Planning Department

The Town of Kearney is dedicated to managing our land and resources through responsible growth and development while respecting important environmental, social and economic concerns. The purpose of this page is to help you find the information you need.

Staff is happy to provide general guidance.  If you require more in-depth information about a property, you can purchase a Property Information Report which will provide zoning/building information as well as answer general questions.  In some cases, our Planners may be able to provide an opinion and the fee will be determined by the extent of the request. 


Pre-Consultation:

A Pre-consultation with the Town's Planner is required before submitting a planning application. The pre-consultation process allows you to submit your proposal and will allow the Planners to identify what approvals are required, provide an overview of the process, provide preliminary comments about the viability of your proposal, and advise you what plans, and studies are required to support an application.

Based on the information provided, the Planners will provide you with a Pre-Consultation Summary or Pre-Consultation Meeting as well as a Checklist that will outline the items (plans and studies) that are required to initiate a formal application. Comments provided through the pre-consultation process are preliminary based on the concept plan provided and do not represent a decision or recommendation regarding an application. Participating in the pre-consultation process does not authorize the initiation of any construction or preparatory work on site.

A Pre-consultation is mandatory for:

  • Official Plan Amendments
  • Zoning By-Law Amendments
  • Consent (severance)
  • Plan of Subdivision

APPLICATION FOR PRE-CONSULTATION    CLICK HERE


Consent/Severance:

A Consent Application is needed if you would like to create a new lot, do a boundary adjustment and/or create or change a right of way.  

After you have reviewed the Zoning Bylaw and Official Plan to see what is permissible to do with your property, download the Application for Consent and forward to the Town via email, snail mail or drop off with the applicable fees.  Your application will be forwarded to the Planners who will review the application and prepare a report for Council. 

At a public Council meeting, Council will review the application and will vote on whether or not to support the application and what conditions need to be met prior to consent being granted.  If Council passes a Support in Principle, your next step is to go the South East Parry Sound District Planning Board (SEPSDPB) who will process your application and hold a public meeting and render a decision. The Secretary – Linda Moyer of SEPSDPB can be contacted at lmoyer@sepsdplanningboard.ca or (705) 787-5070.

APPLICATION FOR CONSENT    CLICK HERE


ZONING BY-LAW:

The Town of Kearney's Comprehensive Zoning By-law identifies the different land use zones with detailed maps and provides information on permitted uses as well as:

  •     How land may be used
  •     Where buildings and other structures can be located.
  •     The types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used.
  •     Lot sizes, dimensions, setbacks, etc.

Construction or new development that does not comply with a Zoning By-Law is not permitted.  

Zoning By-law

Schedule A Entire Municipality

Schedule B Townsite

Schedule C Island/Loon/Grass Lake Area

Schedule D Sand Lake Area 

Schedule E Lynx, Clam and Peter’s Lake Area

APPLICATION FOR ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT  CLICK HERE


Official Plan:

The Municipality's Official Plan is a blueprint for the Municipality.  It guides all of the Town of Kearney's planning decisions - all development must conform with the Plan. 

Town of Kearney’s Plan Adopted


Minor Variance:

When the Municipality is considering a minor variance application, the four tests as prescribed by Section 45(1) of the Planning Act are applied to determine if the minor variance should be approved.
The four tests are:
• Is the application minor in nature?
• Is it desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure?
• Is it in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law?
• Is it in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan?

APPLICATION FOR MINOR VARIANCE  CLICK HERE


If you wish to develop your lands and discover that you are not in compliance with either the Zoning By-law or Official Plan, you can make an application for an amendment to either Plan.  

Applications (check our Current Fees & Bylaws for Fees/Deposits required)

Town of Kearney Planning Application 


Report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force in relation to Bill 109 CLICK HERE