On behalf of the City of…

On behalf of the City of Hamilton, I am pleased to provide this letter as Hamilton’s submission on Schedule 12 of Bill 108. Please find attached to this letter an outline of the key submissions the City wishes to make on the proposed changes to the Planning Act. The City is also submitting comments on the other Schedules of Bill 108 under separate letter and City staff will be taking a report to Planning Committee on June 4, 2019 and to Council on June 12, 2019 outlining our submission. Council’s position will be forward to the Province once it has been ratified.

We look forward to seeing the results of the consultation on Bill 108. City staff would be pleased to meet with you to discuss these comments in greater detail.

In general, the City is not supportive of the proposed changes. The changes will provide municipalities with less time to adequately review development applications and impact the City’s ability to increase the supply of affordable housing. Furthermore, the changes will decrease the deference given to municipal decision-making in achieving these and other goals.

The following are the City’s comments and recommendations:

• Staff supports the proposed change that expands the opportunities for second units throughout the City. Issues such as compatibility, context and appropriate zoning standards need to be evaluated.

• Staff do not support the proposed change to restrict inclusionary zoning to limited areas in the City. This proposed change will restrict the City’s ability to increase the supply of affordable housing. Staff requests the Province to permit municipalities to utilize the inclusionary zoning provisions City wide.

• Staff do not support the Minister requiring a development permit system to be put in place as this should be up to municipalities.

• Staff do not support the proposed change to delete the grounds for appeals. Staff requests the Province to retain the existing Planning Act grounds for appeals given that the Official Plan is the tool for translating provincial plans and policies into a local land use vision.

• Staff do not support the proposed changes to the timeframe for non-decision appeals. Staff requests the Province to retain the existing Planning Act timeframes.

• Staff do not support the proposed changes. Staff requests the Province to retain the existing criteria for parkland dedication.

• Staff do not support the proposed changes to who may appeal a decision on a Plan of Subdivision. Staff requests the Province to retain the existing Planning Act appeal rights.