The City Planning Commission (CCU)
Under the Land Use Planning and Development Act, a municipality may create a Planning Commission (CCU). This committee allows unelected residents from the municipality to take part in certain decisions that have an effect on the quality of life in their city.
The main mandate of the Planning Commission is to make recommendations to the Municipal Council on planning and development issues.
In Cowansville, this committee is made up of the Mayor, municipal employees and residents. Citizens appointed to this committee sit for a two year term which can only be renewed once. The committee usually meets monthly to review requests for minor variations to the zoning by-law or to consider applications for an architectural integration and planning programme (P.I.I.A).
Requests for minor variations must be approved by Council. These are usually situations that are slightly at variance with the zoning or subdivision rules but do not deal with land use or density. By using this tool, Council can approve slight variations to its by-laws in specific circumstances after receiving the advice of the committee.
The by-law dealing with architectural implementation and integration programmes is a relatively new tool adopted by Council in 2006. Its objective is to preserve the quality of existing architecture and integrate new buildings into the urban landscape. The by-law also controls the erection of signs, building sites, exterior renovations and certain aspects of landscaping. This by-law applies mainly to portions of rue Principale, rue du Sud, rue William and rue de la Rivière.
Since this by-law came into effect, all requests for permits which come under its purview must be reviewed by the Planning Committee and be approved by Council before the City’s Planning and Environment department can act on the requests.
Traffic and Public Safety Committee
The Traffic and Public Safety Committee is mandated to give advice and make recommendations to Council on traffic and road safety in the City of Cowansville. This committee receives and reviews various requests in an objective manner and on occasion will refer to provincial road sign standards and other relevant regulations. Its study of various requests is essentially of a technical nature.
The committee’s main objective is reduce the number of accidents within the city and increase road safety while responding to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and emergency and maintenance vehicles.
The committee is made up of two members of Council as well as the following representatives: The Director of the Buildings and Infrastructures Department, the Fire Chief, an engineering technician from the Buildings and Infrastructures Department as well as two representatives from the Brome-Missiquoi MRC office of the Sûreté du Québec. The Mayor is ex officio member of this committee.
Family Policy Follow-up Committee
Cowansville identifies itself as a « Family Friendly » city. The City wishes to demonstrate to families that their development is a priority and does so through the actions of its administration and partners. All city resources focus on this goal.
Cowansville is a warm and friendly city which seeks to promote the interests of all members of the family. It offers them a variety of accessible high quality services in a welcoming environment.
The Family Policy Follow-up Committee is made up of a number of members, a representative from Council, a municipal employee as well as representatives of community and neighbourhood organizations. The committee’s mandate is to recommend to Council concrete actions intended to enhance family life.
Cultural Policy Follow-up Committee
Situated in a region with a rich Loyalist heritage, Cowansville is proud to play a leading role as a regional cultural centre in beautiful Brome-Missisquoi.
Cowansville’s intense and diversified cultural life reinforces its identity. Citizens proudly take part in cultural activities and encourage the preservation of its rich heritage.
The Cultural Policy and the Follow-up Committee were established in 2003. The committee is made up of seven members: one elected official, one member of municipal management staff and five residents each one from a specific sphere of cultural activity. Through its annual report, this committee recommends to council initiatives that will enhance Cowansville’s cultural life.
