OMB is not working as it should

Re Local appeals body would be a pricey alternative to OMB, Homes and Condos April 12 Bryan Tuckey, who represents the development industry, does a good job of describing how the Ontario Municipal Board should work. Unfortunately this is not the reality.

Decisions are inconsistent (and therefore unfair) to the point that the greatest factor in approval or denial seems to be which OMB officer chairs the hearing.

Different interpretations are given on even simple matters such as Official Plan conformity to provincial policies. Citizens’ views are often given little weight compared to the development experts who depend on the industry to pay their fees. Citizens find the formal, confrontational hearings intimidating and often have few resources; yet they are the ones impacted.

In Waterloo Region the OMB has encouraged suburban sprawl, which both the municipality and province are appealing to law courts. The complaints system also does not work, as I know from personal experience as a municipal planner for over 40 years.

A local appeal board would be better unless the OMB considerably improves its performance. The money from the reduced workload of the OMB could be downloaded to the municipality and the appeal fee could remain $125.

David Godley, Toronto