These documents are available in the Quick Links section of the Development Engineering webpage.
The Development Review Committee (DRC) is primarily comprised of planning and technical staff (not a public meeting) from various Town departments and governmental agencies whose signoff and/or input is required for development. The Town endeavours to provide comments on a development submission ahead of its DRC meeting. The meeting provides the applicant with an opportunity to discuss the comments and obtain clarity if required. The Town holds DRC meetings monthly in accordance with the schedule posted on the Land Use Planning Development Process webpage.
Assumption of a new Subdivision means the Town has assumed ownership and responsibility for the maintenance of all municipal services (roads, water/wastewater/storm systems, streetlights, and trails) in the subdivision from the developer.
In most Condominium developments, the services are privately owned by the developer and then are transferred to a Condominium Board. These services are not assumed by the Town (except for water systems in Common Element Condominiums per By-Law 2008-02). The roads in Condominiums and their associated maintenance, including snow removal, remain the responsibility of the developer or Condominium Board, and not the Town.
Roads are assumed only in Subdivisions (not Condominiums), once the Development Agreement terms & conditions have been satisfied. Typically this will be at least a year after the top layer of asphalt is placed, all deficiencies are rectified to the satisfaction of the Town's Development Engineering staff, and an Assumption Report and By-law are approved by Town Council.
The Development Agreements do not require a formal notification process, however, residents may contact the Town's Development Engineering Division if they would like to know the status of their subdivision and/or review the Town's Planning & Development Projects webpage.
Structures, landscaping and/or plant features may not be placed on the Town boulevard. Removal will be at the owner's expense.
Securities are funds provided by the developer to the Town as a condition of the Development Agreement. Securities are returned to the developer upon satisfactory completion of the secured infrastructure works.
Basic Services are the fundamental infrastructure works (watermains, sanitary sewers, storm sewers & roads) required before building permits may be issued.
Drainage plans for each development are reviewed and approved by a Professional Engineer. Drainage concerns on private property are a civil matter and outside the Town's authority. To report a drainage concern on municipally owned land (such as on a Town road, boulevard, park, or trail), please contact the Town's Operations Department.
Property owners assume ownership of the lot grading when they purchase the property. Altering the grades on the property is not be permitted unless approval has been obtained from the Town, who rely on the expertise of Professional Engineers. Occasionally, grading issues arise between neighbours around existing property drainage. Many of these issues can be resolved with open communication by all that have been or may be impacted. Grading issues are civil matters and not the responsibility of the Town. Please see the FAQ section on the Building page for more information.
Many new Subdivisions use a landscaped pond as a stormwater management facility. These are designed to collect, treat and control rain after heavy storms, before discharging into local waterways. These ponds are maintained by the developer until assumption, at which point the Town takes responsibility. In Condominium developments, ponds responsibility will be transferred from the developer to the Condominium Board.
Subdivisions undergoing construction may have temporary, although sometimes lengthy, nuisances regarding noise, truck traffic, dust, and construction vehicle parking. The Town requires the developer to make their best efforts to reduce these nuisances.
In un-assumed Subdivisions, the developer is responsible for snow removal. Snow clearing services are only provided by the Town's Roads Division after the Subdivision is sssumed. Upon assumption, issues can be reported on the Town website. All provincial regulations and Town By-laws, including the parking By-law, are in effect prior to assumption.
In Condominium developments, the developer is responsible for snow removal until a Condominium Board has been established.
The developer is responsible for maintaining clean and safe roads throughout construction until assumption.
Town garbage collection services will begin once the collection vehicles can safely access homes in the new subdivision (typically once 90% of the new homes are occupied by residents). Until then, homeowners should contact the developer for collection details. Full diversion service (recycling, organics, etc) may not be available until the Town garbage collection services begin.
Residents can always use waste disposal and diversion services at the Landfill & Recycling Depot during regular hours of operation, located at 788090 Grey Road 13.
Recycling boxes and green bins can be purchased at Town Hall of the Landfill & Recycling Depot during business hours.
In un-assumed Subdivisions and/or Condominium developments under construction, please contact the developer or the Town's Development Engineering Division. In assumed Subdivisions or on Town roads, please contact the Town's Roads Division.
Development Engineering review fees and timing for payment are outlined in the Town's Planning & Development Engineering Fees By-law 2022-14, as amended.
Although vegetation in areas such as parks, trails, wooded areas, and storm management ponds may be identified for preservation, hazardous or potentially hazardous trees are an exception and must be removed for public safety. The developer of your subdivision will coordinate with the Town and a certified arborist to safely remove hazardous trees. Based on the arborist's recommendations, the tree(s) will either be left in cut sections on the ground for habitat, chipped, or trucked away. If you have hazardous trees that you would like to report, please contact the developer or the Town's Development Engineering Division.
Restrictive Covenants are contracts that place limitations on what you can do on your property. These are common in new developments to ensure consistency in the neighbourhood. Contact your developer or real estate lawyer to inquire about possible covenants on your property.
Yes, the current standards are available in the Quick Links section of the Development Engineering webpage. Development applications are to be designed in accordance with the Town Engineering Standards and other applicable legislation and guidelines. On occasion, the Town may approve alternative design concepts.
In March of 2022, the Province of Ontario announced the More Homes for Everyone Plan and introduced Bill 109, More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022. Please follow this link for more info: https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-2/bill-109
A Condominium Board or Association oversees a building or community. They are responsible for collecting association fees, maintaining community standards, and providing services as required by their condo by-laws and policies.
Each Condominium Board/Association has its own set of policies and service levels. Consult your association's documents to understand what maintenance and service is provided by the Association, the Town, and what is expected from an individual owner.
Condominium fees are separate from your property taxes. Your condo by-laws will detail what services your fees cover. Your property taxes contribute to a variety of local services including road maintenance, parks and trails, fire services and more.
