Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas is calling for the Ontario Land Tribunal to be scrapped, in the wake of the approval of the townhouse development near the McKenzie Marsh.
“You want to cut red tape? You want to get shovels in the ground? Get rid of the tribunal,” said Mrakas, speaking to AuroraToday after the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference last week.
“There is a lot of backlog at the tribunal, and the tribunal, as we all know, it’s essentially a little bit more geared toward the development industry, more toward the applicant, instead of the municipality,” he said. “If you're able to eliminate that tribunal, I think you'll start to see more development happening that is appropriate, that fits within the official plans of each of the individualized communities and more development that communities support.”
Mrakas’ comments come after the town agreed to a settlement with the developer behind a 45-unit townhouse development near the McKenzie Marsh at 65 St. John’s Sideroad, which council voted against last January. The developer then filed an appeal with the OLT. Ultimately, the OLT approved the settlement in a hearing on Aug. 20.
Mrakas has made similar calls in the past, adding he’s discussed the matter with the premier and housing minister, but added, “They haven't said one way or the other” if they’re considering it.
“I appreciate the things that they're doing, and the direction that they're moving because it seems that they're moving more toward having local municipalities have that authority to uphold their official plan, which I think is a great thing for all our municipalities, and for all our residents."
Mrakas was elected to the organization’s board of directors during its annual conference in Ottawa last week. During his term, the Aurora mayor said he plans to call for a restructuring of infrastructure funding to municipalities, as well as seek “more autonomy” for municipalities in planning development.
