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<TITLE>Landuse planning and OMB review workshop in KW Nov 14</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>At our last meeting we discussed the provincial government’s statement that it would be reviewing the landuse planning and appeal process, which includes the OMB. Yesterday, the Minister of Municipalities and Housing announced the details. This is the link to the Ministry site on this: <a href="http://news.ontario.ca/mah/en/2013/10/province-reviewing-municipal-planning.html">http://news.ontario.ca/mah/en/2013/10/province-reviewing-municipal-planning.html</a><BR>
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<B>The government will be receiving comments until January 10. They also are holding a workshop in KW from 6-9:30 on Thursday November 14. </B>This will be a workshop with breakout groups. See <a href="http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page10361.aspx">http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page10361.aspx</a> for the agenda. I have attached the discussion document, which lists 17 questions that they will be focussing on during the workshops.<BR>
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<B>I propose that we dedicate between at least an hour of our GREN meeting on November 6 to preparation for the workshop for the following week. If you agree, I will send out a notice to our whole GREN list right away to encourage registration for the government workshop and to encourage GREN people to come to our November 6 meeting. Let me know right away whether you agree with this approach.<BR>
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Kevin, do you know if the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance is still planning a workshop on this matter? If so, have they set a date and location yet?<BR>
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John<BR>
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These are the questions that the Ministry says it is currently considering making changes on and not considering making changes on:<BR>
“We want to hear your suggestions on:<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><UL><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>how we can improve the province’s land use planning systems, including what can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board <<a href="http://www.omb.gov.on.ca/english/home.html">http://www.omb.gov.on.ca/english/home.html</a>> (OMB)
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>the Development Charges Act <<a href="http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_97d27_e.htm">http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_97d27_e.htm</a>>
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>parkland dedication <<a href="http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p13_e.htm#BK75">http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p13_e.htm#BK75</a>>
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>section 37 <<a href="http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p13_e.htm#BK56">http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p13_e.htm#BK56</a>> of the Planning Act, which enables a municipality to negotiate with a developer for items such as affordable housing in exchange for permission for the developer to build in excess of zoning limits<BR>
</SPAN></FONT></UL><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Please note that, while we are interested in hearing your views, at this time we are not considering recommendations that would result in a complete overhaul of the Planning Act <<a href="http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p13_e.htm">http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p13_e.htm</a>> . More specifically, this consultation will not discuss or consider: <BR>
</SPAN></FONT><UL><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>eliminating or changing the OMB’s operations, practices and procedures
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>removing or restricting the provincial government’s approval role and ability to intervene in matters
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>removing municipal flexibility in addressing local priorities
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>changing the “growth pays for growth” principle of development charges
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>education development charges and the development charges appeal system
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>other fees and taxes and matters involving other legislation, unless housekeeping changes are needed.”<BR>
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-- <BR>
John Jackson<BR>
17 Major Street<BR>
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4R1<BR>
519-744-7503<BR>
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