Amendments to the appeal provisions of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000 were introduced yesterday in the House of Assembly for second reading. The proposed amendments to the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000 present an innovative approach to improve services to municipalities and residents and if passed would ensure a more effective and efficient appeals process, easing scheduling conflicts and eliminating delays.
The Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000 provides authority to Regional Appeal Boards to hear appeals related to land use and development issues that arise from decisions made by municipalities or a provincial government authority. Under the proposed amendments, the land use appeal process would be improved by establishing a list of adjudicators, increasing capacity to hear appeals, and creating efficiencies.
With the proposed amendments, there would be up to twenty professionally qualified adjudicators, appointed from all regions of the province through the Independent Appointment Commission process. Adjudicators would require a recognized professional designation relevant to administrative law and municipal development, such as a lawyer or certified professional land use planner.
Quote
“The department has been acutely aware of delays with appeal hearings and has been working to address this issue. The proposed amendments would provide a timely and balanced appeal process for all areas of the province, easing scheduling conflicts and avoiding delays that can have negative economic impacts for a municipality. If passed, not only would the proposed changes address the current backlog of appeals but would support economic development in communities.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
– 30 –
Learn more
Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and MPA_GovNL
Like us on Facebook
Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Municipal and Provincial Affairs
709-729-5449, 691-9446
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca