Admin Policy #2023-04 Public Participation Program Policy — full text

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 8c4640cc2bbe · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

1.0 Purpose Administrative Policy #2023-04 Public Participation Program Policy To establish an open and transparent policy for public participation and notification related to planning documents as required by section 204 of the Municipal Government Act. 2.0 Scope This policy is applicable to Council, members of the Planning Advisory Committee, staff of the Planning Department, and the Clerk. 3.0 References Municipal Government Act, s. 204, 204a, 205, and 206. 4.0 Definitions a. "Planning document(s)" means a Municipal Planning Strategy, Land Use By-law, Subdivision By-law, Development Agreement, and amendments thereto. b. "Staff" refers to staff of the Planning Department, or Clerk, at the Town of Digby. c. "Town" refers to the Town of Digby 5.0 Policy 5.1 Meaningful Engagement It is the intent of the Town to provide meaningful opportunities for the public to engage directly with staff, Planning Advisory Committee, and Council on planning documents through a variety of engagement methods and notification procedures. 5.2 Online Notices The Town will use its website and social media platforms as a tool for notices of all planning matters. 5.3 Engagement Reporting Staff will include in Reports to Planning Advisory Committee and Council, summaries of engagement methods, who was engaged, and feedback received, as appropriate, for all planning documents. 5.4 Public Participation Meetings a. Planning Advisory Committee will provide opportunities for public participation on planning documents at all its meetings prior to making a recommendation to Council. b. A summary of the public participation meeting will be provided to all members of Council prior to first reading. 5.5 Public Hearings a. As per s. 206 and 230 of the Municipal Government Act, staff will give notice of the public hearing in a newspaper circulating in the community once a week for two successive weeks. b. The first notice of the public hearing shall be published at least fourteen days before the date of the public hearing. c. The notice of the public hearing shall state: i. where planning documents may be inspected by the public ii. the date, time, and location of the public hearing iii. describe the area affected by the planning documents (e.g. map, address, etc.) iv. summarize the planning document (i.e. respect to an amendment to a Municipal Planning Strategy or Land Use By-law, or the approval or amendment of a Development Agreement 5.6 Notification to Property Owners Property owners within 30 m of the subject property shall be notified of applications to amend the Land Use By-law or applications to enter into or amend a Development Agreement of the public hearing by regular mail, prior to the public hearing. 5.7 Comprehensive Review of Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law Council shall provide for and encourage extensive public input during reviews of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law by developing and implementing a public engagement plan. The contents of the engagement plan are at the discretion of Council, but may involve committees, meetings, open houses, and surveys. 5.8 Engagement with Abutting Municipalities When adopting or amending the Municipal Planning Strategy, Council shall seek input from the Municipality of the District of Digby prior to the first notice of a public hearing. 5.9 Notice of Site Plan and Variance Approval a. As per s. 236 of the Municipal Government Act, the Development Officer shall give notice in writing of site plan or variance approval within seven days of granting the approval to every assessed property within 30 m of the applicant's property. b. The notice shall i. describe the site plan or variance approved ii. identify the property where the site plan or variance is approved iii. set out the right to appeal the decision of the Development Officer 6. Other This policy supersedes and replaces Public Participation Program Policy #2008-03 This policy will be reviewed from time to time and can be changed because of experience or new knowledge but shall be reviewed no later than five (5) year from the date of adoption. Clerk's Annotation for Official Policy Book Date of Notice: June 19, 2023 Date of adoption: July 4, 2023 Policy effective date: July 31, 2023 I certify that this Administrative Policy # 2023-04 Public Participation Program Policy was adopted by Council as indicated above. July 4, 2023 Clerk Date TOY 66 - Public Participation Program Policy Appendix A: Public Participation Program Policy Engagement Matrix This matrix serves as a checklist for the types of public engagement that will occur for new or amended planning documents as outlined in policy 5.1. Municipal Planning Strategy Land Use Bylaw Subdivision Bylaw Development Agreement Site Plan / Variance Town Website (Get Involved site) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) Yes Yes Yes Yes No Public Participation Meeting at Planning Advisory Committee Yes Yes Yes Yes No Newspaper notice of Public Hearing Yes Yes Yes Yes No Notification to Property Owners No Yes, within 30 m of subject property No Yes, within 30 m of subject property Yes, within 30 m of subject property Public Hearing Yes Yes Yes Yes No