The Planning and Community Development Department is responsible for land use planning and review and approval of various applications under the Planning Act, such as: Zoning By-law Amendments (re-zonings), Minor Variance Applications, Consent/Severance Applications, Site Plan Agreements, Official Plan Amendments, and Subdivisions.

This Department tackles emerging planning issues, by identifying and exploring trends and issues, developing forecasts, and proposing and assessing policy responses. It is also responsible for the Official Plan, which is the blueprint for land development for the future.