Planning Advisory Committees required in Ontario

Contents

Most municipalities are required to establish a Planning Advisory Committee:

Mandatory for certain municipalities
8 (1) The council of every upper-tier municipality with planning responsibilities and the council of every single-tier municipality that is not in a territorial district, except the council of the Township of Pelee, shall appoint a planning advisory committee in accordance with this section. 2015, c. 26, s. 16; 2022, c. 21, Sched. 9, s. 2 (1).
Optional for other municipalities
(2) The council of a lower-tier municipality, the council of an upper-tier municipality without planning responsibilities, the council of a single-tier municipality that is in a territorial district or the council of the Township of Pelee may appoint a planning advisory committee in accordance with this section. 2015, c. 26, s. 16; 2022, c. 21, Sched. 9, s. 2 (2).
Section 8 of the Planning Act

What is a Planning Advisory Committee?

A Planning Advisory Committee is a municipal advisory committee that reports directly to council. It reviews applications for major changes to land and building use under the Planning Act and provides recommendations to council, including for:

Developer applications for Zoning Bylaw Amendments
Developer applications for Official Plan Amendments
Municipality-initiated Official Plan reviews and updates
Municipality-initiated Zoning Bylaw reviews and updates
Draft Plans of Subdivision
Site Plan Control
Temporary Use By-laws
Community Improvement Plan applications (that do not require Council approval)
Other Planning Act applications
Adherence to Provincial Planning Statement

Planning Advisory Committee decisions are forwarded to Council for final approval. Decisions made by the Committee are considered recommendations and are not final until approved by Council. It may also provide advice to council on matters, issues and policies pertaining to land-use, development and community planning. The role is advisory and consultative.

Who is on a Planning Advisory Committee?

Council must at least one resident of the municipality to the committee:

Membership
(4) The members of a planning advisory committee shall be chosen by the council and shall include at least one resident of the municipality who is neither a member of a municipal council nor an employee of the municipality.

Ottawa’s committee is appointed by council and includes:

Two residents who are
- residing in the Rural Area of Ottawa
- residing inside the Greenbelt
- residing within the Urban Area but outside of the Greenbelt
Representative nominated by
- Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa
- Greater Ottawa Homebuilders’ Association
- Building Owners and Managers Association
Architect and member of the Ontario Association of Architects
Landscape architect and member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects
Professional planner and member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute

What is a Planning Advisory Committee responsible for?

Provide recommendations to council on:

Comprehensive growth plans
Secondary and Neighbourhood plans
Provincial plan and policy conformity
Official Plan updates and reviews
Community plans and studies
Other long range projects that may lead to updates to the Official Plan

What laws govern the Planning Advisory Committee?

Planning Advisory Committee meetings must be open to the public (as with all municipal committee meetings), with some exceptions.

If you believe that a meeting was closed to the public improperly (ie. the reason doesn’t fall within one of the 14 exceptions), you can submit a complaint to the Ontario Ombudsman.