As someone who works in the real estate development industry I fully agree with the views of this article.  The OMB is needed as I have worked on some controversial developments in terms of NIMBYism and was flat out told by the local council members in Toronto that while the planned development easily fit within existing zoning and official plan they couldn't support it.  Basically we were told to file an OMB appeal as the councillors wanted to get reelected and would not be able to manage that if they supported the development.  Needless to say the OMB hearing lasted 15 minutes and the development was approved.