Development Review Process

A key outcome of the pre-submission review process is a customized list of the plans, reports, and studies that would be required in support of a complete application. Pre-Submission Reviews are highly recommended but not required.

Once an application has been received, it is reviewed for completeness to ensure the required supporting plans, reports, and studies are provided. A completeness review must be completed within 30 days, per the Planning Act.

If all the required material has been provided, the application is deemed complete. When this occurs:

• a development notice sign is erected at the property site, as outlined in the Town's Planning Notice Signs Procedures & Protocols.
• information about the proposed development is published at midland.ca/DevelopmentProjects. 
• notice is issued in accordance with the Planning Act to notify the public about a complete application. If appropriate, the notice includes details about an upcoming public meeting. 
• notices about Committee of Adjustment hearings are posted on the Council and Committee meeting portal and mailed to owners of properties within a prescribed distance.

Applications that are not supported by the required plans, reports, and studies are deemed incomplete. When this occurs, a notice is issued but no signage is posted on the property.

The Planning Act requires formal Public Meetings to be held for Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments, and Draft Plan of Subdivision. In certain situations, a Public Meeting may be held regarding a Draft Plan of Condominium.

Public Meetings are held at Town Council. Details about the application and how to participate in the public meeting are included in the notice when an application is deemed complete. No decisions are made at a Public Meeting. All written and oral comments received up until and at the Public Meeting are reviewed by staff and addressed through a recommendation report that is presented to Council at a future date.

A Minor Variance Application or Consent Application requires a Public Hearing before the Committee of Adjustment.

The Planning Act requires formal notices be issued regarding Council decisions on certain types of Planning Act applications. For Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law Amendments, a Notice of Adoption or Notice of Passing are issued, respectively.  

The County of Simcoe is the final Approval Authority for Official Plan Amendments for the Town of Midland. As such, Official Plan Amendment applications are forwarded to the County of Simcoe for review and a final decision. For more information, visit Development Planning - Simcoe County. 

Some applications, such as Site Plan Control or Lifting of a Holding Symbol, do not require a Council decision. The authority to approve these types of applications is deferred to staff. As such, no notice is required for these applications.

Not all decisions regarding Planning Act applications are final. Certain boards, agencies, and specified persons have the right to appeal a decision of Council and the Committee of Adjustment to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). To be valid, appeals must be submitted as prescribed by the Planning Act. In all cases, public Notices regarding a decision include information on how to file an appeal to the OLT.