Planning and

Construction
Management
Peter Bziuk, P. Eng
Manager Construction Services
County of Essex
pbziuk@countyof essex.on.ca

Land Use Planning

Managing land and resources
Provide balance between interests of

individual property owners and the general

community interests
Leads to orderly growth and efficient services

Provincial Jurisdiction
Highways MTO
Environment MOE
Planning Ministry of Municipal Affairs and

Housing

Role of Province of
Ontario
Issue provincial policy statements under the

planning act
The 2005 statement promotes a policy led planning

system

Prepare provincial plans

Greenbelt Plan and Growth Plan
Greater Golden Horseshoe
Guide municipalities and the public on land use

planning issues

Role of Municipalities
Make local planning decisions
Prepare planning documents such as
Official Plan
Zoning by laws
Approve subdivision plans, land severances

and issue building permits

Ontario Municipal Board

Independent administrative tribunal
Responsible to hear appeals for various
contentious municipal matters
Operate under the Ontario Municipal Board Act
Mainly responsible to hold public hearings
Subdivisions, land severances, minor variances
Planning documents such as official plans and
zoning by laws

What is the Engineers role ?

The obvious career opportunity with the

planning Act applies to planners

Engineers contribute to the development of

supporting documents
Engineers provide technical expertise for

Planning Advisory Committees

Engineers review and issue building permits

Official Plan
Describes Councils policies on how land

should be used
Prepared by the local municipality with public

engagement
Requires at least one public meeting and

statutory review every 5 years

Official Plan
Addresses issues such as
Where roads, sewers and water mains will be

needed as well as parks and schools

When and in what order community growth will
occur
Where new housing, industry and offices will be
located

For example, County Official Plan

Subdivisions
The division of land into two or more parcels
Ensures the proposal conforms to the official

plan
Ensures the land is suitable for the proposed

use
Protects neighbours from inappropriate

development plans

Registered Plan of Subdivision

A legal Document
Surveyed by an Ontario Land Surveyor
Conform with the Official Plan
Approved by the local municipality
Registered in the land registry system
Example One Tuscany
Example Two Leamington

Site Plan
Provides greater detail of the land use
Application describes proposed land use
Example One Howard
Example Two Tuscany Oaks

Building Permits
Local Municipality enforces the Ontario

Building Code
Municipality ensures compliance with zoning

by laws, and planning controls such as

setbacks
Compliance with other legislation,

Conservation Authority approval and

Environmental Protection Act as needed