What is the Board of Variance?
The Board of Variance is an impartial, quasi-judicial body appointed by City Council that acts as a check and balance to the Planning Department: it provides a mechanism for citizens be they developers or neighbours to appeal decisions made by the City Planning Department or the Director of Planning. It is a place to be heard and, if the Board finds that concerns are warranted, to have development permit decisions altered or overturned. Members of the Board of Variance are appointed by Council for a three year renewable term. They cannot be a member of the Advisory Planning Commission or hold any appointed or elected municipal office. As such they are intended to be non-partisan in their decision-making duties; the nature of the appointment process indicates that this may be a challenging condition.
