Huntsville Councilors ask for a review of multi-layered planning processes

The review could lead to the elimination of duplication of planning services

Huntsville Councillor, Scott Morrison, suggested seeking a third-party review on Muskoka’s two-tiered planning system, in the January 14^th, Planning meeting.

According to the agenda, he expressed interest in “reducing expenses and timelines to make housing more affordable, through streamlining processes with upper-tier planning authorities.”

He said, “Government fees, approval timelines, and regulatory processes represent, a significant portion of housing costs.”

He added, "The province has taken steps with at approximately 20 percent of Counties, Districts, and Regions, to streamline planning approval processes, though more data is needed to assess impacts.”

He indicated that the topic warrants opening it up to see if there is interest in further discussion by District Council members “to evaluate whether changes to planning authority, processes, and authorities could improve timelines, affordability, and housing delivery, while also identifying risks and challenges.”

Morrison also emphasized that the focus is on improving the process and not about planning staff who he said has a “strong working relationship between the Town and the District and efforts under way to improve processes.” He clarified that the issue is about the “planning approval process driven by Council.”

Mayor, Nancy Alcock, expressed the issue as worth exploring, so long as it doesn’t increase workload for the Town’s Planning department.

Councillor, Dione Schumacher, showed interest as long as it won’t have a negative impact on taxpayers. She said, “If it ends up not making sense financially, if it’s going to be a big burden on the taxpayer, then no. We want affordable housing, but at what cost, right?”

Councillors also discussed considering whether there was provincial funding assistance available for the review and timing concerns about whether it’s better to get started on things now or let the next term of Council start the process.

Morrison expressed the importance of acting on it now, at least with getting the review completed, rather than waiting for a process that could be lengthy, and considering “the housing crisis is here today – it’s not waiting.”  

The agenda adds that Council agreed to bring the discussion to the District for further consideration “without committing to any decisions this term.”