You have received the Notice as you are a property owner within 60m of a property subject to a Committee of Adjustment application. The Planning Act requires that all properties within 60m be circulated by regular mail.
The Notice provides information regarding the purpose of the application, and a drawing showing the proposal.
You do not need to do anything, but if you wish to, the Notice will provide details as to how you can comment and/or attend the virtual hearing to observe and/or ask questions.

I’ve seen a Notice of Hearing Sign posted on a property, what does it mean?

The Committee of Adjustment webpage will provide all the details regarding the application being made on the subject lands.
The Notice of Hearing posted on the webpage will provide details regarding commenting on the application.
The webpage also provides the link to the virtual hearing conducted through Zoom.

Is there a way to participate, give comments and ask questions? Can anyone attend the virtual hearing?

The Committee of Adjustment Hearing, held over the Zoom platform, is open to any member of the public to attend to observe or ask questions.
You can attend by either using your computer and accessing the Zoom link to the meeting on the webpage, or by calling in with the call-in option noted on the Notice of Hearing.
You may provide written comment prior to the Hearing which will be shared with the Applicant and the Committee Members, as well as posted to the Committee webpage.
All comments received, including comments from the public, City Divisions, external agencies, as well as a report from a City Planner on the merits of the application, are posted to the Committee webpage prior to the hearing date.
Please review the Notice of Hearing for deadlines with respect to submitting written comments.
At the Hearing, the Committee Chair will provide verbal direction at the beginning of the hearing as to the process and how to participate should you wish to comment.
Anyone wishing to will have an opportunity to speak.

Who makes the decisions on Committee of Adjustment Applications?

The Committee of Adjustment is made up of three members who are citizens at large and are not members of Council.
Committee members serve a term equal to the term of the current Council. Members have the option to serve one additional term.

What decision could the Committee make at the Hearing?

The Committee typically decides to approve or deny the application at the hearing.
The Committee does, however, have the option to defer the application to a future hearing date should they determine that additional information is required in order for them to make their decision.
Their decision is then posted to the Committee’s webpage by the Friday following the Hearing.
A decision to approve the application can contain certain conditions which must be completed by the Applicant.

I have more questions, who can help?

Please contact the Secretary-Treasurer for further assistance:

Lorrie Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer, 705-325-1870, coa@orillia.ca.

Mandate

The Committee of Adjustment is mandated by Section 44 of the Planning Act and is governed by Chapter 64 of the City of Orillia Municipal Code.

Purpose

The Committee of Adjustment has general and special powers. These include:

The power to grant minor variances from the City's Zoning By-law
The power to grant permission to expand or enlarge legal non-conforming uses
Permit enlargements, extensions, or changes to legal non-conforming uses
The power to approve consents for land severances and easements or rights-of-way within the City of Orillia (pursuant to sections 50 and 53 of the Planning Act)
The power to issue validations of title (pursuant to Section 57 of the Planning Act)
The power to grant easements
The power to grant boundary adjustments or lot additions
The power to cancel Consents
The power to grant leases beyond 21 years.

Committee Members

There are three members on the Committee of Adjustment consisting of citizens at large.

Appeals to Committee of Adjustment Applications - Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

Appeals to Committee of Adjustment Applications are heard by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) (formerly Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT)). To find out more information about the appeal process for Committee of Adjustment Applications, visit the following websites:

Contact

Lorrie Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer, 705-325-1870, coa@orillia.ca.

We attempt to make our website documents accessible, however, some of these documents may not completely meet the AODA accessibility requirements. If you require assistance or communication support, please contact Lorrie Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer: 705-325-1870.

Committee of Adjustment

2025 Hearing Schedule

Upcoming Hearing Information:

Decisions and Minutes of Past Hearings:

Information for Applicants:

Information for the Public:

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