On June 6, 2019, the Province of Ontario passed Bill 108, The More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019.
The More Homes, More Choice Act amends 13 different pieces of legislation including:
- Development Charges Act
- Ontario Heritage Act
- Planning Act
It will seriously impact the overall livability of Oakville by changing:
- Land use planning processes
- Protection of endangered species
- Financing of infrastructure projects
- Conservation of local heritage
For more information, read the town's staff report (item 3) that Town Council endorsed on May 27, 2019. It outlines the town’s position on the province’s proposed changes.
More Homes, More Choice Act significant changes
Collecting development charges to have growth pay for growth
Development charges are fees collected by municipalities on new developments to pay for services that support population growth. Prior to the Act, Oakville could charge for “hard” services (roads, water infrastructure) and “soft” services (libraries, community centres, arenas, playgrounds, or sports fields).
Funds for libraries, community centres, arenas, playgrounds, or sports fields are no longer collected by development charges.
Through Bill 108 funding for “soft” services are no longer eligible collected through development charges. This significantly reduces Oakville’s ability to make growth pay for growth.
Reviewing development applications by the town and at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT)
The act gives the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) the power to overturn your elected municipal council’s planning decisions. The LPAT decides the “best planning outcome” in development disputes in Oakville instead of sending the matter back to Town Council for a new decision.
It shortens timelines for approving planning and development applications. The Act limits the time residents have to check documents and offer comment.
Review periods are now:
- Official plans: 120 days (down 90 days; from 210 days)
- Zoning bylaws: 90 days (down 60 days; from 150)
- Subdivision plans: 120 days (down 60 days; from 180)
Protecting future parks and green-space
Bill 108 removes the town’s ability to set our own requirements for how much new parkland developers must include as part of new development sites and neighbourhoods.
Bill 108 takes away the town’s ability to plan for livable and complete communities.
It limits the town’s ability to create functional parks that meet all residents’ needs as Oakville grows.
Bill 108 takes away the town’s ability to plan for livable and complete communities.
Conserving heritage properties that make Oakville unique
Bill 108 changes the appeal process for heritage designations. The Act contributes to the town’s inability to work with a landowner to find the best solution to conserve our heritage properties.
Appeals now go to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). The tribunal's decisions are binding. Before, the Conservation Review Board made recommendations that were not binding.
The Act puts the cost of growth even more on you the taxpayer.
To say that there is lots happening on the governance front is a massive understatement.
The province passed Bill 108 in 30 days without regulations. The Act puts the cost of growth even more on you the taxpayer.
We urge you to consider the impact the 13 separate changes in Bill 108 will have, on what you value.
As always you should let Stephen Crawford MPP Oakville and Premier Doug Ford know your views!
Publisher's Addition to Post
OakvilleNews.Org's articles about "More Homes, More Choice Act"
- Bill 108 Addresses Ontario's Housing Crisis - Stephen Crawford MP Oakville
- Proposed More Homes, More Choice Act's Negative Implications - Town of Oakville