fedplanner:
But why restrict it to the design aspect? If you are going with the Robert Moses argument, the democratic alternative wouldn't be seats on the DRP, but citizen/neighbourhood control over the planning process, the result of which will be utterly at odds with your disbelief in height or density limits.
AoD
My thoughts are the design review process can be improved by getting some feedback from the public on design elements. I believe there can be middle ground by allowing some mechanism to solict public feedback rather than keeping it exclusive to experts. Something as simple as having just one ordinary member of the community may spot something that the experts miss.
On the topic of height and density, the limits were initially established by the experts to in response to public health and safety concerns. They also exist to make sure that current infrastructure has the capacity to service the existing population so quality of life is not harmed.
However, the paradigm has changed. Building codes have become more rigorous, in turn promoting public health and safety. Infrastructure improvements, specifically transportation infrastructure, no longer revolved around the car. There is only so many lanes that can be added to the highway and downtown streets can only expand so large. There was a good cause for a density limit when planning revolved around cars.
Toronto is different as a strong transit culture exists and is growing. It's one of the few cities in North America where it's possible to traverse to most places in the city without the need of owning a car.
With the new developments coming online, that have greatly exceeded existing zoning, it's sparked serious discussion about the Downtown Relief Line and other transit routes. I don't believe that would have happened had everything been built to the existing height and zoning limits. I also believe the new development has brought an incredible vibrancy and energy to the city, especially areas that were long neglected.
If area residents had veto power over every development, that probably wouldn't work. Having a Robert Moses type expert calling the shots didn't work either. Giving developers free reign has also proven to be disastrous. I want to see high quality development in Toronto. I believe that can be accomplished thru excellent site planning but without limiting density in areas of the city that can support it. (I.e. on a subway line or in the downtown core). A community may not welcome the development, because people can be afraid of change. The Minto towers at Yonge and Eglinton was fiercely fought because it greatly exceeded existing zoning. The end result was two beautiful towers, with street fronting retail, on the subway line, replacing a parking lot and providing homes for over 600 people. Whatever perceived negative aspects this tower had will soon be long forgotten.
Alvin and ProjectEnd, I apologize for being all over the map in my response. It's something I'm very passionate about and believe in strongly. On the plus side, the status-quo isn't ideal but Toronto is undergoing an incredible transformation. I love the city and it only continues to get better. Perhaps that's something we call all agree with?