Committee of Adjustment

Purpose
The Committee of Adjustment is a statutory tribunal with authority delegated to it by Township of Tay Council, under the provisions of the Ontario Planning Act, to hold public hearings to make decisions on applications submitted to the Township’s Planning and Development Services Department for minor variances, alterations in legal non-conforming uses and consents or severances. The Committee operates independently from Council and its decisions may be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Committee of Adjustment Members will also sit as a Property Standards Committee to deal with the Property Standards By-law and will also sit as Fence-viewers to deal with fence matters under the Line Fences Act.

Committee Mandate
The Committee of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body, somewhat court-like in its
operation, charged with observance and protection of applicable planning law and also
with protecting the rights of the individuals affected by the decisions made. The common law principles of natural justice require the Committee of Adjustment to ensure that individuals affected by their decisions have their equivalent of “a day in court”. The Committee must also satisfy legal requirements concerning notice, public hearings, calling of witnesses, notices of decisions and recording of proceedings. As well as the legal procedures detailed in the Planning Act, the Municipal Act, the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act govern the Committee of Adjustment.

Meetings are held virtually on the third Wednesday of each month (as required) starting at 6:00 p.m. Meeting times are subject to change. 

Committee of Adjustment Terms of Reference

Please visit the Council and Committees Portal for meeting dates/time, agendas and minutes. 

For questions related to the Committee of Adjustment please contact Todd Weatherall, Manager of Planning and Development Services at planning@tay.ca or 705-534-7248 x225.