One of Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley's wishes has come true.
The Ontario Municipal Board has been exterminated and replaced with the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT).
"Personally, I always thought the OMB should be eliminated," says Bradley. "Ontario is the only jurisdiction in North America that has an appeal board above the decisions of local government. I welcome the fact that this will bring more accountability to the decisions of councils on planning issues, taking into account the local response to zoning applications."
Bill 139 stipulates that councils must now conform to official plans and provincial policy directions instead of bending the rules.
Proponents say the new Tribunal effectively puts city building decisions back in the hands of municipalities and out of the hands of corporations.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley doesn't know if an impending hearing regarding Sifton Properties' appeal of a previous OMB Ruling regarding the development of lands at Modeland Rd. and Michigan Ave.
An eight-day hearing is set to begin January 8 if a settlement isn't reached before then.
