Item - 2022.PH35.8

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council receive the report (June 20, 2022) from the Director, Court Services and the 2021 Annual Report from the Chair of the Toronto Local Appeal Body contained in Attachment 1 for information.

Enacted on May 3rd, 2017, the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal established through City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 142, Local Appeal Body, the City of Toronto Act, and other provincial legislation. The TLAB has all the powers of the Ontario Municipal Board related to the hearing of appeals to Committee of Adjustment decisions for minor variance and consent applications under subsections 45(12), 53(14), 53(19) and 53(27) of the Planning Act.

TLAB Member responsibilities are outlined in Municipal Code Chapter 142 – Local Appeal Body. These responsibilities are associated with the adjudication process and include conducting mediations, presiding over hearings, and rendering a written decision on hearings based on the evidence presented in accordance with the TLAB's Rules of Practice and Procedure and the Statutory Powers Procedure Act. The Governance Structure approved by Council in 2016 stipulates that the Chair of the TLAB is responsible for preparing the Annual Report to City Council on the Tribunal's activities.

The TLAB is composed of ten members including the Chair, Vice-Chair, and eight 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. On April 6, 2022, City Council approved an increase in the TLAB's Member complement from ten to fourteen Members.

This report recommends that City Council receive the 2021 Annual Report from the TLAB Chair for information.

This report also provides additional staff comments and information related to the specific issues raised in the TLAB Chair's 2021 Annual Report's Recommendations.