DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

The Provincial Government has provided municipal councils with the ability to regulate certain aspects of a development that are not directly addressed in the Zoning Bylaw or the Building Bylaw. For instance, for commercial development, the Council can establish guidelines for the general type of exterior finish of the buildings and landscapes features, and then require that all proposals meet these guidelines. Once the council is satisfied that a proposal would satisfy all the guidelines that have been established, a Development Permit can then be issued.

A Development Permit is not a Building Permit. Once you have obtained your Development Permit, you can then apply for a Building Permit.

WHEN IS A DEVELOPMENT PERMIT REQUIRED?

If your property is located within a Development Permit area as designated in the Village's Official Community Plan, then you will be required to obtain a Development Permit. Generally, Development Permits are required for all commercial and multi-family residential development in the Village. In the Official Community Plan, the specific guidelines are outlined that your particular development will be required to satisfy.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PROCESS?

Municipal Council

The Council must authorize the issuance of a Development Permit. It is not the not the Clerk's nor the Building Inspector's responsibility to decide whether a permit should be issued.

Clerk

The Clerk coordinates the application review process and provides recommendations to the Council on the technical aspects of the application.

Other Municipal Officials

Depending upon the complexity of the application, input may be requested from the Building Inspector, the Works Foreman, and the Planner and the Fire Chief.

General Public

Members of the general public who believe that their interests are affected by the Development Permit are given an opportunity to comment in the proposal at the Council meeting at which the Council will consider the application for Permit.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROCESS?

The review process enables the Council to thoroughly examine the potential impacts that a development may have on the properties in the immediate area of the proposed development. By using the professional resources of the municipal staff and by providing the general public an opportunity to express its view on a proposed change, the Village Council can ensure that development proceeds in a manner that is consistent with the long term goals of the community.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Stage 1: Submit an Application

1. An Application for a development permit is submitted to the Clerk. In addition to the completed form you must provide the following information:

a) a recent Certificate of Title;

b) a Development Permit Application Fee payable to the Village of Pemberton, the amount of which is based upon the schedule of fees;

c) an Authorization Letter should the owner of the property have another person act on his/her behalf;

d) a Letter of Intent explaining what you are planning to construct;

e) a Site Plan (7 copies, 11 x 17) illustrating:

i) proposed location of buildings, parking areas, access/egress, and open spaces,

ii) proposed landscaping features.

f) an Elevation Drawing ( 7 copies, 11 x 17) illustrating:

i) the front, sides, and rear facades of the building;

ii) proposed exterior finish of the building (i.e. siding, roof material, colour scheme). Additional information may be requested for specific site locations or particular design considerations. Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Stage 2: Application Review

2. On behalf of the Clerk, the planner conducts a review of the proposal. If necessary, the application will be referred to the Building Inspector, Works Foreman, or the appropriate provincial government agency for comments.

3. The Planner prepares a report to the Council recommending whether or not a Development Permit should be issued, a report outlining the conditions or pre-requisites that must be met by the applicant.

Stage 3: Council Meeting 4.

The Village notifies the public that a the Development Permit will be considered by Council at an upcoming Council meeting;

5. Council formally reviews the Planner's report on the Development Permit at a Council Meeting. Members of the Public are invited to provide comments.

6. Once Public Comments have been reviewed, Council may: Authorize the Clerk to issue a Development Permit; Authorized the Clerk to issue a Development Permit should certain prerequisite conditions be satisfied; Require that changes be made to the proposal; Request that additional information be provided; or reject the application.

Stage 4: Satisfy the Pre-requisites

7. You submit the necessary information in order to satisfy the pre-requisite conditions as established by the Council.

Stage 5: Issuance of Permit

8. Once the Clerk is satisfied all the perquisite conditions have been addressed, the Development Permit will be issued.

9. Notification of the Permit will be registered with the Land Title Office by the Village.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

The amount of time to process a Development Permit application is largely dependent upon the complexity of the application. In addition, the time frame is affected by how well you respond to meeting the pre-requisites established by Council. On average, a Development Permit application should take three to four (3-4) months to process once an application has been submitted. It must be recognized that the process could take longer, again depending upon the intricacies of the application and the developer's own timing.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS PROCESS?

Every development proposal will require additional approvals before development can proceed. You should make note of the following: Building Permit Approval- required for the construction of all buildings.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact:

Development Services - Village of Pemberton
Phone: 604.894.6135

Last Updated on Thursday, August 26, 2010