Site Alteration By-law Feedback

Thank you for joining the conversation about site alteration in the Township of Puslinch!

In June 2020, Council directed staff to commence a review of the Township's Site Alteration By-law. Staff, in collaboration with the Township solicitor, prepared a number of drafts incorporating Council's feedback at the following meetings:

• March 3, 2021
• August 11, 2021
• November 24, 2021
• December 15, 2021
• January 13, 2022
• December 20, 2023
• January 10, 2024
• Upcoming - February 7, 2024

There have been a number of changes to Provincial Regulations and specifically 406/19: On-site and Excess Soil Management. It has taken a significant amount of time to understand the potential impacts to the municipality and to appropriately incorporate provisions into the Site Alteration By-law. Following staff's review Ontario Regulation 406/19 a presented and first reading of the proposed Site Alteration By-law was considered at the December 20, 2023 Council meeting and a second presentation and reading of the proposed by-law was considered at the January 10, 2024 meeting. The presentations, as well as, the first and second readings of the by-law are available to be viewed on the Documents section of this page.

Highlights of proposed Site Alteration By-law:

• Tiered approach to permitting based on project size and complexity
• Public notice requirements based on project size and complexity
• Updated exemptions to allow for minor landscaping and maintenance works to occur without a permit
• Incorporation of permit renewal, abandonment, transfer, expiry, revocation, amendment and closure process

Primary Goals of the By-law

• Deter illegal activities through education and awareness, and where required, monetary penalties such as ticketing and doubling permits fees where work is done without a permit;

• Obtain compliance without escalating to court proceedings;

• Improve transparency in respect to the permitting process and engage with the public as appropriate; and

• Ensure that the Township does not bear the costs associated with alteration activities by imposing user fees that reflect actual costs incurred by the Township, imposing securities to protect Township infrastructure and the environment, and requiring the applicant to cover all third party costs.
  
  

The proposed Site Alteration By-law will be brought for Council's consideration for a third reading at the February 7, 2024 Council meeting. The Proposed Site Alteration By-law survey will close August 30, 2024 at 12:00 p.m..