Pre-Application Consultation

Why do a Pre-application Consultation?
Prior to submitting an application for an Official Plan Amendment or Zoning By-Law Amendment, Plan of Subdivision, Plan of Condominium or Site Plan application a proponent is required to consult with relevant City staff. In addition, staff welcomes the opportunity to consider other pre-application proposals. Pre-application consultation with staff will improve the efficiency of the regulatory process.

Commitments
It is important to realize that effective pre-application consultation will only be achieved where there is commitment from both staff and the proponent.

The City
The City seeks to provide a consistent and fair approach to pre-application consultations in relation to all forms of planning proposals. It will furthermore commit to the following elements in providing pre-application advice for both mandatory and non-mandatory consultation:

• Provide a named point of contact who will lead on the pre-application consultation.
• Seek to identify key issues or constraints relevant to the proposal.
• Undertake a review of relevant planning history related to the site.
• Provide advice on groups or organizations that the proponent may wish to consult with as part of the pre-application consultation.
• Ensure that negotiations and discussions involve the right staff and a coordinated view is provided.
• Identify any information, studies or reports that will be required for the planning application.
• Provide a written response to the pre-application query in a timely manner.
• Where requested, provide guidance on the determination process including a guide to the timescales within which an application will be determined.

The Proponent
The proponent will be expected to provide all relevant information requested on the application form to the City when undertaking a pre-application consultation. The process will not commence until the City has received all the required information. The proponents may submit any additional information to the City that they feel would assist staff in reviewing the merits of any proposal. (e.g. photos, building layouts, elevations etc.)

Advice without Prejudice
It is to be appreciated that pre-application advice is given without prejudice and given on the basis of the information provided by the proponent. The advice given cannot provide an undertaking that planning permission will be granted. This is because pre-application advice is given prior to carrying out of full formal consultations and is staff’s opinion only, and so cannot constitute a formal response or decision from Council.

Feedback and Advice
Should you require further advice on submitting a pre-application consultation request or wish to provide any feedback on the process or service provided, please email us at planning@sarnia.ca.

Format: PDF, to scale (metric)

• North arrow
• Property lines with dimensions
• Location and dimension of all existing and proposed buildings and structures
• Setbacks from lot lines to existing and proposed buildings
• Location of off-street parking and loading areas and setbacks of such areas from property lines
• Width of driveways and aisle accessing parking stalls and loading areas
• Location of outdoor containers for the storage of garbage, and other waste or recyclable materials
• Location of all existing and proposed sidewalks and pedestrian facilities, including connections to public sidewalks
• New and/or closed driveway entrances