Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment for the Town of Tecumseh is responsible for rendering decisions on all applications for consent to sever, minor variance and permission relating to legal non-conforming uses, in accordance with the provisions of The Planning Act.

When rendering decisions, the Committee is to be guided by relevant Provincial Policy, Official Plan Policies, Zoning By-law regulations, comments from various agencies and residents, local knowledge, past practices and individual circumstances pertaining to the various applications.

The Committee of Adjustment is comprised of the following members:
          Barbara O'Neil, Secretary-Treasurer to the Committee of Adjustment
          Tom Fuerth, Chair
          Brain Cowell
          Andrew Dowie
          Bob Gilboe
          Duncan Hind
          Denis Mailloux
          Mike Rohrer

Types of Applications
There are two general types of applications that the Committee of Adjustment address. These include:
1. Applications for consent to sever; and
2. Applications for minor variance

Consent to Sever
A “consent to sever” or “application for severance or consent” are typically filed as a result of a property owner wanting to divide an existing lot into two or more smaller lots. Consent applications may also deal with easements, rights-of-way and technical severances.

Minor Variance
Minor variance applications seek permission to vary from the requirements of the Zoning By-law. Common variance applications seek minor relief from a side yard or front yard requirements. The Planning Act establishes that there are four tests which the Committee must consider when arriving at a decision. These four tests are:

a) whether the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan is maintained.

b) whether the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law is maintained;

c) whether the relief being sought is desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure; and

d) whether the relief being sought is minor in nature.

For more information regarding the Committee of Adjustment and its procedure, please contact Barbara O'Neil.  (519) 735-2184 or boneil@tecumseh.ca

Applications for either consent or minor variance are located at the links below.