I agree with you when “stating the obvious, a penalty will be imposed.” But why is that? I think, when it’s not done, the consequences are worse. The developer wants the build, Government wants the build. The build was established as soon as the developer got involved in this project. The OMB is sometimes used as a negotiating resource, but that can be risky, depending on the demands made by the residents. Anything that could have been agreed upon can go out the window along with all the money and time. How’s that for stating the obvious?
Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 21 November 2015 at 11:12
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Before York Region was created, municipalities were required to have a Planning Board
The appointed body was responsible for planning decisions.
Elected persons bitterly complained about non-elected persons having that authority.
Under regional government, both local levels were given authority for planning.
Early in Ontario's history, municipal councils were responsible for education.Councillors mostly represented local business. Educating the children of workers was not seen as advantageous.
So ...mostly....they didn't.
The Province created School Boards.
Libraries were seen as an extension of education. Board members were appointed by school boards.
The Mayor was the only political representative on the library board.
School Board Trustees always felt superior and above the political fray.
When the Region was created, planning departments were soon established at both levels of local government along with the inexact science of land use planning.
A Planning Act was created and rules established.
Official plans were required to pre-designate land use.
All in the interest of taking politics out of the planning process.
Only.....as we see on a regular basis....it doesn't.
Councils , as a matter of strategy, avoid making decisions with the slightest hint of controversy and despite horrendous cost of employing an army of planners to process plans according The Planning Act.
Huge blocks of time and resources that create nothing of value, are expended.
The OMB makes decisions if they must.
Municipalities, in turn, scream bloody murder about the OMB usurping elected authority.
And so the wheel goes around and around.
A comment this morning asked if the last post was a new game put out by Mattel, the toy- maker.
There was one time when the OMB came out here with all the excitement from a bunch of neighbours and council to
ReplyDeletedecide the mighty question of whether or not a lot could be divided into two. I think several lengthy council meetings
had already gone into the process. Those from the OMB knew zip about the local politics and cared less. No one knew
them. They looked at the plans, consulted with " their " staff, and uttered the magic words.
" Infilling " So because of the proximity of a major arterial road, one lot became two.
I think Highland is going to fall into a similar situation.