Ontario Construction News staff writer
The County of Simcoe has unveiled its Housing Faster Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) toolkit, which recently received support from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
This Toolkit features three main resources aimed at helping local municipalities speed up development approvals with a system that’s more straightforward, easy to grasp, and gets construction started faster. It backs the implementation of a Community Planning Permit System by providing:
The Housing Faster CPPS initiative comes from the County’s Housing Attainable Supply Action Plan, approved in 2024, which highlighted the need for quicker planning processes to boost housing availability.
The CPPS is a creative land-use planning approach that combines zoning by-law changes, minor variances, and site plan approvals into one smooth process. By simplifying procedures and shortening approval times, municipalities can facilitate quicker housing delivery while upholding consistent planning standards.
Created in partnership with local municipal planners and with input from stakeholders in the development industry, indigenous communities, and the public, the CPPS Toolkit aims specifically to create pathways for “missing middle” housing. This includes duplexes, triplexes, and other low- to medium-density multi-unit buildings that fill the gap between single-detached homes and larger apartment complexes.
Key elements of this framework include:
streamlined and predictable approval processes
built-in flexibility through as-of-right permissions and variations
community exchange mechanisms linking additional density to affordable housing benefits
enhanced clarity and consistency for developers and housing providers
Together, these tools aim to lower development barriers related to time, cost, and uncertainty-factors crucial in tackling housing issues.
The County will keep collaborating with local municipal partners to find new ways to support implementation while building communities that are both affordable and enjoyable places to live.
For more details, visit simcoe. ca/services/planning/attainable-supply-action-plan/.
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