As of March 1st, 2021, Perth County has launched a new planning division service model to help streamline planning services for the county and the lower tier municipalities.
Perth County Planning Manager, Sally McMullen, says in the past, property owners would potentially have to talk to one planner at one level for something like a severance, and another planner for a different zoning amendment. Now, that won't be the case, as each municipality will have one planner assigned to handle everything for residents there, and the county will have one, as well.
"It just came down to an intention from both the county and the local municipalities to be coordinated and be in a partnership to make planning more efficient and more user friendly."
McMullen says this process is easier on the county and municipalities, as well as land owners who can now deal with one planner and get things done in a more timely fashion, because they now only have to go to one source with any planning concerns. McMullen notes it wasn't an easy process finding something that worked for everyone, but they wanted something easier for landowners to use.
"We all wanted it and we persevered so we could get a system that works. But it really was because we all decided 'Hey, can you just tell me what your needs are, and I'll tell you what mine are, and let's make a good system.'"
“The coordination of Planning is reflective of our commitment to partnership and service delivery excellence within our communities and with our lower-tier municipalities” adds Lori Wolfe, CAO of Perth County.
Information to reach Planning staff for inquiries is available online by visiting: http://www.perthcounty.ca/planning