In additional to the internal departmental review, all substantive applications would be set to an external design reviewer. This reviewer would be selected from a pre-screened roster of design professionals who would serve the City for a set period. The design reviewer’s comments, together with those of the relevant City departments and planning staff would form the recommendation package presented at Planning Board. Issues of non-compliance with the zoning bylaw identified by either staff or the design reviewer would require mitigation by the proponent, prior to proceeding to Planning Board. As is the current process, all Planning Board recommendations would be reviewed by Council.
The proponent would still be able to appeal Council’s decision to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC).