The owner or his/her agent must make an application to the Secretary-Treasurer and include sketches or plans with their submissions, indicating the reasons for applying. All assessed owners of property within 60 metres (200 feet) are sent a copy of the application notice, and a sign is posted on the property until the time of the hearing; various City Departments and if necessary, agencies/ministries which could have an interest in the application, are also sent notices concerning each application. The Committee will receive a recommendation report from municipal staff.

At the public meeting, the Committee will hear any additional information from the applicant, they will listen to the municipal staff report and allow interested parties to speak on the proposal. Typically, a decision is made that same day, or at a subsequent meeting if further information is necessary. Each application is judged on its own merit and is not precedent setting. In other words, a decision made on one property doesn't necessarily mean the same decision will be made on another. Within 10 days (minor variances) or 15 days (severances) the Committee must notify in writing the applicant/owner and anyone else who has asked to be notified of their decision.

Only the applicant, the Minister, a specified person or public body that has an interest in this matter may appeal this decision. A “specified person” does not include an individual or a community association.

To appeal the decision made by the Committee of Adjustment, you may submit an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). To do so, you must complete an appeal form and include the appropriate fee set by the Ontario Land Tribunal. It is essential that both the appeal form and fee are submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment within the 20-day appeal period that commences from the date of the decision. For your submission to be effective, please ensure it is sent via email to planning@cornwall.ca with the subject line clearly stating: "Right to Appeal, File number and Address." Make sure to provide your reasons for the appeal within your communication.

• Application Form - Minor Variance
• Application Form - Severance
• Minor Variance & Severance Process
• Application Fee
• Committee of Adjustment Information
• Ontario Land Tribunal

Please be aware that the applications are placed on the website to help facilitate the application process. However, we strongly urge the applicant to discuss and direct any questions you may have pertaining to the application to staff.

Meetings

Council Members: None
Lay Members: 3 (Mr. Michael Pescod, Mr. Dale Allen and Jordan Suffel)
Frequency of Meetings: every 2 weeks on Wednesdays
Time of Day: 5 p.m.
Location of Meetings: Council Chambers, City Hall, 360 Pitt Street, Cornwall, Ontario
Person Calling Meetings:  Pre-scheduled and/or Chair and/or Planning Department 

Prior to submitting an application to the Committee of Adjustment, applicants must contact Planning Division Staff at planning@cornwall.ca to discuss the proposal. Only complete applications will be accepted and scheduled for hearings.