Preliminary Comments on Bill…

Preliminary Comments on Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice Act
1. Significantly reduces opportunities for public input in planning
- more decision-making at LPAT which ignores Council's decisions where residents had a voice
- major reductions in time frames for review of development applications so insufficient time for input and more applications going to LPAT as Council cannot respond in time
- de novo LPAT hearings allowed again; resident input can be ignored
- participants at LPAT can only make submissions in writing in advance not present oral witness statement
- Minister can impose areas for Development Permit System (DPS), without public input
- set rules about public benefits eliminate consultation with councillors or residents or appropriate decisions

2. Significantly reduces City's ability to plan for livable, vibrant and complete communities
- inability to pay for appropriate Park space as same park space required on a site no matter what the density, and no “payment in lieu” allowed
- role of councillor in determining appropriate public benefits from a development
- limiting allowable types of benefits reduces ability for the City to provide needed benefits for an area and extra costs will be borne by existing residents and businesses.
- Dramatically weakens Heritage Protection

3. The Act is called “More Homes, More Choice” but where is the evidence that the provisions in the Act will achieve this?
- provisions for Inclusionary Zoning severely restricted
- no incentives for supportive or affordable housing

NOTE:
These above proposed changes are in addition to
(1) the Growth Plan changes made effective already (May 16th 2019) including expanded intensification areas around major transit stations (MTSAs) from 500M to 800M radius (amounts to 256% increase in area) significantly increasing impact on Neighbourhoods.
(2) Lack of investment in public transit to make areas outside of core attractive for development.