Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunk
To me having Bill Chomik - SDAB chair is (or should be) irrelevant to the matter. As has been discussed, this is no high paying cushy appointment- it is a true giving back, lending professional expertise type appointment. It's extremely demanding and time consuming - not just the hearings, but the crafting of the very detailed decision documents that span dozens of pages often. The chair especially is involved in a lot of that writing. It's quasi-judicial, so the chair is basically a judge, but paid a relatively nominal honoraria. I assume he does it because at this point in his career he has the ability to do it, and does less day to day management of his architecture firm.
A pay (big $) for access, real or perceived is really the mistake here.
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I don't disagree a lot with what you have posted here, and very much appreciate the many helpful posts you have made about local politics on this forum, but..... there is more that happens with being a member of the SDAB than giving back. There's more to this.
I quickly scanned CanLII as SDAB decisions are now posted there, and those decisions list who comprised the panel for each decision. Its clear these near volunteers (as they don't get paid much, I agree with that in this case) are most often professionals in the real esate development industry, with a heavily weighted mix of design professionals including architects, and real estate lawyers, there's even an urban environment professor from the UofC.
I also agree that the SDAB hearings are mind-numbingly boring. I attended one meeting and know two former board members, one of whom I consider a close friend. They assert the SDAB's good work but its clear they were happy to do it for only a short time and exit.
Here is where the benefit lies, and I'm not suggesting any particular member of the SDAB is doing it for this reason: It gives you and your company status in the real estate development community. It helps when you are asked to advise on how a development submission should read. It causes you to be considered an expert in development permit issues. This helps either the person or their firm. That is not make a suggestion that the reason people join it is for personal gain, but it gives prestige and recognition.
You have commented on the quasi-judicial role the SDAB plays. That is correct. Their decisions are now even on CanLII. Contrast to the role of a real judge, QB, Provincial, Federal. They only work for the government. There are no sitting judges who work for law firms, and it would never be allowed.
So when you have a prominent architect of a for-profit firm who is supporting a $5000 per plate lunch with the mayor, all while being the chair of the SDAB, the conflict should be obvious. The SDAB is subordinate to counsel. The architect firm relies upon revenue from all kinds of local development. Being a member of the SDAB suggests you are an expert in development and permit issues. Even if you don't submit the applications, if you're part of a firm that does, and having a member of the SDAB probably impacts the perception in the development permit office as to the credibility of your application.
I know, the most often issues that go before the SDAB are mundane things like garages and decks, but the advisors/professionals who know how to present things to the permit office in the first place are sought after, and some of those are on the SDAB. I note the SDAB is an independent entity formally, and separate from the planning/permit branch, but there is an element of advantage that comes if you have a firm or hire a professional which includes a current or former SDAB member.
Again, I have no information to suggest the current chair is doing Nenshi a favour to get him $200,000 to campaign with which in turn will lead to more work for the architect firm, but the optics are totally wrong.
I could go on about McIver doing similar things, but I won't, he has however been pretty cozy with the construction industry also. Its how politics has been done and its something Nenshi himself has called out as inappropriate. Now he does it himself. That's why I said it was time for change of mayor, not because I'm a right winger or a left winger, but because principles matter. I think we have had a good mayor in Nenshi but he's changed.