Independent Appeal Function
The Municipal Board, as a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal independent of government direction, will improve the planning appeal process.
Theme Status Summary:
· Total Planned Actions: 6
· Completed: 0
· Underway: 3
· Upcoming: 3
· Future: 0
Municipal Board Modernization – Underway
Action: Using a phased approach, support The Municipal Board to take steps to modernize, including:
· by dedicating project management resources
· publishing decisions electronically
· enabling digital submissions and electronic correspondence
Underway – What’s New: In Spring 2025, the Department assigned a staff member with specialized project management experience to help support The Municipal Board.
Legislative Changes to Improve Planning Appeals – Underway
Action: Using a phased approach, make changes to legislation to improve planning appeals to The Municipal Board, including standardizing appeal processes and refining scope of planning appeals
Underway – What’s New: The Department is undertaking detailed research on how to structure planning appeal and referral hearings.
Adopt Planning Appeal and Planning Referral Rules – Upcoming
Action: Support The Municipal Board to adopt updated Planning Appeal Rules and Planning Referral Rules including processes to conduct case management and dismiss appeals
Municipal Board Fee Structure – Upcoming
Action: Support The Municipal Board to review its fee structure and clarify guidelines for the assignment of costs
Public Objections in the Planning Process – Upcoming
Action: Clarify the role, scope and timing of public objections in the planning process
Municipal Board Staffing and Resource Needs – Underway
Action: Support The Municipal Board in its review of staffing requirements and resource needs to effectively manage planning appeals
Underway – What’s New: The Department is working with The Municipal Board to help them grow their capacity.
This webpage was written with the help of Microsoft Copilot.
