We received the following notice from Councillor Grimes yesterday, outlining some very positive steps in managing development in our community. For those who have not seen it, I’ve pasted it below. Kudos to Councillor Grimes – this will help even the playing field.

After discussions with the Planning Dept., we feel that the most appropriate way to deal with any future severance applications made before the design guidelines are complete is to request deferral until the applicant holds a meeting with my office, City Planning, and the neighbours to discuss what the most appropriate development for the site is. This will have the dual effect of delaying any of the inevitable appeals to the OMB following a COA refusal, and will help form the basis for the elements we want to see in the Long Branch Design Guidelines.