Official Plan

Applicant submits a copy of a completed Application for an Official Plan Amendment to Planning Services. Supporting documentation and fee must be submitted with the application. In accordance with the Planning Act, the applicant must indicate whether the proposal conforms to the Provincial Policy Statement and applicable Provincial Plans.

Staff review the application and within 30 days advise the applicant whether or not it is complete.

A "Public Notice" sign advising that an official plan amendment has been applied for is posted on the property by the applicant. The wording for the sign will be prepared by staff and provided to the applicant.

The application is circulated to various agencies, City and Regional departments for review and comment (e.g., Conservation Authority, Regional Municipality of Durham, and Engineering Services). It is during this process that the Region of Durham determines whether the proposed Amendment is "exempt" and only subject to final approval by the City of Oshawa, or "non-exempt" and subject to final approval by the Region of Durham.

Staff evaluate the application and review comments submitted by agencies and departments.

A Public Meeting Report is prepared for submission to the Development Services Committee.

Notice of the application and a Public Meeting to consider the application is sent to all property owners within 120 metres (400 ft.) of the subject property at least 20 days prior to the meeting date and within 15 days of the application being determined to be complete. In addition, notice of the meeting is placed in the two local newspapers and on the City of Oshawa website.

A Public Meeting is held by the Development Services Committee to consider the application and the Public Meeting Report.

At the Public Meeting, any person, including the applicant, has the opportunity to express concerns or opinions regarding the application to the Development Services Committee.

At the conclusion of the Public Meeting, the Development Services Committee refers the application back to staff to consider, amongst other matters, the comments heard at the Public Meeting.

Staff further evaluate the application and consider comments expressed by the applicant and the public.

Staff prepares a second report for the Development Services Committee's consideration recommending that the application be approved or denied.

The Development Services Committee considers the second report and makes a recommendation to Council to approve or deny the application. The Development Services Committee may hear from any person or the applicant before making its recommendation.

City Council considers the recommendation of the Development Services Committee and makes a decision on the application. City Council may hear from the applicant and any other person before making its decision.

If the application is approved, see Step 6.

If the application is denied, the applicant may appeal Council's decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), see Step 8. The applicant will be notified of the denial and the reasons within 15 days of the decision.

City staff prepare an Official Plan Amendment to be passed by City Council.

Once City Council passes the Official Plan Amendment, the City Clerk gives notice to property owners within 120 metres (400 ft.) of the subject property that the Official Plan Amendment has been passed.

If no appeal is filed with the City Clerk within the time period specified in the notice, the Official Plan Amendment is deemed to have come into force on the day it was passed by Council.