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durhemregion.com PAGE A4 ♦ THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ DECEMBER 14,2005 Provincial changes welcomed in Clarington From page A1 a healthy lifestyle, and providing full communities, where people "want to live, work and invest," said the news release. The new legislation will help planners accomplish that, said Mr. Crome. "Good community design certainly certainly required more tools than we had under current legislation," he said, noting the new rules would also allow for some municipal control over architecture, something something planners could only make suggestions on before. 'It's critical for municipalities to be able to create a more humane environment," said Mr. Crome, noting it's been impossible to enforce in past. "A lot of esthetic things are legally hard to defend," he said. The new rules, if passed, would also allow municipalities the ability to stimulate community improvement, such as brownfield development, and include new building construction related to energy efficient uses within the costs of a Community Improve ment plan. As well,' it would allow upper-tier municipalities to take part in lower-tier community improvement grant or loan programs programs to stimulate private sector development. In all, the rules really help enforce many of the practices Clarington has been endeavouring endeavouring to undertake, in designing new communities and projects such as the Bowmanville west end commercial area. "It's really affirming the directions directions we've been going in," said Mr. Crome. Home builders concerned over local appeal board DURHAM - Local developers developers are worried "short-term thinking" thinking" may cloud a proposed local appeal board if changes to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) go ahead. The head of the Durham Region Home Builders' Association says councils may focus.solely on their own goals rather than the big picture set out by the Province when it comes to planning if local appeal boards are set up. "We're a little concerned about this," said Sal Ruscica. "Historically, "Historically, there's been concern with local councils and short-term thinking in terms of what they want. The local people are always going to be more concerned about what's good for their community. "We're not sure, in light of good planning, if that's the right way to g°- There are also questions around who will decide what is a minor and major planning application, Mr. Ruscica said. He stressed it is difficult to comment without 'We're a little concerned about this,' -- Sal Ruscica specific details on the changes. The OMB has long been thought to be developer-friendly, and controversial controversial projects opposed by local councils and residents have frequently been approved there. • In Durham, the village of Brook- lin is an example. The Region did not want it to be developed as quickly or as thoroughly as developers developers proposed, but lost at the OMB. Durham Region planners have pointed to a problematic clause that allows developers to immediately immediately appeal to the OMB if applications are not processed in 90 days, and have asked for more time. Mr. Ruscica said the move "may happen occasionally," but doesn't feel developers take advantage of it. "It's designed to be an impartial impartial third party," he said. "I think that's why we're so in support of it." Mr. Ruscica is in favour of proposed proposed changes to OMB members, including more training in land use planning, lengthening terms and reviewing performance. College Ontario association recognizes local collaboration Durham postsecondary postsecondary school among members to be awarded DURHAM - The collaborative collaborative efforts of Durham, Algonquin, Algonquin, Fleming, Loyalist and St. Lawrence colleges have earned the recognition of an Ontario association. ' The Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology "of Ontario is giving the Eastern Eastern Region College Committee on Human Resources Management Management its Collaborative Educators Award. The distinction acknowledges the efforts of the eastern group's members, including Durham, to ensure professional developmént needs are met at each participating participating college by sharing resources and information, providing ■ an opportunity to recognize and showcase expertise, and by reducing the duplication of effort and allowing schools to share costs. Each member college has representatives on the project planning teams- that establish flexible guidelines to adapt to each institution's needs. The awards will be presented in ■February. Present this for a FREE Workout with your Personal Coach ^ and a copy ef our Best-Selling 6obk|| ;; : Jjgj®' Total Health S ^e/sht losF' 1 ' The TRUESTARm/,: ./ Iriiestar for Women Nutrition & Fitness Centers LOSE WEIGHT THE RIGHT WAY © FREE PERSONAL COACHING '. • ' © GUARANTEED WEIGHT LOSS OR YOUR MONEY BACKt : © WEIGHT LOSS AND NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING j' © CARDIO EQUIPMENT AND CIRCUIT TRAINING PROFESSIONAL SUPPLEMENTS AND VITAMINS PROFESSIONAL GRADE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT call 310.TRUE and ix the ULTIMATE YOU wwvv.truestar.com Click on'Testimonials | Nutrition I Exercise | Vitamins | Attitude | Sleep- Bowmanville - 39 Martin Road 1 Whitby - 3050 Garden St. (at Garden & Rossland) Marlin CREATORS OF PRICE ENVY SINCE 1841 ■ . V V i i j , Watch for us Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for all your local news. 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