The Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, announced the recent approval of new regulations under the Planning Act.
Development of land in all areas of the Island within the jurisdiction of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has been dealt with under the Planning Act Regulations since their original approval in 1977. Many amendments since then have reflected changing requirements, and the main group of regulations was supplemented by the Scenic Heritage Roads Regulations in 1987, the Off-Shore Islands Regulations in 1989, the Fees Regulations in 1991, and the Coastal Area Regulations in 1992.
"Over the past several years, my department has undertaken a comprehensive review of all of these regulations, an effort that was assisted through extensive consultation and cooperation with other government departments and agencies, as well as various user groups," says Minister Shea. "The result is that five separate groups of regulations have now been reorganized, consolidated, and replaced by a single document, the Subdivision and Development Regulations."
The new regulations also include a number of changes designed to resolve difficulties that had arisen in the application of certain existing requirements and bring them in line with revised regulations administered by other departments.
In addition, departmental policies and practices that have evolved and proven useful through the years have been incorporated. This single set of standards has been carefully written to make it more readily understood by individuals seeking subdivision and development permits and easier for departmental staff to interpret and administer.
"I am confident that it will help to streamline and simplify the development process," says Minister Shea.
Copies of the new regulations are now being distributed to all those who assisted in the consultation process. They are also available to the public through Island Information Service at 11 Kent Street, (902) 368-4000, island@gov.pe.ca. In addition, department staff are available to answer any questions and provide further information.