A Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) is a flexible land use planning tool available to municipalities in Ontario, authorized under the Planning Act (Section 70.2). It is intended as an alternative tool that can help plan and shape the future of a community based on its own vision and objectives.

How Does It Work?

Instead of using multiple, separate applications for Zoning Amendments, Site Plans, and Minor Variances, a CPPS can combine these processes into a single, comprehensive approval system tailored to specific areas.

Key Takeaway for Residents:

Council is not approving or implementing a CPPS right now. Staff are simply in Phase 1, which involves investigating whether this tool makes sense for Centre Wellington. The current stage of the project is exploratory, and Township staff will keep residents and partners informed.

A CPPS aligns with the Township's broader goals and ongoing community priorities, including:

• Housing affordability, supply, and diversity.
• Faster and more efficient development and approval processes (modernization).
• Cultural heritage conservation and tree preservation.
• Urban design, environmental stewardship, and sustainable growth.

Phase 1 is anticipated to commence in October 2026, with a report back to Council in Spring 2027, and is expected to include the following components:

• Background review of the applicable legislative, policy, and regulatory framework;
• Review of the Township's current development approvals processes, including opportunities, limitations, process gaps, and modernization needs;
• Best practice review of comparable municipalities that have explored or implemented a CPPS, with consideration of lessons learned and applicability to the Township;
• Preparation of educational materials to support Council, public, and partner understanding of the CPPS tool;
• Public and partner engagement to identify local priorities, concerns, opportunities, and expectations;
• Assessment of potential benefits, limitations, risks, administrative requirements, and implementation considerations;
• Evaluation of whether a CPPS is appropriate for the Township;
• Identification of potential geographic approaches, including whether a future CPPS should be considered Township-wide, within targeted areas, through a pilot approach, or not pursued;
• Identification of potential strategic priorities that could inform any future CPPS framework, including housing affordability, supply and diversity, approval streamlining, subject to future redefinition; and,
• Final Phase 1 report and presentation to Council with findings, recommendations, and options for next steps.

At the conclusion of Phase 1, Council would determine whether any future work should proceed. Council may choose to discontinue, defer, or refine the scope/strategic priorities, or authorize and direct staff to proceed with Phase 2.

Should Council direct staff to continue, Phase 2 may include the following components:

• Draft enabling Official Plan policies and applicable framework;
• Draft CPP By-law, inclusive of all associated components, to guide future development approvals process;
• Scoped public and partner engagement, including a Public Open House;
• "What We Learned" engagement summaries, outlining feedback and the influence of public and targeted engagement on CPPS outcomes;
• Development of educational materials and programs to support Council, public, and partner understanding of the CPP By-law;
• Development of an internal Process Manual/Implementation Strategy; and,
• Final Report and Presentation to Council on draft and final Official Plan Amendment and CPP By-law for direction, endorsement, and feedback, consolidating all phases and implementation considerations.