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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-25-81 CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D.N, SMITH, M.C.I.P., Director HAMPTON,ONTARIO LOB 1 JO TEL.(416)263-2231 REPORT TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 1981. REPORT NO. : P-25-81 SUBJECT: Meetings in connection with the "Planning Process" BACKGROUND: On October 9, 1980, the Planning and Development Committee passed the following resolution (#PD 337-80) : "That the Director prepare a report on a policy for public meetings in connection with the planning process." Further to the above, it has been the practice of the Planning and Development Committee to convene public meetings on an essentially "ad-hoc" basis. The Planning and Development Committee has requested staff to convene public meetings in instances where Councillors have received expressions of interest or concern from potentially affected persons. In some instances, the Committee has requested staff to convene public meetings because of the magnitude or importance of an item before the Committee, d.g. the Courtice Urban Area Plan. In other situations r� 2 - staff have recommended that a public meeting be convened as expressions of concern have been made directly to staff. Currently, municipalities are required under Section 12(1) (b) of The Planning Act and through Section 17(1) of the Act to convene public meetings in respect of Official Plans and Official Plan Amendments and to "publish information for the purpose of obtaining the participation and co-operation of the inhabitants of the planning area in determining the solution of problems or matters affecting the development of the planning area". This requirement is repeated under Section 61(1) (b) of The Regional Municipality of Durham Act, 1973 in respect of the preparation of District Plans. Municipalities are required to give notice of an application to the Ontario Municipal Board for approval of a restricted area by-law or amendment under Section 35(11) of the Planning Act. Pursuant to regulations made under the Municipal Board Act all property owners within 400 feet of the property being rezoned receive notice of the municipal by-law. Any person may object to the approval of the by-law within 21 days of the date of notice. There is no requirement to convene a public meeting. In respect of the approval of subdivision plans, the Minister of Housing may confer with the officials of municipalities and Ministries of the public service, commissions, authorities and any others who may be concerned (Section 33(3) of The Planning Act) but is not required to convene a public meeting. A municipality is not required under Section 33 of The Planning Act to convene a public meeting in respect of a subdi- vision plan. As a matter of practice, municipalities approve subdivisions on the condition that they be appropriately zoned. Any zoning by-law would be subject to the procedure noted above. 3 - In respect of severances, the Regional Land Division Committee requires that a sign be posted on a property subject of a severance application. The decision of the Land Division Committee may be appealed within 21 days of the decision. In respect of the Committee of Adjustment, persons within 200 feet of the subject property are notified of the appli- cations. The decision of the Committee may be appealed within 21 days of the decision. In other municipalities, procedures for convening public meetings or providing notice of changes in land use, vary widely. In some municipalities the proponents of Official Plan and Zoning amendments are required to erect signs on a property under application. This requirement may also be completed with newspaper advertisements, letters of notification and/or the advertisement of the proposal for review at a public meeting. There does not appear to be a standard approach for notifying the public of changes in the status of property. COMMENT: Planning and Development Committee resolution PD-337-80 is interpreted by staff as addressing the larger issue of "public par- ticipation in the planning process". There is a large body of literature related to public participation in planning, dealing with the need and/or desirability of public involvement through to the means of obtaining effective citizen input. Suffice it to say that there are many divergent opinions on the subject, perhaps finding their origins in different political philosophies. It is also perhaps fair comment to say that the desirability of public participation has long been recognized in the planning process - 4 - in Ontario, i.e. the Planning Act has evolved to allow property owners rights of notification and appeal. Planning staff feel that generally speaking, public participation in planning is highly desirable and should be encouraged, as much as possible. However, public participation is time consuming, can involve the expenditure of money with little or no result, and with a staff of three trained planners is necessarily limited. Staff feel that the present practice of recommending public meetings and/or notifying property owners as the circumstances warrant, is the most practicable and should not be changed. Staff note that money has been included in the Department's 1981 Budget Submission for regular advertising of meetings and/or upcoming items. Staff also note that there is a standard format for public meetings as prepared by planning staff in 1979, (copy attached for information) . RECOMMENDATION: 1. That this report be received for information and discussion. Respectfully submitted, DNS:lb D. N. Smith, M.C.I.P. January 14, 1981 Director of Planning PUBLIC MEETINGS FORMAT I Notice of-Meeting (a) Appropriate newspaper advertisements. (b) Public displays of material (as necessary) . (c) Mail-out of Notice (as necessary) . II Public Meeting (a) To be convened evenings, when possible. (b) To be convened "on location" where and when possible. Staff to make arrangements and to setup rooms. (a) To be prepared by staff for members of Council or Committee. To be discussed with staff prior to meeting as may be appropriate. Agenda to be similar to following outline: 1. Introducto Ky Remarks - by Mayor or Committee Chair- person depending on whether meeting is authorized by Council or Committee. (a) Introductory remarks to in- clude reference to; agenda, allotted time for meeting and purpose of meeting. Mayor or Committee chairperson to act as chairperson of meeting and introduce staff. 2. Staff Presentation - to be made by Department Head or — delegate to include history of subject, highlights of subject matter, outline of necessary procedures and avenues of appeal, as may be relevant. Copies of material to be available to members of public (budget permitting) . (Staff to prepare necessary displays and other materials as appropriate.) 3. juestions/Conunents from Public - Committee secretary to record name and address of speakers. Meeting chairperson to recognize speakers. Question/comment period to be limited to a maximum of one hour. Further questions/comments to be sub- mitted in writing for response by staff. . .(� 4. Closing Remarks - By Meeting chairperson. Short summary of meeting as may be appropriate. Thanks to public for interest.