Land use planning policy changes to give communities a stronger voice
More options available for living, working, learning, shopping and playing, says minister
YorkRegion.com
July 3, 2017
Teresa Latchford
Changes to land use policies are giving municipalities more authority when it comes to protecting the environment and building livable communities.
Municipal affairs minister Bill Mauro stood in front of the first purpose-built rental apartment building in York Region in 20 years located at 212 Davis Dr. to provide details on the proposed Ontario Municipal Board reforms and updates to four land use plans that will help manage the growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
“The government is proud to support York Region’s award-winning work toward complete communities,” Mauro said.
"The updated growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and our proposed reforms to the land use planning appeal system would further help the region to realize the types of communities where people can live, work and play and where a range of housing options for all household sizes and incomes are available.”
Updates to the province’s growth, Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine conservation and Niagra Escarpment plans will assist municipalities in creating communities offering more options for living, working, learning, shopping and playing, improve access to a greater range of transportation options to reduce gridlock, more housing options, revitalize downtowns, guide and prioritize infrastructure planning and investments, curb urban sprawl while protecting farmland and green spaces, support climate change mitigation and promote long-term economic growth, according to Mauro.
The proposed change in the province’s land use planning appeal system would, if approved, replace the Ontario Municipal Board with a local planning appeal tribunal as early as the spring of 2018.
The OMB heard 1,460 matters from across the province in 2016. The tribunal would be an independent tribunal that makes decisions at arms’ length from the government.
The purpose is to give communities a stronger voice in deciding how its town is developed and to create a one-window approach to provide free information and support to citizens who want to participate in the process.
Consultation feedback from communities and experts made it clear an appeal system that gave residents and municipalities a stronger voice, was more fair and transparent was wanted.
“One size doesn’t fit all,” he added. “This will allow municipalities the flexibility to act under local circumstances.”
Intensity is the best friend to affordability when it comes to housing, according to Newmarket regional Coun. John Taylor. With the average home being worth $1.1 million in the region, density is a way to address affordability.
“Municipalities can be trusted with this authority,” he said. “It doesn’t mean we will ignore other planning policies but it allows us to say maybe not there but let us show you where to build.”
He used the apartments at 212 Davis Dr. as an example, rental units including subsidized units. The region deferred development charges in order to get the shovels in the ground more quickly and help provide rentals that are so desperately needed.
It is a project that is now ingrained in regional policy.
Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard, Oak Ridges-Markham MPP Helena Jaczek and Aurora Mayor Geoff Dawe were also in attendance to support the announcement.
