Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 1 Exam Practice

A committee that grants minor variances under the Planning Act is known as:

1. A minor variance committee.

2. Committee of adjustment.

3. Committee of municipal affairs.

4. Committee of planning.

5. Planning board.

6. Variance board.

The correct answer is: Committee of adjustment.

The correct answer is the committee of adjustment. This committee is specifically established under the Planning Act to handle requests for minor variances from zoning by-laws. Minor variances allow property owners some flexibility in utilizing their land without needing to go through a complete rezoning process. A committee of adjustment plays a crucial role in local land-use planning by ensuring that variances are granted in a way that respects the intent of the zoning by-laws and does not adversely affect surrounding properties. The committee considers factors such as the character of the area, the impact on the public, and whether the variance is minor in nature. In this context, other options do not accurately represent the body recognized by the Planning Act for such functions. For example, a minor variance committee is not a formal title under the Planning Act, while a committee of municipal affairs and a planning board typically deal with broader municipal issues rather than specific minor variances. The term variance board also lacks specificity and is not recognized within this context. Therefore, the committee of adjustment is indeed the correct designation for a committee that grants minor variances under the Planning Act.