Re: Conserving Long Branch – April 2016 Addendum from David Godley

A previous message from David Godley is entitled:

Conserving Long Branch (Toronto) – April 2016 update from David Godley 

The following addendum to the above-noted post is from David Godley:

Local Area Boards approved by City (Information from our MPP)

Photos by David Godley

“In 2011 when I was Councillor, Ward 5, Etobicoke-Lakeshore and Chair of the Planning and Growth Management Committee, I put forward a motion to establish a Sub­ committee of the Planning and Growth Management Committee to develop a structure, relationship framework and implementation plan for a Local Appeal Body to hear appeals of Committee of Adjustment decisions on Minor Variance and Consent Applications. I am thrilled to advise that City Council on March 31, 2016 approved the Report to establish a Local Appeal Body (LAB) for Toronto. To review the report, please click here.”

– Peter Milczyn

[Comment from David Godley:] Room for cautious optimism although it may be months before first hearing is held. Appeal fee $300.

Heritage Building Designation (Etobicoke York Community Council April 5 2016)

Intention to Designate under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act – 69 Long Branch Avenue and 24 Marina Avenue.

[Comment from David Godley:] This covers the former St Agnes Anglican Church on Long Branch Avenue and the Vicarage.

This makes it more difficult but not impossible to redevelop.

Political contributions and the OMB

Ontario’s laws are the antiquated version, where the wealthiest people and biggest corporations and unions are allowed to vastly out-influence the average voter. Globe and Mail Editorial 30 March 2016.

In his landmark study of campaign funding in Ontario from 2004 to 2011, York University political scientist Robert MacDermid found that Ontario’s three major parties raised more than $162 million, with nearly 40 per cent coming from corporations and another 5 per cent from unions. The Liberals raised a disproportionate 50 per cent of their $72 million from corporations — mostly developers and the wider development industry, followed by big banks and energy firms. Provincial Column by M R Cohn, Toronto Star 31 3 16.

Unpublished letter to the Editor, Toronto Star

Dear Sir,

Thank you Toronto Star for helping the Ontario Government with transparency on political funding.

The revelations have the optics of corruption rather than greasing the wheels of democracy.

It is now easier to understand how the Ontario Municipal Board has survived in its current form.
The Building Industry is known to have delayed a review of the OMB.

The OMB only give credence to the rich and powerful.

The general public have no real say in land use matters affecting them since it costs around $20,000 to $30,000 to be an effective party to a hearing.

The OMB has often ruled in contradiction to the intent of the Official Plan in Toronto.

The Official Plan calls for beautiful and engaging neighbourhoods.

The OMB has been trashing our neighbourhoods and making dubious decisions about other matters Province-wide.

Your truly, David Godley

[End of text]

[Comment from David Godley:] More criticism of OMB in Toronto Star Letters today [April 3, 2016].