[ad_1]
Experts in charge of planning in cities across Ontario say they want a seat at the table as the Ford government finalizes its controversial new bill to speed up the construction of new homes.
Ontario’s Regional Planning Commissioners said in a report released this week that they have identified 21 “major gaps” in Ontario’s housing delivery pipeline. Addressing those problems should be at the heart of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, said group chairman Thom Hunt.
And while Premier Doug Ford’s goal to build 1.5 million homes over the next decade is laudable, planners across Ontario must be part of that process, he added.
“What we’re trying to say in our report is that if you want to get there, we need to address some of the gaps that we’ve identified,” he said.
The report from the planners drilled down on problems with building growth and financing, ensuring affordable housing is completed, and creating partnerships between governments, developers and municipalities.
The report warns that Bill 23 could unleash “major unintended consequences” if it is passed into law in its current state.
‘Growth must pay for growth’
The bill would increase the financial burden on taxpayers, reducing their ability to create new parks and other open space, the report said.
Hunt said one of the gaps identified in the report is the looming question of developers offering waivers or freezes on development charges. Without those payments, communities would struggle to build sewers, sidewalks and roads that serve new homes, he said.
“Development charges are the backbone of how you get complete communities,” Hunt said.
“Growth must pay for growth.”
The legislation was introduced by the province last month to streamline development and ensure more homes are built across Ontario.
But some critics say parts of the bill that propose waiving or freezing some development charges will cost Ontario municipalities billions, while other clauses put at risk the environmental protections and designated heritage sites.
Hunt said if planners were at the table with the province, they could help address the problem and set achievable goals to help meet housing targets.
“Let’s collaborate on this, we’re not going to achieve this in a year, right? 10 years is a good target,” he said.
Toronto council asks to pause housing bill
In Toronto this week, city councilors passed a motion asking the province to amend the law and pause the bill until the end of January so the government can consult the public, consider alternatives and review the its effects.
The city estimates it will lose an estimated $230 million a year in development fees, community benefit fees and parkland fees if the bill passes.
Mayor John Tory said the request has been formally sent to the province and he continues to discuss the matter with officials at Queen’s Park.
“I just think, when push comes to shove, most people can’t believe that money that was intended for the city to build the necessary infrastructure … and the money is left in the pockets of developers and not available to the city to build the kinds of things we need,” Tory said Friday.
A spokesperson from Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said the province needs to move forward with Bill 23 to address Ontario’s housing crisis.
In a written statement, Victoria Podbielski said the bill would eliminate development charges for affordable and non-profit housing, not all new builds.
“To be clear, this does not mean that municipalities will not be able to generate revenue from new home construction, it means that home ownership will not continue to be further out of the reach of Ontarians due to increased fees. that adds thousands to the price of a home.”
[ad_2]
Source link
