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www.insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 14, 2 0 1 7 |6 E d it o r ia l Levelling the playing field W hen the main beneficiaries of an uneven play ing held start complaining that proposed reforms to that process will hurt their industry, then you know something is being done right. Ontario's development industry is voicing its op position to the governm ent's proposed reforms of the controversial Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) arguing it will entrench "not-in-my-backyard" atti tudes, stihe development and increase the already limited housing stock. Those sentiments ring hollow after more than a decade where developers have had what seems to be a clear path to building whatever they want despite opposition by municipalities and local residents. Any decisions by municipalities had be com e so diff cult that in some instances council lors were "planning by OMB." But the Province has introduced a proposed overhaul of the authority to actually establish an appeals board that will listen to both parties. The proposals would rename the board the Lo cal Planning Appeal Tribunal. The idea is that any appeal of a planning decision by municipalities would be based upon whether a project meets provincial policies and the m unici pality's Official Plan. It would eliminate the idea that a developer -- or, in some cases, residents -- can re-debate the planning decision at the board. The reforms would also prohibit any appeals of a municipality's Official Plan. Other much-needed changes include eliminat ing lengthy court-like hearings by establishing strict deadlines and rules for the tribunal instead of the ad hoc methods used by some chairs. Of greater interest to comm unity groups, the Province would create a public support centre to level the playing feld if an individual appeals a de cision by the municipality. Too often the contest is a David vs. Goliath hght where the developer (and sometimes the m unici pality) has all the hnancial and planning resources, while individuals are left hshing around for help. The proposed reforms to what has become a powerful, non-elected body that makes critical planning decisions that supersede the will of the municipality are desperately needed. If the Liberals' f nal reform is anywhere near what they are proposing, a stripped-down, accountable appeals board would allow municipalities and resi dents some level of comfort to defend their com munities based on proper planning principles and not at the whim of a development industry. The O akville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@ oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. "C o n n e c t e d t o y o u r C o m m u n i t y " 5046 Mainway Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classified Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 55 | Number 55 The Oakville Beaver is a division of · *metrolandmedia ·* C o n n e cte dtoy o u rco m m u n ity * Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. NEIL OLIVER Vice -President and Group Publisher of Metroland West KELLY MONTAGUE Regional General Manager DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor RIZIERO VERTOLLI L etter to th e Editor (The former) Saw-Whet (Golf Course) is gone, against the clearly expressed wishes of resi dents, and this bodes very badly for Glen Abbey Golf Course. The fight to save Saw-Whet as a recreational facility, green space and environmental gem was hard-fought. There were two overflowing public meetings, floods of emails and calls and local groups and individuals mobilized. The mayor, who campaigns for a livable Oakville and as an environmental champion, said in his inaugural speech to the new Council on Dec. 1, 2014, "We will save all the Merton Lands." Oakville residents had every reason to be lieve these words and to trust the Town would follow through with its commitment. The developer took the Town to the OMB (On Photography Director LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Business Manager R esid en tsfeel letd o w nb y T o w nan dth eO M B MARK DILLS Director of Production tario Municipal Board) for delays in processing its application and 45 local groups and individu als registered as participants to the proceeding. After initial hearings, and before any partici pants had addressed the OMB, the Town met behind closed doors and made some sort of decision about Saw-Whet. It was not specified on the agenda for the meeting and remains confidential. In the Oakville Beaver of Nov. 24, 2016, Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar stated, "The names of those present, who put forward the motion, what the motion said, what was said in debate and who voted for and against the motion was not disclosed publicly" By November, the Town and the developer had reached a settlement to address the con cerns raised and agreed to build more dwell ings than originally proposed. see Reader on p.7 MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution KIM M OSSM AN Circulation Manager O A K V I L L E Beaver. Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association I Canadian Community Newspapers Association LocalMediaassociatii Proud Official Media Sponsor For: O g2 y t/H f .C O M F t | % G O N Pud by Steve Nease i t . / A p r 1 O n ta rio P re ss C o u n c il JL \ ^ l I Defending principles to inspire public trust The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-3 4 0-19 8 1. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertise ment will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the light to categorize advertisements or decline.