Mapleton to explore replacing Committee of Adjustment with permit system

MAPLETON — Mapleton could soon be down one committee in an attempt to streamline the township's system for certain zoning bylaw applications.

Following staff recommendations at a Mapleton council meeting Tuesday evening, councillors approved exploring the "potential elimination" of the township's Committee of Adjustment by March 31, to be replaced with a Community Planning Permit (CPP) system and bylaw. 

Operating independently from council, the Committee of Adjustment considers severance applications and minor variance applications under the township's zoning bylaw. With the departure of former member, now councillor Lori Woodham, there are four members currently on Mapleton's Committee of Adjustment. 

In a report, staff said a CPP system will eliminate the need for a Committee of Adjustment and its mandatory public meetings since it replaces the consolidated municipal zoning bylaw with a "singular application and approval process" that is "more streamlined than the current traditional system." 

The bylaw would also provide "decision-making direction" regarding permitted and prohibited uses and development standards including minimum and maximum density, height, setbacks, step-backs, parking spaces and lot coverage.

Once in effect, the CPP bylaw cannot be amended for the first five years so council and the public can "test the efficacy" and "understand the impact." 

According to Mapleton's planning and development manager Michelle Brown, the idea to replace the Committee of Adjustment was inspired by Woodham's recent councillor victory, which left an empty chairperson spot on the committee. 

Brown also said council often has "no authority" over the applications that come through the committee and many other municipalities never see these applications and rely on input from various departments to ensure staff recommendations are met. 

While there is no financial piece attached to the proposal at this time, Brown said dissolving the committee would result in savings. 

If council decides not to go with a CPP system, Brown said the alternative is for staff to approach a previously unsuccessful committee candidate or put out a call for applications. 

A public meeting will be scheduled in the future to discuss the proposal before a final bylaw is brought to council for approval. 

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.