Item - 2022.PH31.14

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to review the procedures of the Committee of Adjustment to improve their virtual meetings by including tools that would allow for:

a. up to the minute interactive agendas allowing residents to know what item is under discussion;

b. residents to appear via video rather than audio only; and

c. any additional improvements to the virtual hearings undertaken since discussion of PH29.14 (November 25, 2021)

2. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report by May 31, 2022 with an update.

At our November 25th meeting this committee discussed PH29.14 Committee of Adjustment - Status Update where City Planning reported on the retaining of a consultant to improve the Committee of Adjustment process and some of the changes that the Committee has already made to the virtual meeting format.

At a recent hearing about Hugh's Room I noticed that there were a number of changes that I think should be simple to implement that would improve accessibility and participation.

These include agendas that are accessible online and updated to allow residents to see when their item is coming and allowing residents to appear via video.