Sent: November 19, 2012
Attn: Councillor Peter Milczyn
Chair, Subcommittee on Establishment of Local Appeal Body
c/o City Clerk: pgmc@toronto.ca
Re: Mimico Residents Association comments on Establishment of Local Appeal Body
To the Subcommittee on Establishment of Local Appeal Body,
The Mimico Residents Association (MRA) hopes that the formation of a Local Appeal Body will support City Planning frameworks and policies, ensuring that approved development applications are appropriate to the infrastructure and built form of the surrounding area, and providing opportunities for community consultation on special allowances in height and density.
The extremely tall and high density building developments in the Humber Bay Shores area were approved by the OMB without community consultation, and far exceeded the guidelines established in the Secondary Plan for that area. There was a 24 storey guidance in the Secondary Plan which resulted in much higher development applications being approved (40 – 60+ storeys).
The MRA, on behalf of local residents, is concerned that Mimico’s Secondary Plan will be similarly nullified by the OMB, and that height “restrictions” will continue to be exceeded in development applications, and exceptions routinely granted by the OMB without community consultation.
If the Local Appeal Body reduces or replaces the powers of the Ontario Municipal Board and respects the wishes of local residents, the MRA would support the formation of such a body.
Sincerely,
Kyra Trainor, President
Mimico Residents Association
CC: Laurel Broten, MPP Etobicoke-Lakeshore
CC: Rob Ford – Mayor, City of Toronto
CC: Ward 6 Councillor Mark Grimes