Committees

The Committee of Adjustment makes decisions on minor variance and consent applications (severances, easements, right-of-ways). The committee consists of Council-appointed citizen members who hear applications from across the Township. 

The committee meets monthly unless no applications were submitted. You can access minutes and agendas for this committee by visiting the meeting calendar. For a full list of meetings, please view the  schedule and submission calendar. 

You can download the committee's Terms of Reference to learn more about how they run.  

Minor Variance Applications

A minor variance is an application to amend the zoning by-law when a proposed used does not conform to the zoning but follows its general intent. Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting an application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment. Township planning staff will decide if a minor variance is the best way to proceed. If you need more details about the minor variance process, download the minor variance brochure.

Consent (severance) Applications

Property owners can submit a consent application to do any of the following:

• divide their land for the purposes of selling it;
• make a lot line adjustment between properties;
• create an easement or right of way, or
• lease land for 21 years or more;

Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting a consent (severance) application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment. If you need more details about consent applications, download the consent application brochure.

Sign Variances

The Committee of Adjustment also acts as the Sign Variance Committee to regulate signs on private property. If you have a sign that does not meet the standards of the Sign By-law, you will need to submit a sign variance application to the committee.

Step-by-Step Application Guides and Timelines

The purpose of the committee is to hear a dog owner's appeals to the designation of a dog as potentially dangerous or dangerous by a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer or agent in accordance to the Township's Animal Control By-law 31-2013. You can download the committee's Terms of Reference to learn more about how they run.

The committee may uphold or rescind the Municipal Law Enforcement Officer's designation of the dog or substitute its own designation of the dog or requirements, restrictions or conditions of the dog owner.

GRAAC is a committee designed to address the needs of local Ontarians with disabilities. People with disabilities make up 50% of the membership of this committee along with representatives from the following municipalities:

• Woolwich
• Wellesley
• North Dumfries
• Kitchener
• Waterloo

The committee is currently recruiting new members for a four-year term beginning January 2021. For more information and to apply, please view the Application Form. The application deadline has been extended to October 30, 2020.

You can visit the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee website for more information.

The Property Standards Committee hears appeals of Orders to Comply issued to bring a property into compliance with the Property Standards By-law. The committee can quash, uphold, or modify an order. We call meetings of the Property Standards Committee on an as-needed basis. You can download the committee's Terms of Reference to learn more about how they run.

The Technical Remediation Advisory Committee (TRAC) mandate will be to ensure the appropriate review of legacy environmental issues (including soil, water and air contamination) and remediation efforts occur associated with the LANXESS Canada Co./Cie (LANXESS and its predecessors) chemical manufacturing site located in the town of Elmira, Ontario, within the contaminated Elmira aquifers (municipal aquifers), and any off-Site environmental impacts.

TRAC is an advisory body that includes members of the community, and interested groups such as the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and LANXESS and reports to Council.

To learn more about TRAC, visit our EngageWR page.

Learn more about TWEEC and the amazing work this group does by viewing the 33,000 Trees and Counting video! 

• tree planting through the Trees for Woolwich program
• community clean up days
• yellow fish road program
• phragmites pilot program
• pesticide alternative workshop
• developed Woolwich CARES green business award. Complete the online Woolwich CARES nomination form to nominate a local business
• Elmira Green Infrastructure Report was prepared for TWEEC by Natural Resource Solutions Inc.

If you would like to register the trees you have planted towards the total count in Woolwich visit the Trees for Woolwich count survey. 

Looking to donate? Donations can be done online at Trees for Woolwich Donation for tree planting. 

You can find more information about this committee by downloading the TWEEC's Terms of Reference. TWEEC posts news and events on the Woolwich Healthy Communities Website or on the News and Events Calendar. You can access minutes and agendas for this committee by visiting the Committees of Council meeting calendar.

If you would like information about TWEEC or past meetings, please email Ann Roberts or call 519-514-7027.

The Woolwich Environmental Advisory Committee was established in 2022 with the purpose of expert members providing both Council and Township staff with comments, advice, and guidance on how to protect, maintain, and enhance the natural environment. WEAC also meets to ensure climate protection and sustainability is achieved in Woolwich Township.

The Committee is comprised of 4-6 expert members and meets every other month. For more information about the Committee please download the Terms of Reference.

The Woolwich Heritage Committee was formed in 2015 to perform these tasks:

• Advise Council on cultural heritage matters;
• Advise Council on designation matters under the Ontario Heritage Act and listing new properties on the Township's Register of Heritage Properties;
• Promote cultural heritage awareness, education and conservation; and
• Recognize excellence in cultural heritage in the Township.

If you are interested in applying to become a member of this Committee please contact the Council and Committee Facilitator to obtain an application form, you can find more information about the Woolwich Heritage Committee by downloading the Heritage Committee's Terms of Reference.

Visit our Heritage Page

The Woolwich 2SLGBTQ+ Ad-hoc Working Group was established in 2023 with the purpose of providing advice to Council on next-steps to make the Township more inclusive from the 2SLGBTQ+ perspective. The Group considered specific initiatives such as a rainbow crosswalk and community events.

The Group comprised 4-12 members, meeting as needed to fulfill their mandate with two to four meetings expected. For more information on the Woolwich 2SLGBTQ+ Ad-hoc Working Group, please see their Terms of Reference.

On November 14, 2023, the Woolwich 2SLGBTQ+ Ad-hoc Working Group delivered a final report to Council which provided a multi-year roadmap to support and celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ people, friends, family and allies who live, work and play in the Township. Council approved the report and will work to implement the recommendations over the next several years.