HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-18-015 - OPA Approval Authority ImplicationsREPORT TO: Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 9, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. 7319
PREPARED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. 7319
WARD(S) INVOLVED: City Wide
DATE OF REPORT: March 7, 2018
REPORT NO.: CSD-18-015
SUBJECT: IMPLICATIONS OF OBTAINING APPROVAL AUTHORITY
FOR
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RECOMMENDATION:
For Information
BACKGROUND:
This report is in follow up to report CSD-16-053 which recommended pursuing approval
to report back on the
feasibility and implications.
REPORT:
The changes to the process would be relatively minor. Currently, once official plan
amendments are adopted by Kitchener City Council they are forwarded to the Region
for approval. The Region issues notices of decision and processes tribunal appeals.
Regional approvals are often issued promptly but they can take up to 180 days. The
Region can also request modifications which may require the consent of Kitchener City
Council which can add time to the approval process.
If the City of Kitchener were delegated approval authority, Legislative Services staff
would issue notices of decision and process tribunal appeals. In many respects the
process would be similar to the processing of zoning by-law amendments.
Legislative Services staff advise that work levels would be about the same. The
workload associated with issuing notices of decision and processing appeals would
replace the work associated with preparing and submitting official plan amendment
packages to the Region of Waterloo, and coordinating the communication on Regional
decisions.
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in any material way. As with all
processes changes, should the City of Kitchener obtain this approval authority, staff
from both divisions would monitor workload impacts and report any issues. The largest
beneficiaries would be applicants who would deal with fewer approval bodies and have
more opportunity to coordinate the timing of multiple development approvals.
The biggest hurdle remains that the relevant regulation under the Planning Act (O.
Reg.699/98) does not give the Region of Waterloo the authority to delegate this
approval authority. The Region remains committed to engaging the Province along with
area municipalities in order to explore the opportunity to have this regulation amended.
It is anticipated that the process to change the regulation would take some time given
agenda. Council will be advised of any progress.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This initiative supports
delivery of Effective and Efficient City Services, especially priority 5.2 which is excerpted
below:
Improve the design and delivery of city services so that they provide what
citizens want in the most reliable, convenient and cost-efficient way.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This initiative is expected to be cost/revenue neutral to the municipality. Customers
doing business with the City are expected to realise efficiencies from the streamlined
approval process.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
advance of the council / committee meeting.
CONSULT The Legislative Services Division was consulted regarding the operational
implications. The Region and other area municipalities were consulted in order to
determine the best way to move forward together.
COLLABORATE Should the Government of Ontario decide to amend the relevant
regulation (O. Reg. 699/98) collaboration with the Region of Waterloo will be required to
move forward with this initiative.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO (Community Services)
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