Windsor City Councillors are advocating for residents to have more say in new developments in their neighbourhoods.
Councillor Fred Francis wants the provincial government to reintroduce a third-party appeals process when a new development is approved through the Ontario Land Tribunal.
"Allowing third-party appeals to happen at the OLT level, at the very least allow the public or members of the public that want to voice their concerns, support, or objections or additions or what not to be heard by whoever the final decision makers are," said Francis.
Developers can take a development to the Ontario Land Tribunal if a municipality denies an application and the developer believes it aligns with the provincial planning policy.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says when council decides to deny a development that was recommended by its city planners, it is very hard to defend that decision to the OLT.
That happened recently when a developer proposed five townhouses with 27 units on the Sixth Concession. Council was split on the decision even though city planners recommended approval.
"The administration couldn't find a single registered professional planner in Ontario who would take council's position and defend it in front of the Ontario Land Tribunal," said Dilkens. "That effectively means council loses by saying now and then the residents lose."
Currently, if the development is approved at the OLT, there is no appeal process.
The province of Ontario removed the appeal process at the OLT in an effort to remove barriers and red tape for development.
Windsor City Council will be sending a letter to the province asking to reintroduce the process.
"I think the landscape has changed. When they passed that rule they were trying to deal with a very huge demand for housing, accelerated by a huge amount of immigration that was coming into our country. We know that that has dialed back dramatically and so it may give the province pause to look at what they can do to help give residents a stronger voice in the decision making because they do feel left out," said Dilkens.
