As we consider the revision of the Official Plan for Ottawa, our attention is drawn to the specific wording of the plan. But just as important is the procedures by which the wording is put into practice.
I have argued for some time that the interpretation of land-use planning issues in Ottawa is dominated by the development approvals staff of the Planning Department.
The aspect that particularly appalls me is that they produce for the members of Council (those who have the responsibility with making decisions) only one recommendation.
The fact is that there is almost always a range of possible choices from which the final decision-maker is to choose. This is the rule for federal public servants in drafting Memorandum to Cabinet. The public servant (and indeed the Minister carrying forth the topic) must present a range of possible decisions. There may be an obvious decision to take (do X) but the alternatives (do Y or do nothing) must also be considered.
So while we have a brief break while staff works on the details of the wording to produce for revision of the Official Plan, this could be an opportunity for us to step back and consider the procedure by which decisions are made.
Bob
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