policies set out in the Mattagami Region Source Protection Plan. This shall include, but not limited to, management plans, reports and studies.
- A Site Plan Control Agreement may be required for certain types and locations of Home Based Businesses as per the City of Timmins Official Plan.
Elements of Site Plan Control Agreement
The owner of any land designated under By-law No. 2021-8590 shall be required, as a condition of any development, to enter into one or more agreements to ensure that the development proceeds with the approved plan or drawings as Council has determined. The agreement shall include all applicable elements as set out in the Planning Act, including any amendments or refinements to the Planning Act. Applicable elements shall include but not limited to the following:
- Plans showing the location of all buildings and structures to be erected and showing the location of all facilities and works to be provided in conjunction therewith and of all facilities and works required under subsection 41 (7) (a) of the Planning Act, including but not limited to facilities designed to have regard for accessibility for persons with disabilities.
- Drawings showing plan, elevation and cross-section views for each building to be erected, except a building to be used for residential purposes containing less than twenty-five dwelling units, which drawings are sufficient to display:
- The massing and conceptual design of the proposed building;
- The relationship of the proposed building to adjacent buildings, streets, and exterior areas to which members of the public have access;
- The provision of interior walkways, stairs, elevators and escalators to which members of the public have access from streets, open spaces and interior walkways in adjacent buildings;
- Matters relating to exterior design, including without limitation the character, scale, appearance and design features of buildings, and their sustainable design, but only to the extent that it is a matter of exterior design, if an Official Plan and a by-law both contain provisions relating to such matters are in effect in the municipality;
- The sustainable design elements on any adjoining highway under a municipality’s jurisdiction, including without limitation trees, shrubs, hedges, plantings or other ground cover, permeable paving materials, street furniture, curb ramps, waste and recycling containers and bicycle parking facilities, if an Official Plan and a by-law are in effect in the municipality;
- Facilities designed to have regard for accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Overview of Site Plan Control Process
Preconsultation
Prior to submitting an application, the applicant is required to attend a formal preconsultation meeting with the Planning Division and other City staff to discuss the requirements of the site plan control process and to provide a preliminary review of a proposed site plan control application.
Receipt of Complete Application
The Planning Division will review the application upon receipt to ensure that it is fully complete. The omission of required information in the application form may delay the processing of the application.
Process Application
Once completeness of the application has been confirmed, a file number is assigned to the application for reference purposes. The site plan application and the site plan including schedules are circulated to various City Divisions/Departments. Staff reviews the site plan and either accepts it without modifications or requests modifications. Where modifications are required, the Planning Division reviews the deficiencies with the applicant. A revised site plan application incorporating staff’s modifications are required.
Site Plan Control Agreement
The Site Plan Control Agreement between the owner/developer and the City is prepared. Typically, the Site Plan Control Agreement covers the conditions of development detailed in the site plan (landscaping, lot grading, entrances, servicing, buffering and fencing, garbage and snow removal, lighting, parking).
The Site Plan Control Agreement is forwarded to the owner/developer for review/signature. If the Agreement is acceptable to the owner/developer, the Agreement is signed by the owner/developer and is returned to the Planning Division. If the owner/developer is not satisfied with a condition or conditions of the Site Plan Control Agreement, a subsequent meeting with the Planning Division is arranged.
Council Decision
City Council passes a By-law approving the Site Plan Control Agreement between the owner/applicant and the City, unless approval has been delegated to the Director of Community Services and Development or the Chief Administrative Officer in the Director’s absence.
Registration of Agreement
The Clerk’s Department registers the Site Plan Control Agreement on title.
Application
Fees: Please see Appendix ‘E’ of By-law 2016-7778
Additional Information
The Planning Division is responsible for dealing with Site Plan Control applications. If you have any questions regarding the Site Plan Control Agreement process, please contact:
Planning Division
220 Algonquin Boulevard East
Timmins, Ontario P4N 1B3
Telephone: (705) 360-2624
Fax: (705)360-2678
Email: [email protected]