Improving Transparency and Accountability at the Committee of Adjustment

Improvements to the Committee of Adjustment are on the way!

Back in June 2014, I moved a successful motion requesting city staff to bring forward a report with recommendations to improve the Committee of Adjustment. In particular, I asked for:

• Improvements to the notice process, including the manner and form of public notices as well as extending the distribution area and timeline;
• Training and professional development for Committee of Adjustment panel members;
• The audio-visual or audio recording of Committee of Adjustment panels; and,
• A public participation strategy to ensure the public is well-informed about the process and has the tools to effectively engage in Committee of Adjustment hearings.

For the full text of my motion, click here.

I’m pleased to announce that, at this month’s Planning and Growth Management Committee, city staff brought forward a report recommending the purchase and installation of a device that would allow for the full audio-visual recording of Committee of Adjustment meetings.

Click here to read the report.

Audio-visual recordings of Committee of Adjustment panels will improve the transparency of the process by keeping a record of the meetings.

The device will be installed at City Hall in January 2016.

While there is a significant amount of work still to be done to overhaul the Committee of Adjustment, I’m heartened to see the realization of one of my long-standing recommendations. I look forward to seeing more improvements to the Committee of Adjustment in the near future.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee also requested a report on the feasibility of live-streaming Committee of Adjustment meetings – this means you could follow the meetings from the comfort of your home.

Be on the lookout for that report in 2016!