Comment
Third Party Appeals Prohibited
Bill 185 proposes to amend regulations under the Planning Act to prohibit third party appeals (i.e., by members of the public) for Official Plans, Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-Laws and Zoning By-Law Amendments. The province previously removed third party appeals for subdivisions and minor variances. Appeals would only permitted by the applicant, Minister, public bodies and specified persons (generally utility companies that made submissions).
The province’s own Housing Task Force only recommended no appeal rights for affordable housing projects – not no appeals by the public across the board.
The Township does not support this proposal to remove the ability of residents to hold Councils accountable for poor planning decisions. The pressure on councils to approve development proposals will be tremendous.
Public Notice Requirements
Bill 185 proposes to allow notice of new planning applications, development charges, and community benefit charges on a municipal website, if no local newspaper is available.
The Township supports this recognition that many rural areas have lost their newspapers.
Time Period for Evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal
The Township supports this minor proposal to re-establish the prescribed time period for a municipality to review new evidence introduced in a hearing at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Submitted May 10, 2024 3:37 PM
Comment on
Proposed Changes to Regulations under the Planning Act and Development Charges Act, 1997 Relating to the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 (Bill 185): Newspaper Notice Requirements and Consequential Housekeeping Changes
ERO number
019-8370
Comment ID
99153
Commenting on behalf of
Comment status