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Priority to Improve the Planning Process
Challenges
The primary challenge to this priority is the fact that the City’s Official Plan has not yet been officially approved, even though it was presented to City Council in 2002. Ongoing appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) have held up formal approval of the Plan. In the interim a number of proposed modifications have been approved by City Council and it is likely most of these would bring a number of negotiated appeal settlements to the OMB.
The Plan, which outlines a collective vision for the City over the next 30 years, will be critical to ensuring the protection of Toronto’s neighbourhoods while strategically managing future growth in ways that can benefit the city the most.
During the City’s City of Toronto Act consultations, participants were clear about their concern about the role the Ontario Municipal Board plays in urban planning decisions. Many people felt the Board should be eliminated. Some felt reforms should include giving the City control of design issues, limiting OMB powers, limiting what could be appealed to the OMB and increasing the transparency and accountability of the OMB. Most supported Toronto's autonomy over urban planning decisions and felt these decisions should be based on an Official Plan, not influenced by lobbyist or individual councillors and must maintain both local and city-wide perspectives.
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