Arnprior’s Manager of Community Services and Town Planner wants to shorten the timelines to get Zoning bylaw amendments and Official Plan changes out of the way.
Alix Jolicouer thinks the moves would be in everyone’s interest.
Change number one- don’t ask Council’s permission to hold a public meeting, just book it and then let elected representatives know.
That would save at least two weeks- and in many cases, longer.
Change number two- unless issues raised at a public Planning meeting are really complex or require further research, just pass the bylaw the same night the planning meeting takes place.
Jolicouer says putting the decision off would still remain Council’s choice if they so required or wished.
The Planner estimates time saved by these changes could be as much as sixty-three days.
In the case of Official Plan Amendments, these still require ratification by the County of Renfrew and may not be expedited quite as quickly.
For those looking to postpone, delay or thwart a decision, the twenty-day window of appeal remains an option.
By Rick Stow