The Town of Ajax has announced that it is completing a comprehensive review of its Zoning By-law to ensure that it aligns with the town’s Official Plan and other best practices from across Ontario.
A zoning by-law controls the use of land and buildings.
The current, in-effect zoning by-law for the Town of Ajax is Zoning By-law No. 95-2003 as amended, which was adopted by Ajax Council on July 14, 2003.
Since 2003, the town has passed some 220 zoning by-law amendments stemming from development applications and town-initiated studies. During that same time, approximately 1,250 Minor Variance applications have been processed by the Committee of Adjustment, said a town notice.
A zoning by-law identifies:
- How land and buildings may or may not be used.
- The size and location of buildings and structures.
- Required lot sizes and dimensions.
- Minimum or maximum parking space and loading space requirements.
- Minimum and maximum building heights and densities.
A zoning By-law cannot regulate matters such as colour, architectural theme or aesthetics of a building. Further, a zoning By-law cannot regulate the people who may occupy a building, nor the relationship between the occupants, said a town notice.
The Planning Act requires municipalities to bring their zoning by-laws into conformity with its Official Plan. Updating the Zoning By-law to align with the Official Plan can introduce ‘as-of-right’ land use permissions, while introducing associated standards to ensure that urban design policies are adhered to and the natural environment is protected, th tow said.
Technical Reports and Draft Zoning By-law
On June 17, 2024, council endorsed staff report PDS-2024-15 to mark the start of Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review. Phase 2 includes the release of eight technical reports, which provide an assessment that examines applicable policies, best practices, and options to address issues. The Technical Reports also recommend amendments to the zoning by-law.
A draft zoning by-law that illustrates all proposed amendments is also available for review. The public, agencies, and stakeholders are invited to review the technical reports and draft by-law, participate in open houses and activities, and provide comments and questions to staff. Deadline to provide comments is Monday, September 16, the town notice said.
It said the draft by-law will be considered by the Community Affairs and Planning Committee Meeting tentatively scheduled for October 7.