I do not support exempting…

I do not support exempting residential development of 10 units or less from site plan,
I also do not support the proposal to eliminate landscape design.
While I agree that the aesthetics of architecture are subjective and could cause unnecessary delay, improved urban design creates great communities. There are many aspects of architecture that may be important to climate change and the environment.

Site plans play an important role in storm water management, which is used to protect the quality and quantity of water, and reduce localized flooding. Landscaping is a form of green infrastructure and helps mitigate climate change, particularly in urban settings where most natural areas have been eliminated or reduced. Architecture design may be important in reducing bird strikes.

More thought is needed into coming up with a solution that works, that streamlines the process, and protects the environment and reduces risks from localized flooding. The wording as proposed is not sufficient.

Perhaps a streamlined process where the building permit is the central tool, with more planning matters being addressed through this process.

The Niagara Escarpment Commission, has the Niagara Escarpment Plan and a Development Permit. The Development Permit is one stop shopping. The Commission reviews an application to see if it meets the general intent of the policies. It is my understanding zoning, which has strict provisions such as on side yard setbacks, is not required. Similarly, a municipality could have an Official Plan and everything is done through a building permit. Perhaps zoning by-laws are an extra level of regulation that needs to be eliminated. While there is the Community Planning Permit System in the Planning Act, it is relatively unused. Many municipalities do not have the resources to create a new system. It would be better if there was a province mandated process or the province provided easy to implement templates, rather than each municipality re-inventing the wheel.