26 (1) Where the Minister has not delegated his or her authority under section 25 and the Minister receives an application for a development permit, the Minister shall cause a written notice of the application, together with a brief statement of the nature of the application, to be given by personal service, by regular or registered mail or by email to all assessed owners of land lying within 400 feet of the land that is the subject of the application and every such notice shall specify the time within which any person receiving it may file with the Minister written notice of the person’s objection to the issuance of a development permit.  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (1); 2019, c. 7, Sched. 42, s. 2 (1). Minister may issue, etc., permit (2) Subject to subsection (7), unless within the time specified in the notice referred to in subsection (1) a notice objecting to the issuance of a development permit is filed with the Minister, the Minister may issue the development permit, refuse to issue the permit or issue the permit subject to such terms and conditions as he or she considers advisable.  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (2). Hearing officer, appointment by Minister (3) Where a notice of objection to the issuance of a development permit is filed with the Minister within the time specified in the notice referred to in subsection (1), the Minister shall appoint an officer for the purpose of conducting a hearing at which representations may be made respecting the issuance of the development permit.  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (3). Time of hearing (4) The officer appointed to inquire under subsection (3) shall fix a time and place for a hearing and shall send by regular or registered mail or by email written notice thereof to the applicant for the development permit and to each person to whom notice of the application was sent under subsection (1).  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (4); 2019, c. 7, Sched. 42, s. 2 (2). SPPA applies (4.1) The Statutory Powers Procedure Act applies to a hearing held under subsection (4).  2000, c. 26, Sched. L, s. 7 (22). Report (5) Within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing or within such longer period as the Minister may permit, the officer appointed shall report to the Minister a summary of the representations made, together with his or her opinion on the merits of the application for the development permit.  2000, c. 26, Sched. L, s. 7 (23). Minister may issue, etc., permit (6) After giving consideration to the report of the officer appointed to inquire into the matter, the Minister may issue the development permit, refuse to issue the permit or issue the permit subject to such terms and conditions as he or she considers advisable.  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (6). Hearing officer, appointment by Minister (7) The Minister where he or she considers it desirable may, and at the request of the applicant for the development permit made at the time of submitting the application to the Minister shall, appoint an officer for the purpose of conducting a hearing into the matter, and where the Minister does so subsections (4), (5) and (6) apply with necessary modifications.  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (7). Decision final (8) The decision of the Minister made under this section is final.  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (8). Subs. (1) amended (9) On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, subsection (1) is amended by striking out “400 feet” and inserting in lieu thereof “120 metres”.  R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (9). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2, s. 26 (9) - not in force 2000, c. 26, Sched. L, s. 7 (22, 23) - 6/12/2000 2019, c. 7, Sched. 42, s. 2 (1, 2) - 29/05/2019