Site plan control by-laws are not zoning by-laws. They are used to establish areas where site plan control will be applied over and above those set out in the zoning by-laws. These areas must be described in the official plan.
- Site plan controls are used to ensure that:
- developments are built and maintained in the way that council approved
- new developments meet certain standards of quality and appearance
- there is safe and easy access for pedestrians and vehicles
- the appearance and design features of buildings, and their sustainable design, are satisfactory
- there is adequate landscaping, parking and drainage
- nearby properties are protected from incompatible development
As a condition of site plan approval, municipalities may require the owner to provide land for road widening and public transit rights-of-way. Before municipalities can exercise this power, the road widening and public transit rights-of-way must be shown or described in the official plan.