FAQ

A Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) outlines how a community will grow and develop. The MPS identifies opportunities while also protecting important community characteristics, structures, or land uses. The MPS draws on the history of an area, current opportunities and looks forward to the future by setting goals and objectives for the community. These ideas are written as policy statements within the MPS. 

In Chester Municipality, we have a Municipal Planning Strategy which regulates all areas outside of the Village of Chester. The Village is regulated by a Secondary Planning Strategy (SPS), which is the document currently under review. 

A Land Use By-law (LUB) is the companion document to a MPS and contains regulations to implement the policy statements from the MPS. A Land Use By-law divides the Municipality into zones, with differing requirements and regulations for each zone. A Land Use By-law can also include architectural controls for new structures or renovations in a specific area. Where policy statements in an MPS can be broad and wide ranging, regulations in a Land Use By-law are specific and enforceable.

In Chester Municipality, we have a Municipal Land Use By-law that accompanies the MPS and covers areas outside of the Village of Chester . The Village Land Use By-law accompanies the SPS and is also being reviewed alongside the SPS.  

We are required to review planning documents on a regular basis to ensure that the plans remain current and reflect the wishes of the community and Council. The existing planning documents call for a review every ten years. The current Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law became effective January 28, 2004, therefore, it is past time for a review. 

It is also important to note that a review can range from a complete re-write of the documents to simply updating and making minor edits or changes. 

The Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law regulate land use and development for the entirety of the Village. The previous Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law also regulated some areas outside the Village boundary. This has now been changed so that the Planning area now matches the Village of Chester Municipal boundary.