Official Plan

The Town's Official Plan 2034is the main policy document that guides the short term and long term development of our community. The Official Plan applies to the entire Town and has policies that guide what parts of the Town will grow, how new subdivisions should be developed and for the planning of services such as water, sewer and parks. The policies of the Official Plan helps manage the Town’s growth and helps new development fit in an existing neighbourhood. All new development applications must agree with the Official Plan before they can be approved.

Official Plan Schedule A – Land Use Designations

Official Plan Schedule A1 – Targeted Growth Areas

Official Plan Schedule B – Transportation Network

Official Plan Schedule C – Natural Heritage Features and Constraints

To find the Official Plan category for your property, visit our Interactive Map.

Official Plan Amendment

The Official Plan may be amended to change the rules for a property’s use or allow a planned development. The Official Plan Amendment process includes a public meeting that neighbours are invited to. Town Council decides whether to approve an Official Plan amendment application.

If you wish to apply to amend the Official Plan, you must schedule a pre-consultation meeting with Planning staff. If you are not the owner of the property, written permission from the owner for you to make the application must be submitted.

Official Plan Amendment Application

The Process – Official Plan Amendment

You must meet with Town staff to discuss the proposal before you submit an application. The discussion with staff will identify the documents needed to support the application. Meetings may be held in-person, by Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

A site plan of the planned development must be submitted with a meeting request. Please contact the Planning Clerk at 613-283-4124 extension 1136 or mremmig@smithsfalls.ca to schedule a meeting.

After the meeting, the Planning Clerk will email you a checklist of documents needed to support your application.

Planning staff will review the application to see if it agrees with the checklist sent to you after the pre-consultation meeting. If information is missing, the application may be delayed.

The application is sent to other Town departments and agencies for review and advise if more information is needed. The review may look at the adequacy of water and sewer services, traffic impact, impact on wetlands and more.

If more information is needed after department review, Planning staff will work with you directly so you know what needs to be provided.

A public meeting is scheduled and a notice of the meeting will be prepared by staff when department review is complete. The notice is sent out at least 20 days before the meeting and invites the community to give feedback on the application. The notice is sent directly to neighbours, agencies and staff and posted to the Town’s website.

The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) hosts the needed public meeting and gives Council advice for approval Official Plan Amendments. The Planning Advisory Committee meets monthly on the second Thursday. Special meetings may be scheduled when necessary.

A summary report for the application is prepared by staff to PAC. The report summarizes the application proposal, feedback received and planning concerns. The report does not include a staff recommendation for the purpose of the public meeting. The staff report is sent with PAC’s agenda and posted to the Town’s website 3 days before the public meeting.

What can you expect at a public meeting:

  • The Planner will present the staff report and answer any questions when asked by the Chair of the Committee
  • Everyone at the meeting will be allowed to ask questions and state concerns on the application or summarize their support
  • You, or your agent, will have a chance to respond to questions and concerns
  • Committee members will discuss the application, ask questions and state their opinions. The Committee may recommend Council approve or deny an application the same day as the public meeting. The Committee may also defer their recommendation until more information is submitted or if more time is needed to make a recommendation to Council.

If more information is needed, Planning staff will work with you directly so you know what needs to be provided.

Staff will present your application to Committee of the Whole (Council). The information is given to Council by a staff report that forms part of the Committee of the Whole agenda, which is posted to the Town’s website four days before the meeting. The staff report will include a staff recommendation of whether to approve, deny or defer the application.

If approved, Council will pass a by-law to amend the Official Plan. A copy of the by-law is sent with a notice to everyone who gave input on the application. The noticemust state that eligible parties have 20 days to appeal the decision. If no appeals are received, the decision is final.