City of Mississauga COVID-19 Response Continues: Virtual Committee Meetings & Library Recovery Plan

Today, Mississauga City Council approved several initiatives in relation to COVID-19 including virtual meetings for Planning and Development Committee (PDC) and Committee of Adjustment and a Library recovery plan.

“We are very pleased to be taking further steps toward recovery in Mississauga. Our Library has plans to reopen in a phased approach and our Planning and Development Committee and Committee of Adjustment meetings will resume in a virtual format. Enhanced public notification will complement the change of format,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “I would like to note our Planning and Legislative Services staff have remained fully operational during the pandemic and will resume holding required public meetings in association with development and Committee of Adjustment applications in order to keep our City moving.”

During the pandemic, on April 22, 2020 Council suspended PDC and Committee of Adjustment meetings. Since the closure of City Hall, Planning and Building Department services have remained fully operational, including accepting and processing development and building permit applications with online submission processes including fee payments and scheduling building and site inspections. Public meetings will resume in association with development and Committee of Adjustment applications. PDC meeting notices provide a range of options for residents and businesses to access additional information, including how to contact the city planner and how to provide written comments by mail or email.

Planning and Development Committee and Committee of Adjustment Virtual Meetings

Virtual PDC meetings will occur in the same format that Council is currently meeting with public engagement through telephone, computer or mobile device. Applicants will be able to present their development proposals to PDC and the public and respond to questions or comments from Council and registered deputants. Information reports will outline resident concerns received up until the report is prepared. Recommendation reports will continue to summarize and respond to resident concerns. PDC meetings will be held in evenings at 6 p.m. The first virtual PDC meeting will be tentatively held on July 13, 2020. Visit the Council and Committees Calendar for updates.

Which Applications Can Proceed to a Virtual PDC Meeting?

Development applications and City-initiated projects that are eligible can be scheduled for a virtual PDC meeting. Only applications deemed to be non-controversial or expected to attract limited public interests will be advanced. If public interest is limited, an information report with enhanced public notice would proceed to a PDC meeting. If additional public engagement is required during the public meeting, the committee may direct staff to either hold a second public meeting once in-person meetings resume or provide full public notice when the Recommendation Report is presented at a later PDC meeting. Recommendation reports for development applications and/or City-initiated projects that have already had a public meeting and which generated minimal resident concern should also be scheduled for a virtual PDC meeting. If the committee subsequently determines that additional public engagement is needed during the recommendation report meeting, it may defer the matter to a later meeting once in-person meetings resume.

Committee of Adjustment Meetings

Similar to Council and PDC, the Committee of Adjustment virtual meetings will allow the public and applicants to engage in the process and meeting through telephone, computer or mobile device. The public notices will provide details about how to register as a deputant to speak at a meeting or other means of providing input about an application. The next Committee of Adjustment meeting will start the week of June 22, 2020. The committee is to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays to address applications. Visit the Council and Committees Calendar for updates.

Electronic application submission and payment has continued since the closure of the Civic Centre.  Details related to the Committee of Adjustment can be found at https://www.mississauga.ca/council/committees/committee-of-adjustment

Marriage Licences

The City will resume issuing marriage licences effective June 10, 2020 at the Provincial Offences Courthouse, 950 Burnhamthorpe Road West by appointment. For details please visit: mississauga.ca/marriagelicences.

Library Recovery Plan

Council endorsed a phased re-opening plan for library facilities.

The library will use a phased approach to resuming services following the Government of Ontario’s announcement on May 14 allowing public libraries to offer curbside pickup. Details on timing and the service will be shared on City channels at a later date.

Library due dates and fines continue to be suspended until further notice.

Customers can continue to use their library card or virtual card to explore our vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks and other online virtual resources.

For more information, visit mississaugalibrary.ca and follow Mississauga Library on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit: mississauga.ca/coronavirus or call 311.