The Town of Newmarket is preparing to implement a new development approvals process that will speed things up at the behest of provincial mandates.
The new system presented to council today, June 19, aims to have more pre-application work, so that an application can be decided on within an expedited timeframe. The plan endorsed by council committee of the whole is meant to meet provincial rules going into effect July 1, which will give developers refunds on planning fees if a municipality does not decide within a legislated timeframe.
Mayor John Taylor said he rejects the implication of the legislation that municipalities are holding up developments. But he added that public consultation, and how much of it should be in a planning process, is at the heart of the legislated changes.
“Our desire to want to hear them (the public) out, to address their issues to try to find the answers, it’s at the crux of it,” Taylor said. “Democracy slows things down, and we’re going to have to find out as we go through this how much speed we want over democracy and vice-versa.”
The timelines from Bill 109 will require municipalities to decide on zoning bylaw applications in 90 days, and subdivisions and official plan amendments in 120 days. Some of the responsibilities from the region and conservation authority levels are also being downloaded to local municipalities. York Region has created a semi-standardized process for local municipalities to guide a development application over a few weeks.
Municipalities that fail to meet timelines must provide planning fee refunds, varying on how long a delay is, starting at 50 per cent if a deadline is missed by even one day.
Consultant David Sajecki said municipalities throughout Ontario are struggling with the matter but plan to try to comply rather than risk losing out on fees.
“My expectation is it’s likely going to result in more decisions being appealed and going to the Ontario Land Tribunal,” Sajecki said.
Newmarket will prioritize good planning over ensuring fees are kept, Taylor said, adding that it would still try to meet timelines.
“Achieving maximum fees can’t be priority number 1,” Taylor said. “Good planning is priority number 1.”
Still, Councillor Christina Bisanz expressed concern over losing statutory public input in the process.
“Community members can identify things that otherwise would be overlooked,” she said. “Public input is an important part of the planning process and ensuring there is quality planning.”
Taylor said the municipality would lean toward having more time for public input versus speeding a development through to meet legislated deadlines on a case-by-case basis.
Ensuring residents feel heard is important, Councillor Grace Simon said, but she added she is hopeful these planning changes have have a positive impact.
“We have a crisis in our province with not enough housing, and we all have to make some changes and expedite things through,” Simon said. “I hope it’s going to make a positive change for us to see these developments happen faster. Because, I know being a new councillor and watching this process, it is long.”
