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Moving Forward with Change
After years of advocating alongside my colleague, Kristyn-Wong Tam and local residents’ associations, the Ontario legislature voted to move forward with major changes to the planning appeals system in Toronto. Bill 139, the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 will replace the OMB with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). Significant reforms under LPAT include:
“de novo” (entirely new) hearings for the majority of land use planning appeals will be eliminated. Instead, LPAT will be true appeal body
- Tribunal will only be able to overturn appeals involving official plans and zoning bylaws, if City did not conform to provincial policies and municipal plans
- Free Local Planning Appeal Support Centre will offer guidance on Tribunal process and as well as providing planning and/or legal representation
- Secondary Plans (such as Midtown in Focus in the Yonge-Eglinton area) will be shielded from amendment applications for 2 years after approval
Current News Updates
Toronto Star: Province proposes limiting powers of Ontario Municipal Board
Review of powerful appeals body aims to give more consideration [...]
OMB: Good for developers, bad for cities?
Toronto Star. June 23, 2012 The story of the [...]
Toronto Star: Ontario Municipal Board interference in Toronto’s development needs to end
February 7, 2012 Consider it a welcome declaration of independence. [...]
The Bulletin: City committee moves to dump OMB
November 7, 2011 On the agenda for the next [...]
Free Toronto from the OMB! Motion to be debated November 8th, 2011
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and I have submitted a motion to [...]
Free Toronto From the OMB – Motion to be debated November 8th, 2011
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and I have submitted a motion to [...]
