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Improving the Planning Process |
Here in North Toronto, Bayview and Don Mills, we are all
fiercely proud of our neighbourhoods. The people who
live here, love it here – for our unique and well-kempt
properties, for our beautiful parks and ravines, for our
vibrant commercial areas, and for the friendly attitude
of our neighbours.
This pride of community has led to a strong consensus
that we must do everything possible to preserve this
treasure within Toronto. As such, it is particularly
important that applications for new development receive
a high level of scrutiny from the local community; and
that ratepayer associations as well as individual
residents continue pay close attention to proposals
which would alter the precious environment we now enjoy.
The process for approving new development is therefore
of great interest to many in our community. After
hearing concerns that the current planning process
involves citizens too late in the process and gives them
too little input, Council appointed a sub-committee,
including myself, to propose constructive change.
Chaired by Councillor John Filion, the sub-committee has
consulted with citizens across the city at five public
meetings and is now preparing to recommend some very
significant changes.
The current planning process frequently involves an
extensive two-way discussion between an applicant and
city planning staff before any application is filed –
resulting in city staff effectively being used as unpaid
consultants. Neighbours have expressed serious concern
about being excluded from that initial dialogue, as too
often, it results in city planning staff coming to some
measure of agreement with an applicant before local
residents are even aware that a development proposal has
been filed.
If approved by Council, the proposed new process would
engage citizens more quickly when an application is
received. It would also provide for an optional step to
permit pre-application consultation by an applicant with
both city staff and the community. Other measures being
considered include making some application information
available on the internet. Staff reports would include
all concerns raised by the public at community
consultation meetings and address whether or not the
applicant is proposing mitigating measures to deal with
them.
The sub-committee also heard a great deal about
procedural problems at the Committee of Adjustment –
including concerns expressed about an inadequate notice
period, poor communication and difficult-to-understand
notices and decisions. Consequently, we are proposing
improvements to the Committee of Adjustment process as
well.
If approved, these measures will give citizens of
Toronto more control in preserving our wonderful
neighbourhoods - including North Toronto, Bayview and
Don Mills.
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