Senior Editor

We’d like to hear from you! We hope that this Guide has helped you to participate more effectively in the Committee of Adjustment review process. PARA’s goal is to update the guide as the City’s planning process evolves and as new challenges and opportunities emerge. PARA is committed to good planning in the neighbourhood and … Read more

Appeals of the Committee of Adjustment decisions will be dealt with by the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB). The TLAB is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that decides most Committee of Adjustment appeals in the City of Toronto. It is made up of locally appointed members who will make decisions about local planning matters affecting Toronto … Read more

If you have concerns about the proposed development – either positive or negative – you can make your views known by presenting to the Committee of Adjustment at the hearing or by submitting a letter of support or objection prior to the hearing. Deciding on your approach Will you submit a letter? Attend the hearing? … Read more

The City of Toronto has prepared an easy-to-read brochure “Getting to Know the City of Toronto Committee of Adjustment”. This booklet, and a more technical document outlining the committee’s rules and procedures, can be accessed through the Committee of Adjustment website. Role of the Committee of Adjustment The Committee of Adjustment consists of citizen members, … Read more

When an Owner decides to make changes to his or her property, the City of Toronto requires a Plan Review Process to be followed. This process involves several stages: Zoning Review Building Code Review Mechanical Plans Examination Fire Prevention Examination The Committee of Adjustment is involved only in the Zoning Review. Other departments are responsible … Read more

A Public Hearing Notice just arrived through your mail slot telling you that a neighbour has applied for approval to make changes to their property. You feel a little overwhelmed. The technical language and diagrams presented in the Notice are difficult to understand. And you are struggling to figure out how the ‘minor variances’ requested … Read more

The Palmerston Area Resident’s Association (www.palmerstonara.org) recently published an excellent guide for residents appearing at Committee of Adjustment hearings. This guide has been transformed to an electronic version. This has been done with the permission of the authors of this guide. You are encouraged to read the original version of his guide, and to acknowledge … Read more