Windsor City Councillors are pushing for residents to have a bigger role in upcoming developments in their areas.
Councillor Fred Francis is urging the provincial government to bring back a third-party appeal process when new projects get approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal.
“Allowing third-party appeals to happen at the OLT level, at the very least allow the public or members of the public that want to voice their concerns, support, or objections or additions or what not to be heard by whoever the final decision makers are,” said Francis.
Developers can take a project to the Ontario Land Tribunal if a city denies an application and they believe it meets provincial planning policies.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens points out that when council decides against a development recommended by city planners, it’s tough to justify that choice to the OLT.
This was evident recently when a developer wanted to build five townhouses with 27 units on Sixth Concession. The council had mixed opinions even though city planners suggested approval.
“The administration couldn’t find a single registered professional planner in Ontario who would take council’s position and defend it in front of the Ontario Land Tribunal,” said Dilkens. “That effectively means council loses by saying now and then the residents lose.”
Right now, if OLT approves a development, there’s no way to appeal that decision.
The province of Ontario took away this appeal process at the OLT aiming to cut down on obstacles and red tape for development projects.
The Windsor City Council plans to send a letter to the province asking them to reinstate this process.
“I think the landscape has changed. When they passed that rule they were trying to deal with a very huge demand for housing, accelerated by a huge amount of immigration that was coming into our country. We know that that has dialed back dramatically and so it may give the province pause to look at what they can do to help give residents a stronger voice in the decision making because they do feel left out,” said Dilkens.
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