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wsrktoocunomcuri -- .Novanber20.2013-3 "Right now, that public consultation piece is , . , . entirely lost as part of the If 1:9 thzglc we've got It process. People who have ‘ ‘ é, _ "if: ",1 mam; were . . g r idding ourse ues. Invested themselves in part , M f. 4410"” "mums “might“ of this process and being 3 "" ‘- habitat-m engaged, their voices need " 0" {he "“7“” "" PM"? ‘0 "’9‘ ,, . x outside of“: own borders to examine to be there at all stages. ' . battpracn'ce: in order to m eflbflr'ue â€" Kitchner resident James Howe '_ improvemeno 1? the OHM on the importance of ensuring all . Muniapa Board stakeholders are consulted throughout the OMB appeal process __ . b .! n. we- .â€" ,_ More than 100 residents, municipal staffers, property developers and Midas from communities across southern Ontario attended a public meeting to review the Ontario Municipal Board last week in Kitchener. Msmm" OMB dB 'e I C O O O O . Provmaal rewew of Ontano Munwzpal Board comes to Waterloo Region Bylaw-s [Mm “People who have invested themselves in has a board similar to the OMBthat hear mary witness, whopresented at the session, Chmmdeh‘m/i 7 7 7 7 pan ofthis process and being engaged, their appeals from land use planning decisions. Those who attended the meeting were voices need to be there at all stages” though the matters before them may vary broken into several groups based on four on) transparency better amountability. The government is conducting this con» The number of cases filed with the OMB key themes, ranging from transparency and less ambiguity and greater public sultation to ensure the land use planning each year varies. in 2007/2008, the board accountability to protecting long»terrn pub‘ access â€" these are just a few of the and appeal systems. as well as the develop- heard 1.763 cases. in 2011/2012 that number lic interests and supporting iob creation and improvements residents and municipalities merit charges system. are more predictable. fell slightly to 1,527. Minor variances and economic growth. would like to see as part of the provindal govâ€" transparent and cost efiective. consents make up nearly 60 per cent of all The groups tried to answer 17 questions ernment‘s review of the Ontario Municipal The government has taken some critir cases. and in 2011/2012 nearly a third of all or issues related to those four themes during Board, cism because it has made it clear it will not cases originated from Toronto (30 per cent). the nearly three-hour session. The provrnce will vrsit six different consider scrapping the OMB or dramatically Another 16 per cent came from the Greater Representatives from across the province municipalities as pan of the review by the altering its mandate. Toronto Area. attended the meeting, from Oakville and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The government is seeking input on how The region is currently fighting to over- london to Simcoe and nearby Elmira. high More than 100 residents. developers. politi- to improve the province's land use planning turn a land use decision by the OMB last lighting just how important this issue is Hans and municipal staff met at the Kitch- systems. including what can be appealed to lanuary to open more than 1,000 hectares of across Ontario. The attendees brought a cner Memorial Auditorium last week to hash the OMB, It's also reviewing the Develop land to new development. The region's offi- range of backgrounds and experience with out their concerns and discuss ways to merit Charges Act. parkland dedication and cial plan called for just 85 hectares of new them. from municipal planners and con improve the provincial land use tribunal. section 37 of the Planning Act, which land to be made available. but developers (re-med citizens to developers and builders The review was announced last month enables munici< 5 appealed. Regional Planning Commissioner Rob and made stops in Thunder Bay (Nov 71 and palities to nego- ‘ L: In August. Home thanked the province for taking the Sault Ste. Marie (Nov. 13) before coming to Irate with a h the region also time to consult with the public on the way Kitchener. lt is scheduled to resume In developer for . accused the the OMB operates. but also urged staff to Ottawa tomorrow. in Mississauga on Dec 5 items such as : f2 (1MB of bias look outsrde the provrncial borders to find and Toronto Dec. 9. a fin r d a h l e fir L : .5: after staff other best practices. Much of the roundtahle discussion dealt housing in 5.37:“ ' ‘ Mg? learned that “if we think we've got it right in Ontario, with ways to make the quasr-iudicral board exchange for .3" 4i members of the we're kidding ourselves.” he said. more transparent. and how to make the permission to '_._‘_ 7 7‘ . 4 3.. panel were at The public has until Jan. 10 to provide mimics: costly. build In excess 1’ L ' ' - ." ' ' the same land feedback to the Ministry ofMunicipal Affairs 'Right now. that public consultation ofmninglimits. “. - to. t M ‘- r, 1‘: _. 1‘ budget training and Housing. Visit their website piece is entirely lost as part of the process,’ Almost every "min. _ W :5 £3; E34 session as the http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page10357 .ispx said James Howe. a resident of Kitchener other province 5.“. 7 . . ‘_ g R , y {13. developers’ pm for more information. u _- ‘_ . at: ' \_ 1',» " ’ '. - . °”‘r\‘t~ We," fit '2 W23“ ”g ”is , ‘ f â€". .i f ; I f . II _ {fin vii-1'»: I; 8 il' .. 1 ‘ +'m ’ I V - or ’1‘“ {3‘ ' m" ‘ ' C - ‘ ‘., .-; . ifwg by“. hm?” - . “I Inga?! 0 Eye Glasses - Sunglasses - - M .31. -. Mile use: ~ » “7°" N“ «newsman . .3 . ~ -r' ‘v . ' ‘2' . "Ii-un‘lw‘i’h‘fie wantâ€"Among“) " OSOflcontactLenses _ . , ’ - nun-M1 - lH-Ttieslhursl - "‘ " ‘ ‘ “11104-8le5 Wilma-Ratios SATURDAY m mus Minn-u: 519-141-1233 510-954-2020 fl _ .u. .,,,,.,................ .. .w.... - -.,----...-. .. _