Planning process problems remain unsolved
RE: NIAGARA REGION PLANNING COMMISSIONER SAYS PROVINCE’S HOUSING LAWS ARE BEING REINVENTED, MAY 17
The OMB was dissolved because the record showed quite clearly that the board ruled in favour of developers in more than 90 per cent of its hearings.
It never mattered whether or not a local citizens’ group had a credible planning argument or not, in nine-out-of-10 cases their concerns were ignored. So far, the OMB’s replacement, the LPAT, have proved to be equally pro-development.
The real problem is much closer to home, it is town hall planners who deal directly with developers to find variances and amendments to ignore and bypass any existing planning policies in order to approve development.
And the bigger problem is elected councils who ignore their responsibilities as planning authorities because they are scared to question or oppose the recommendations of their planners.
Affordable housing is both a distraction and a myth. As long as the development lobby rules, with the full support of planners, profit is the only motive.
The only way truly affordable housing can be built is as tax subsidized housing.
Andrew Watts
Wainfleet