Council supports review of planning department to “support streamlined process; improve service”

Council has supported an external review of the municipality’s planning department structure and processes.

Councillor Chris Braney sought the resolution at Tuesday night’s planning meeting, stating increased development applications and significant changes in planning legislation have placed pressure on the planning and development engineering staff involved in land use planning applications and review.

“The development community, the local business community and the public expect timely decisions and effective service,” stated Braney, adding “The purpose of review is to identify changes that will support a streamlined process and improved service delivery.”

Braney stressed these types of reviews “usually have a positive nature attached… and can pull together best practices from other municipalities… It’s not trying to find faults. I’m just trying to find a way forward… maybe we’ll alleviate some pressure on this department with some of the recommendations and outcomes.”

Councillor Roy Pennell was in support, adding “I think that it’s important we give them the opportunity to have every tool available.”

Likewise, councillor Phil St-Jean, who added the municipality needs to be prepared to see continued changes.

“We have been inundated with changes with this conservative government. I think we’re going to see more changes and we need to be as prepared as we can for our community and the people we represent.”

Councillor Bill Roberts noted third party reviews can sometimes be surprising.

Roberts, who was once senior vice-president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, recalled his two biggest clients, CTV and Global, wanted to do a third party study to “dig up all the waste at the CBC and compare it to how efficient we are.”

The third party was chosen and reported, “and then both of them decided not to release the results,” said Roberts. “Because it turns out that at that particular moment in time, the CBC was much more efficient and value for dollar than either Global or CTV.”

The Chief Administrative Officer is directed to engage an external firm and report back to council with a proposed procurement scope, timeline and budget for the review.