The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) staff provides comments to municipalities on applications made under the Planning Act within the SCRCA watershed as part of the Provincial One-Window Plan Review Service. SCRCA provides comments representing the provincial interest in regards to Natural Hazards under Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 of the Provincial Planning Statement, as delegated through the Memorandum of Agreement between Conservation Ontario, the Ministry of Natural Resource & Forestry and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
SCRCA review may include:
- Official Plans & Official Plan Amendments
- Zoning By-laws & Zoning By-law Amendments
- Plans of Subdivisions & Condominiums
- Site Plans
- Consent to Sever (Severances)
- Minor Variances
- any other planning activities under the Planning Act.
For more information about Land Use Planning in Ontario visit, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Citizens Guide to Land-use Planning.
Plan Review Fees vary depending on the type and scale of a proposal, Click here for SCRCA’s Planning Fee Schedule.
Pre-Consultation
Applicants are encouraged to meet with Authority Staff prior to submitting their development applications and proposals. Pre-consultation will help to scope the proposed development within the context of the surrounding Natural Hazard features. This pre-consultation should also include municipalities and other agencies where appropriate. Through pre-consultation, Staff can advise applicants of technical studies and supporting information that may be required for the review process. This process allows for the early identification of potential constraints and opportunities which will assist with the scoping of information, technical study requirement, and the identification of realistic timelines.
If you’d like to schedule a pre-consultation meeting, please complete our Property Inquiry Form and attach a concept plan for the proposed development, along with the fee
(Note: The Pre-Consultation fee will be deducted from future application fees).
Please submit your application to [email protected].
The SCRCA Area of Jurisdiction
Regulations versus Plan Input and Review
The administration of the Regulations and Plan Input and Review are two complimentary, however distinct functions whereas:
The “principle of development” is established through the Planning Act approval processes, whereas the Conservation Authorities Act permitting process, similar to the Building Permit process, identifies the specific site requirements prior to activities taking place.
Technical Advisory Services
The SCRCA also provides technical advisory services to its member municipalities for planning applications. In this capacity, SCRCA staff provide technical input regarding potential environmental impacts which applies to a range of matters.