Transparency in Urban Planning

Urban planning impacts homeowners in a very direct and personal way. Making discussion and debate easily accessible to all residents will improve urban planning and decision-making. We have the electronic tools to bring clarity and openness to urban planning and we should start using them.

To obtain detailed information residents must currently call the Committee of Adjustment directly and to view any supporting information they must visit the offices of the Committee at Constellation Drive. Although the City has in place a public consultation process, a resident, if seeking detailed information or other information such as Traffic Impact, servicing or market studies, must contact the planners directly and arrange to have this information made available to them.

During the 2007 budget deliberations, I received Council support for my proposal to post planning applications and supporting documentation on the City's web site for greater public access. Committee of Adjustment information, site plans and related applications will be posted on the web site by the end 2008, with zoning and official plan amendments introduced by 2009.

Transparency and thoughtful community input improves urban planning and our city as a whole. Bringing convenient information to the public earlier in the process will provide interested parties with instant access so they can play a stronger role in the planning process.

The Development Application Search tool is now available: http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/home.jsf?lang=en

Transparency in Urban Planning

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