For the second time in as many months, town councillors here have made an about-turn on the make-up of the municipality’s committee of adjustment.
Late last year Erin councillors decided they would take over the committee of adjustment, which makes decisions on behalf of council on matters such as minor variances.
On Feb. 1, they passed a bylaw confirming that decision, which effectively removed public members Jeff Duncan, Neil Baldwin, and Wayne Parkinson from the committee. But immediately afterwards, council passed a resolution to reconsider.
Last week, council chose to go in the exact opposite direction, with a committee composed entirely of members of the public – and no councillors.
A resolution to that effect was passed by a 4-1 vote, with only Mayor Lou Maieron opposed.
Councillor John Brennan, who proposed the idea on Feb. 15, explained the move would save some time for council while also promoting transparency on the committee.
“It keeps the public directly involved in the process,” Brennan said.
He also suggested planner Sally Stull could become secretary of the committee, but that idea was turned down by several councillors, given that Stull often submits reports to the committee. Council voted unanimously to have clerk Kathryn Ironmonger remain the committee secretary.
When it came time to debate membership, Maieron argued the land division committee at the county once consisted of just public members, but it got to the point where many items ended up at the Ontario Municipal Board.
Such committees need members who are familiar with the workings of municipal government and provincial legislation, Maieron said. The mayor added he is concerned there has been “very little turnover” in membership on the committee of adjustment.
“I do not see how in good faith and conscience we can reverse our decision and therefore our obligations thereof with respect to the Planning Act,” Maieron said in a “discussion paper” submitted to council.
But Brennan pointed out only three of 13 municipalities in the surrounding area have council act as their committee of adjustment. He would be in favour of increasing the committee size to a maximum of five, but he preferred all-public membership.
The rest of council, the mayor aside, agreed.
The new committee will be comprised of a maximum of five public members, with Ironmonger serving as secretary.
Ironmonger said the town will advertise for the positions and once council picks the members, a new bylaw will be brought forward – likely on March 15 – confirming the new membership.
