ERO 019-6163 I understand…

ERO 019-6163

I understand the need for more housing, particularly affordable housing but I think this government has gone too far with some aspects of this bill. I do agree with 3 units/lot in many residential areas. Increasing density in urban settlement areas is better than sprawl into rural areas. Many people are struggling financially these days so with 3 units/lot they have an opportunity to get additional income. I think people would use this option without the need to prohibit municipalities from imposing development charges. I also agree with transit supportive densities.
I do not agree with removing the approval responsibilities from certain upper tier municipalities and I urge the government not to do this. Upper tier are not influenced as much by local politics, they have more qualified staff and oversee the region. Lawyers and planners I have spoken with have commented on how bad planning is at the lower tier municipal level with planners coming and going constantly. I also do not believe they are neutral when it comes to planning matters and I question how critically they look at consultant reports provided by the developers. They are suppose to consider citizen's concerns but this has not been my experience. This is why I believe it is a huge mistake to limit 3rd party appeals. If this Bill was just about increasing housing, then this government would limit 3rd party appeals on housing only. Individuals and neighbourhood groups do not lightly decide to appeal a local decision. They do so because they are the people that a certain development will directly impact. The developments do not affect a local planner or politician. And in many cases, citizens opposing a development know as much or more about the development than some of the planners and most of the Council members. I guess it looks really bad and is embarrassing to municipalities when certain things are pointed out at OLT. It is also wrong to limit the 3rd party appeals based on a scheduled hearing. Every appeal already started should be allowed to play out. As well, all 3rd party appeals should be allowed on any development that is not housing, as well as for housing developments in areas that are not suitable for that-in rural areas that are not rural settlements or in prime agricultural areas. Costs should also not be granted to the winner. The winner is often the one who can afford the best consultants or the best lawyer. Costs should not be used as an intimidation method. Individuals and ratepayer groups are already at a disadvantage at the Ontario Land Tribunal. Developers have deep pockets and are more experienced at such things. Clearly for regular people to appeal, there are strong reasons for doing so considering the costs of the hearing alone. Awarding costs is just another way of silencing the public. The Province seems to act like a dictator than listen to the people. I hope that changes. Just limiting 3rd party appeals to housing only would still reduce the OLT workload. Upper tier municipalities should retain the ability to appeal without the worry of costs. The OLT wants parties to reach agreements but some planning applications are just plain poor planning and should not go forward.
Municipalities should still be allowed to insist on certain building requirements that will help reduce greenhouse gases and they should be allowed to insist on landscape design in terms of using native plants and trees to also deal with climate change and biodiversity loss.
It is a huge mistake for this government to further restrict the responsibilities of conservation authorities. This government keeps prioritizing money over the environment and it is very short sighted. The conservation authorities should continue to be allowed to appeal matters, and still be involved in protecting streams and other water bodies from pollution, and changes in baseflow and to oversee things on a watershed basis. They help municipalities with development applications. What will happen to developments already approved but where the conservation authority would oversee things at site plan level later? People don't trust developers and for good reason. Who will oversee things to make sure things are done correctly? Municipalities (lower tier) sure couldn't do it.