The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is looking to appoint two community members to its committee of adjustment/property standards order appeals committee.
The volunteer positions available are one member-at-large and one representative from the agricultural community.
Applications are due by Thursday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. and forms are on the town’s website at notl.com/form/committee-of-adjustment-committe.
New members will serve until the term ends in February 2027 or until a successor is appointed.
Preference for the agricultural seat goes to a qualified farmer, if one applies, according to the town’s committees of council recruitment webpage.
The committee is a statutory tribunal operating independently from council with authority from Ontario’s Planning Act to hold public hearings and make application decisions. Council can hold public hearings for decisions, under the Planning Act and Building Code Act.
The committee deals with decisions related to land use and zoning, like minor variances, legal non-conforming uses, land severances, boundary adjustments, easements, leases, partial discharges of a mortgage or charge, fence and sign variances and property standards order appeals.
“That’s the first committee I started on,” said Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa.
Residents should have a say in decisions directly affecting them, Zalepa argues, and it’s “very standard” for municipalities to include residents on its committees, he said.
He illustrated the committee’s role: If a landowner wants to build something — say, a porch that ends up too close to the property line — they could need a variance to move forward, which would require the committee’s approval.
The selection committee, including four council members, the CAO and the town clerk, will review applications using skills-based criteria.
Eligible residents live, work or own a business in NOTL and are committed to the community’s best interest, according to the recruitment webpage.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and live in NOTL. Applicants cannot be employed by the municipality.
Provincial, regional and municipal knowledge of land use policies is required, as is familiarity with the Building Code Act, the town’s official plan, zoning and property standards bylaws and fence and sign regulations.
Successful applicants have access to a computer and email and the ability to objectively evaluate staff recommendations and evidence.
Committee members will attend about 12 meetings annually, held on the third Thursday of each month, complete site inspections and participate in online and in-person training sessions.
Questions can be emailed to clerks@notl.com, who has other submission options, or the town clerk/manager of legislative services, Grant Bivol, at grant.bivol@notl.com.
