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Planning Advisory Committee(PAC)

February 2025

Call for Planning Advisory Committee Members

Woodstock, NB — Woodstock is seeking candidates to serve on its Planning Advisory Committee (PAC). The selected candidates would primarily sit on a sub-committee to study and submit recommendations to Council, at the latter’s request, on all matters pertaining to planning and bylaw revisions.

The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) is an appointed Committee of Council and is comprised of eight members, no more than two are members of Council. The mandate of PAC is to perform necessary duties relating to community planning, as required by the Community Planning Act or Town Council.

This committee’s duties include making recommendations to Town Council on land use planning matter including Municipal Plan Amendments, rezoning of property, zone amendments, and subdivisions. In addition, the committee acts as the approving authority for the majority of significant variances.

Regular meetings of PAC are held on the third Monday of every month.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume before Friday, February 21, 2025. For inquiries or to submit your candidacy, please contact Laura Gaddas, Clerk, either by email at clerk@WoodstockNB.ca  or by telephone at 506-325-4600.

 Any selected candidate will be the object of a recommendation to Council who, as the competent authority, will make the final decision regarding his or her appointment, as the case may be.

Application for PAC Membership
 

 Purpose of the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)

The purpose of the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) is to provide advice and recommendations to Council with respect to a wide range of matters related to land use, development and community planning, including Municipal Plan Amendments, rezoning of property, zone amendments, and subdivisions. In addition, the committee acts as the approving authority for the majority of significant variances.

The Planning Advisory Committee is made up of 8 members from the community, which may include members of council or employees of the Town.  The Director of Development and Planning serves as the technical advisor to the Planning Advisory Committee.  

The current members of PAC are as follows:

  • Peter Kavanagh- Chair
  • Marlene Hassard-Vice Chair
  • John Morrison
  • Sarah Leech
  • Garth McCrea
  • Kurt Young
  • John Slipp
  • Councillor Jeff Bradbury
  • Councillor Will Belyea

Regular meetings of PAC are held on the third Monday of every month, except in December when the regular monthly meeting may be held on the second Monday.  If a holiday falls on the third Monday, the meeting will be moved to the next day.  Meetings are cancelled if there are no items on the agenda to discuss, or if a quorum cannot be met.

Interested in becoming a member of PAC? Application at bottom of page.

 Variances, Conditional Uses, and other uses

Development regulations in the Zoning By-law may not apply in the same way to all properties.  Depending on the physical dimensions or constraints of the site, there may be instances where regulations may need to be adjusted to accommodate the project and ensure that the land is used safely, functionally and efficiently.  Variances are special exceptions to the standards outlined in the zoning by-law regulations. Requests for variances need approval of the Planning Advisory Committee and can be subject to special conditions.  To apply for a variance or conditional use, a Planning Advisory Committee Application Form must be completed and submitted to the Director of Development, as outlined in the PAC Constitution.

 Rezoning

Zoning is an important part of the Town's planning process. A property's zoning dictates what types of uses are permitted, and regulates how a property may be developed.  The Zoning By-Law divides the Town into zones; a zone may cover one property or a whole neighbourhood.  Each zone prescribes a set of land uses, as well as development standards.  For example, if you want to develop a land use that is not allowed in the zone in which you are located, you need a rezoning.  To help determine the functions of certain areas within the Town, a property may be zoned:
  •  R1 – One and Two Unit Residential
  • R2 – Low Rise Residential
  • R3 – Medium Density Residential
  • R4 – High Density Residential *NEW
  • Mini Home Park
  • Downtown Commercial Center
  • General Commercial
  • Commercial Corridor
  • Institutional
  • Industrial
  • Parks and Recreation 
  • Environmental Conservation
  • Rural 
  • Rural Residential *NEW
A property owner or developer may have the opportunity to rezone a property when he/she wishes to develop the property in a manner that is contrary to the existing zoning regulations. The rezoning process gives the Municipality the opportunity to review development proposals within the Zoning framework.

 Re-zoning Application Process

The applicant must submit a Council Application Form, along with any applicable fees to:

 Drop off: Planning and Development Office 267 Connell Street, Unit 1, Woodstock, NB

or 

By Mail: Town of Woodstock – Planning & Development 824 Main Street, Woodstock, NB E7M 2E8

 Contact

Andrew Garnett-Development Officer

506-324-5694

Email: andrew.garnett@woodstocknb.ca

Please consult the planning and development department if you are unsure what type of application you require.