1. There is nothing wrong with the OMB as a concept – that councils and regions can and do get it wrong because often they have too much of an eye on short term vote getting. The problem is when the current OMB doesn’t recognise when municipalities get it right.

   While you might feel we can trust the incumbents in Toronto to do the right thing (I don’t entirely share your confidence but I see where you’re coming from) the ongoing shenanigans in Durham show the need for some oversight. Development in Ontario is a serious issue economically, socially and environmentally and we can’t afford for elected councillors with no required expertise in planning to have the only say.

   The OMB as currently constituted is not the answer but it’s difficult to find a process that is when developers pump so much money into provincial and municipal politics. We should try harder to find one rather than give free rein to those who shout the loudest without retaining the “who pays most” status quo.

   Going to a “purely democratic” system will inevitably slow intensification in Toronto, increasing the price of the near-static housing stock and push poorer residents out into the 905, creating more and more sprawl.

   Posted by Mark Dowling  on  01/16  at  11:13 AM
3. What Mark said, with a slight nod to a specific aspect of this controversy, the status of 48 Abell, that I happen to have the facts (yes, those boring pedantic things) about.
   1. The work/live units now in place violate the same laws we rely on to ensure orderly development, health, safety, fire coverage, and energy consumption standards.
   2. The plan for replacing 48 Abell involves an affordable housing proposal. Active 18 claims that the proposed affordable units proposed will only replace 80 now in 48 Abell, but according to their site, St. Clare's Multifaith Housing plans 199 affordable units for the site.
   3. At least one source calls the affordable status of the spaces at 48 Abell into question.
   
   
   Posted by John Spragge  on  {comment_date format=’%m/%d’}  at  {comment_date format=’%h:%i %A’}
Posted by John Spragge  on  01/17  at  12:42 AM

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