Planning Committees

The City of Cornwall manages local development through two distinct planning bodies:

• Planning Advisory Committee (PAC): Reviews major long-range planning initiatives, official plan modifications, and large-scale rezoning applications.

• Committee of Adjustment: Evaluates smaller-scale property changes, including minor variances to zoning by-laws and land severances (consents).

Committee of Adjustment 

The Committee of Adjustment approves minor variances and also approves severances (consents) under the Planning Act, such as creating new lots, adding to existing lots, allowing easements or rights-of-way (like shared driveways or utility services) and arranging long-term leases (over 21 years)

If you want to build a new building, add to an existing one or put up signs or fences, your plans must follow the Zoning By-law. If they do not, you need to apply for a minor variance. Typical variance requests include changes to lot dimensions, building setbacks, parking requirements, sign or fence height and minor changes to legal non-conforming uses.

Public meetings

After you apply, the Committee will hear from you (the applicant), review the staff report and allow others to speak at a public meeting. A decision is usually made the same day, or at a later meeting if more information is needed. Each application is judged on its own merit and does not set a precedent. A decision on one property does not guarantee the same decision on another.

Within 10 days for minor variances or 15 days for severances, the Committee must notify you in writing about their decision as well as anyone else who asked to be informed.

Filing an appeal

Only the applicant, the Minister or a specified person or public body with an interest in the matter can appeal. A specified person does not include an individual or a community association. If you want to appeal the Committee's decision, you must submit an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).