Hello, a golf course in the middle of a affluent town on fully serviced land worth some 100 million dollars.
Some, but perhaps not all, members of council should understand the economics.
To the owner's benefit the land has likely appreciated while the town fumbles.
Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 12 April 2016 at 16:22
**************************************
The town has an administration with a payroll of millions. Part of the function of management is professional advice to Council.
We hear the solicitor has vanished without explanation.
Still....a new CAO of Council's choosing, a planning director, a chief financial officer, a director of Environment and Infrastructure and everybody else needed to advise on an application to develop raw land to urban are all on hand.
Professional advice should have been automatic but it seems not to be a matter of public record.
Instead ,Council's reaction is to pursue reduced authority for the Ontario Municipal Board.
That's not all.
The resolution seeks to deny the right to appeal to a Council (political) decision on land use.
A neighbours' right to oppose the application is not questioned.
Membership in the Ontario Municipal Association costs the town thousands. The Association is the voice of municipalities on Provincial matters.
Councillor Mrakas has not sought endorsement from the Association.
The Councillor is excited by continuing support from individual municipalities for the resolution. He is a new Councillor this term with lots of good energy.
He objects to a statement by Municipal Affairs Minister McMeekin; 80% of Municipal decisions are upheld by the OMB. The Councillor challenges the number and argues the Minister misses the point. He says, even if the municipality wins, it loses by the cost of defending an appeal.
The appeal before the board currently is not to a Council decision.
It is an appeal against the town's failure under the law to make a decision.
The town is on the wrong side of the law.
The town and the law are forfeit to the vested interest of a few residents who live on the edge of what was once a golf course and political cowardice of an entire council.
I can't think of a better reason for continued authority of the Ontario Municipal Board.
I don't care how many Ontario Municipal politicians are looking to protect their posteriors.
Just wondering...why wouldn't he ask for the OMA endorement? Maybe he did, but they said No. Not that this crusade is going to change anything. This OMB process is just too lucrative for many.
ReplyDeleteI think it was Ballard that justified going to the OMB because one won almost i/2 the time. It could just as easily be argued against for the same reason. He did not mention to quality of the case/ which could make al the difference,
ReplyDeleteIt's AMO (Association of Municipalities Ontario). A small detail, but one that I would've thought a longtime former municipal politician would have known.
ReplyDeleteThere must be a great story around the solicitor. Takes guts or insanity to just turf the whole thing.
ReplyDelete23:33... really? You come to this blog looking for accuracy?
ReplyDeleteWhy have they been draining the spring fed ponds on that course, for many years?
ReplyDeleteAlso, why was the public not informed?
Where are why is it being directed across Bathurst St.?
07:42
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect... that is bullshit.
Careful, 07:24, you might set off another of his persecution-complex 'pity parties.'
ReplyDelete