Essex Mayor Ron McDermott feels a municipal committee is undermining council's authority.
The committee of adjustment is allowed to grant a minor variance of up to 750 sq ft for development applications.
But McDermott says the committee recently voted to approve a minor variance of 3,300 sq ft. "They have the power to do what they want, whether it's right or wrong and we can't do anything about it other than send it to the Ontario Municipal Board," says McDermott. "It shouldn't be. This body is elected by the people. We're the ones who should have the final say and we don't."
The only way to appeal the committee's decision is through the Ontario Municipal Board, but that motion was defeated by council 4-3.
