Twin Lakes district planning commission

The municipality adopted the Twin Lakes District Plan. This District Plan, prepared in accordance with Section 102 of The Planning and Development Act, 2007 is intended to guide decisions concerning the future growth and development within the Twin Lakes Planning District by establishing an overarching framework of goals, objectives and policies which seek to promote the orderly and sustainable growth of the District over the next 20 years.

The District Plan applies to the Twin Lakes planning District which is comprised of the Rural Municipalities of Moose Range No. 486, Nipawin No. 487, and Torch River No. 488, the Towns of Nipawin, Carrot River and Choiceland, the Villages of White Fox and Codette, the Resort Village of Tobin Lake.

Twin Lakes District Plan - Rm of Nipawin Zoning Bylaw

codette lake planning

Development of the Nipawin Hydroelectric Project by SaskPower resulted in the creation of the Codette Lake Development Area. The potential changes in land use, environmental impacts and socio-economic issues initiated the rural municipalities of Nipawin and Torch River along with SaskPower to participate in a land use study resulting in the plan being adopted by the municipalities.

Re-zoning

To change the zoning of a property, for example from agricultural to resort district, a bylaw amendment to the applicable zoning bylaw is required. A rezoning approval is often required to subdivide and develop residential parcels within the RM of Nipawin.

Typically, a rezoning is required because the current Zoning District does not allow for the proposed development or there is a conflict with the proposed land use, parcel size or other regulation. Usually the applicant or landowner initiates the rezoning to support their proposal, but in some cases, the development officer will initiate or recommend a rezoning.

Re-zoning process

The initial step is for the RM's development officer to review re-zoning application to ensure the requirements of the relevant Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw and any other RM policies are met; with a report, recommendation and amending bylaw prepared for Council review and consideration.

First Reading of Bylaw

If the application complies with all policy requirements and Council feels it has merit, they will pass a motion to support the re-zoning application including a condition of approval to receive Ministerial approval of the amending bylaw. They will give what is referred to as “First Reading” to the bylaw in order to begin the required public notification and public hearing process.

Advertising

After First Reading to the bylaw is given, an advertisement indicating the reason for re-zoning, the affected parcel(s) and the date of the public hearing, is placed in a local newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks prior to the next Council meeting at the cost of the applicant. Members of the public have the ability to view or discuss the proposed bylaw with RM development officer prior to the public hearing date. Any written comments on the bylaw received by the date indicated in the advertising notice will be included in the agenda package for Council’s consideration on the date of the public hearing.

Public Hearing

At the public hearing, during regularly scheduled RM Council meetings, the public has an opportunity to speak for or against the proposed bylaw. Members of the public may also sit in the gallery to witness the proceedings without speaking to the proposed bylaw.

Decision on Bylaw

After the public hearing has closed, Council may give Second and Third Readings to the bylaw which would support the rezoning application, or they may defeat the proposed bylaw denying the application for re-zoning.

If the application is denied, it cannot be appealed. However, if the bylaw is passed an information package and copies of the bylaw will be sent to the provincial Community Planning branch for Ministerial approval of the bylaw.

The bylaw and re-zoning come into effect on the date of Ministerial approval.