Valley
12-13-2005, 08:22 PM
As the province reforms the Ontario Municipal Board it raises the question of whether Kingston is ready for such changes (see article below). Our new Official Plan is not scheduled to be completed for almost five years. In the interim, even some of the foundation studies for the plan, such as the Urban Growth Study, seem to be under attack.
Are Cities ready to grow up?
Dec. 13, 2005. 07:47 AM
CHRISTOPHER HUME Toronto Star
Now we'll find out just how much of a problem the Ontario Municipal Board really is.
Changes announced yesterday by Municipal Affairs Minister John Gerretsen would shift the balance of development power away from the dreaded OMB in favour of cities and towns.
Specifically, the legislation would return the OMB to its original role as a quasi-judicial appeal tribunal and empower municipal politicians and planners.
It would also allow cities to establish local appeal bodies and design review panels. This, in turn, would mean local officials could demand — and get — more sustainable, higher density and better quality development. The idea is to give cities and towns more control over their own destinies.
These changes had to happen, but on the other hand, growing up can be painful. The effect of keeping Ontario's (and Canada's) cities powerless has been infantilizing; now, finally, they will have to mature.
The process won't be easy. It may be that Gerretsen has delivered development out of the frying pan and into the fire. But if Toronto is ever to become a big city, it must start to behave like one.
Left to their own devices, local politicians would prefer the situation to be left as it is; a city divided into 44 wards each with its own boss. The deal on council is that I vote your way and in return you vote mine.
You don't have to look too hard to find examples of worthy projects that were turned down by council because the local councillor was only interested in pandering to his or her constituents' baser instincts.
The amendments anticipate this; Ontario municipalities will have five years to get their official plans in order, and a further three to bring their zoning regulations into compliance.
But if Toronto's case is any example, that won't be as easy as it sounds; council here passed the official plan almost three years ago. It has been at the OMB ever since. More than 50 appeals remain unheard.
As Gerretsen rightly argued, what's required is nothing less than a new understanding of development and civic governance. The two go hand-in-hand. One won't work without the other.
"We want to give Ontario municipalities more power," Gerretsen told a news conference yesterday. "And a greater voice to citizens."
What's needed, he said, is a "culture change" in the way councils work.
"I've been waiting 32 years for these changes," enthused Toronto's former chief planner, Paul Bedford. "But a new governance model for council will be crucial."
Even Ajax mayor, Steve Parish, who has railed against councillors being in the pockets of developers, approved of Gerretsen's reforms.
"I think it will encourage councils to behave more responsibly," he said.
"Will it eliminate bad decisions? No."
The "big thing," Parish insists, is that developers will have to file "complete applications" before the approval process can begin. As it is, developers now are free to submit plans for one proposal then build another.
"For so long, the main issue has been land use," Parish noted. "These changes will give higher status to urban design and the streetscape."
Land use planning, the basis of growth for half a century, dates from a time when experts believed people should live in one place, and work and play in others. This is what made suburban development — sprawl — possible.
By contrast, the planners' new mantra is mixed-use. And now the province will insist that they look at sustainability, density as well as architectural excellence.
These changes to the Planning Act, the City of Toronto Act and the Municipal Act form part of a larger effort to redraw the civic landscape on Ontario. The McGuinty Liberals have grasped the critical role cities play in 21st-century Canada. Though their actions won't go far enough for some, many still believe —understandably — that politicians should have no direct say in approving development.
Beware what you wish for, goes the old adage, it might come true. That's the position in which Ontario's municipalities will soon find themselves. At last, they have what they've been demanding for ages.
Will they be able to handle it?
Christopher Hume can be reached at chume@thestar.ca
Are Cities ready to grow up?
Dec. 13, 2005. 07:47 AM
CHRISTOPHER HUME Toronto Star
Now we'll find out just how much of a problem the Ontario Municipal Board really is.
Changes announced yesterday by Municipal Affairs Minister John Gerretsen would shift the balance of development power away from the dreaded OMB in favour of cities and towns.
Specifically, the legislation would return the OMB to its original role as a quasi-judicial appeal tribunal and empower municipal politicians and planners.
It would also allow cities to establish local appeal bodies and design review panels. This, in turn, would mean local officials could demand — and get — more sustainable, higher density and better quality development. The idea is to give cities and towns more control over their own destinies.
These changes had to happen, but on the other hand, growing up can be painful. The effect of keeping Ontario's (and Canada's) cities powerless has been infantilizing; now, finally, they will have to mature.
The process won't be easy. It may be that Gerretsen has delivered development out of the frying pan and into the fire. But if Toronto is ever to become a big city, it must start to behave like one.
Left to their own devices, local politicians would prefer the situation to be left as it is; a city divided into 44 wards each with its own boss. The deal on council is that I vote your way and in return you vote mine.
You don't have to look too hard to find examples of worthy projects that were turned down by council because the local councillor was only interested in pandering to his or her constituents' baser instincts.
The amendments anticipate this; Ontario municipalities will have five years to get their official plans in order, and a further three to bring their zoning regulations into compliance.
But if Toronto's case is any example, that won't be as easy as it sounds; council here passed the official plan almost three years ago. It has been at the OMB ever since. More than 50 appeals remain unheard.
As Gerretsen rightly argued, what's required is nothing less than a new understanding of development and civic governance. The two go hand-in-hand. One won't work without the other.
"We want to give Ontario municipalities more power," Gerretsen told a news conference yesterday. "And a greater voice to citizens."
What's needed, he said, is a "culture change" in the way councils work.
"I've been waiting 32 years for these changes," enthused Toronto's former chief planner, Paul Bedford. "But a new governance model for council will be crucial."
Even Ajax mayor, Steve Parish, who has railed against councillors being in the pockets of developers, approved of Gerretsen's reforms.
"I think it will encourage councils to behave more responsibly," he said.
"Will it eliminate bad decisions? No."
The "big thing," Parish insists, is that developers will have to file "complete applications" before the approval process can begin. As it is, developers now are free to submit plans for one proposal then build another.
"For so long, the main issue has been land use," Parish noted. "These changes will give higher status to urban design and the streetscape."
Land use planning, the basis of growth for half a century, dates from a time when experts believed people should live in one place, and work and play in others. This is what made suburban development — sprawl — possible.
By contrast, the planners' new mantra is mixed-use. And now the province will insist that they look at sustainability, density as well as architectural excellence.
These changes to the Planning Act, the City of Toronto Act and the Municipal Act form part of a larger effort to redraw the civic landscape on Ontario. The McGuinty Liberals have grasped the critical role cities play in 21st-century Canada. Though their actions won't go far enough for some, many still believe —understandably — that politicians should have no direct say in approving development.
Beware what you wish for, goes the old adage, it might come true. That's the position in which Ontario's municipalities will soon find themselves. At last, they have what they've been demanding for ages.
Will they be able to handle it?
Christopher Hume can be reached at chume@thestar.ca