Item - 2021.PH23.13

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the City Manager report to the Planning and Housing Committee by the first quarter of 2022 on amending the Fees, Licenses and Charges By-law to incorporate a ‘Toronto Local Appeal Body Review Request Fee’ in the amount of $300 per property address for the institution of a Review Request under Rule 31 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Toronto Local Appeal Body.

2. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the City Clerk and Director, Court Services, to report back through the 2022 budget process on the financial implications of amending the decision writing stipend accorded to Toronto Local Appeal Body Members from a rate of $200 per decision to a varied rate with a maximum of $400.

3. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Director, Court Services, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Clerk, to review the following and report back to the Planning and Housing Committee by the first quarter of 2022 on the feasibility of implementing the following:

a. Extending compensation to the Chair and Vice-Chair for hearing time in Review Requests as is currently afforded to Toronto Local Appeal Body Members;

b. For The Toronto Local Appeal Body, its Chair to be represented and included in the preparation of the annual Toronto Local Appeal Body tribunal budget in consultation with Court Services; and

c. The operations of the Toronto Local Appeal Body relative to its original intent, with public engagement, with the intended outcome of simplifying the hearing process and increasing public participation.

Enacted on May 3rd, 2017, the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal established through the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 142, City of Toronto Act and other provincial legislation. The Tribunal provides a public forum for the adjudication of land-use disputes related to applications under Sections 45 and 53 of the Planning Act.

The TLAB is composed of 10 members including the Chair, Vice Chair and 8 Panel Members who are nominated by an impartial citizen-member nominating panel with recommendations for appointments submitted to City Council.  City Council appoints Members of the TLAB for a four-year term of office.