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  • March 18, 2024 2:55 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Oshawa – March 18, 2024 – The Durham Region Home Builders’ Association (DRHBA) has released the finalists for the 2024 Awards of Excellence.  This year, DRHBA had over 100 entries and judges from across Canada have scored the submissions and chosen this year’s winners.

    These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in new homes, home renovations, innovative technology and construction, outstanding presentation, and marketing of projects within Durham Region.

    Please join us in person for this year’s Awards of Excellence ceremony!  DRHBA will be hosting the in-person gala on Thursday, April 25th at 5:30 p.m. at the Towneplace Suites by Marriott, located at 1011 Bloor Street East in Oshawa.  Please click here  to purchase your tickets.  Don’t delay – ticket sales close on April 12, 2023.

    If you have any questions regarding DRHBA’s Awards of Excellence, please contact Erica at erica@drhba.com or 905-579-8080 ext. 1.

    This year’s finalists include:

    Sales & Marketing Finalists

    Excellence in Digital Advertisement

    • Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows
    •  Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony Phase II

    Excellence in Interior Decorating

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Logo Design

    • Coughlan Homes – Five
    • Esquire Homes – Fresh Urban Towns
    • Geranium - Clarehaven

    Excellence in New Homes Sales Office

    • Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows
    •  In2ition Realty – The Grand at Universal City Condos

    Excellence in Sales Brochure Design

    • Esquire Homes – Fresh Urban Towns
    • Esquire Homes – Meadow Towns
    • Geranium - Clarehaven

    Excellence in Signage

    • Esquire Homes – Fresh Urban Towns
    • Geranium – Clarehaven
    • Holland Homes – Kings Cross

    Excellence in Social Media

    • Great Gulf – Corporate Social Media
    • Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony Phase II
    • Pinchin Ltd. – Pinchin Ltd.

    Excellence in Website Design

    • Coughlan Homes – Coughlan Homes
    • Esquire Homes – Esquire Homes

    Finalists – New Home Design - Custom

    Excellence in Custom Built Bathroom Design

    • A&R Development Group Ltd. – Luxurious Bathroom Design for Elevated Living
    • Fourteen Estates Ltd. – Grand Central Primary Ensuite – with credit to Cassidy + Company
    • Holland Homes – 229 Gibbons St. Oshawa Bathroom Design

    Excellence in Custom Built Kitchen Design

    • A&R Development Group Ltd. – Crafting a Custom Dream Kitchen at 1421 Rougemount Dr.
    • Fourteen Estates Ltd. – Grand Central Kitchen – with credit to Cassidy + Company

    Excellence in Custom Built Home Under 3,500 sq.ft.

    • Hausworks Design Inc. – Holiday House
    • Holland Homes – 3330 Tooley Rd, Courtice
    • RN Design Ltd. – 30 3rd Avenue South

    Excellence in Custom Built Home Over 3,501 sq.ft.

    • A&R Development Group Ltd. – Rougemount Residence: Crafting a Custom Dream at 1421 Rougemount Dr.
    • Fourteen Estates Ltd. – Grand Central – with credit to Cassidy + Company
    • LCM Project Management & General Contracting – Simple Elegance Nestled on the Nineth

    Finalists – New Home Design – Production

    Excellence in Back-to-Back Townhome

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Stacked/Back-to-Back Townhouse Building Design

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Stacked/Back-to-Back Townhouse Unit Design

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Building Design (Mid-Rise & High-Rise)

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Multi-Unit Suite Design (Mid-Rise and High-Rise)

    • Kiya Developments Ltd. – Interior Suite
    • Kiya Developments Ltd. – Mid-Rise - Dundas

    Excellence in Production Built Bathroom Design

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Production Built Home Under 2,500 sq.ft.

    • Delpark Homes – The Homewood – with credit to: Cassidy + Company
    • Khanani Developments Inc. – Lot 14 Whitby
    • ·Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony Phase II

    Excellence in Production Built Home 2,501 – 3,500 sq.ft.

    • Geranium - Clarehaven
    • Holland Homes – 229 Gibbons St. Oshawa
    • Khanani Developments Inc. – Lot 4 Whitby

    Excellence in Production Built Home over 3,501 sq.ft.

    • Coughlan Homes – 4502B Pente
    • Coughlan Homes - 4503A Tano
    • Geranium - Clarehaven

    Excellence in Production Built Kitchen Design

    • Khanani Developments Inc. – Lot 16 Kitchen
    • Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony Phase II

    Excellence in Townhome under 2,000 sq.ft.

    • Brookfield Residential – The Claremont – with credit to: RN Design Ltd.
    • Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows
    • Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony Phase II

    Excellence in Townhome Over 2,000 sq.ft.

    • Brookfield Residential – The Mapleridge – with credit to: RN Design Ltd.
    • Coughlan Homes – 2504 Wick
    • Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows

    Finalists – RenoMark Home Renovator Awards

    Excellence in Bathroom Renovation

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition Over $250,001

    • Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Solina Renovation
    • Kooger Custom Homes & Renovations – Henderson St. Renovation
    • Paradisaic Building Group – Dell Addition

    Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition Under $250,000

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Excellence in Kitchen Renovation

    • Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Solina Kitchen
    • Paradisaic Building Group – Claremont Kitchen

    Excellence in Unique Space

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Outstanding Achievement Awards

    Excellence in Training & Development

    • Brookfield Residential
    • Cassidy + Company
    • Minto Communities

    Innovation of the Year

    • Render Developments – Virtual Flythrough Video
    • Minto Communities – Minto Communities
    • My Design Studio – My Design Studio Décor Management Software

    Sales Team of the Year

    • In2ition Realty – The Grand at Universal City Condos
    • Pinchin Ltd. – Pinchin Ltd. Has an all-star sales team!

    Supplier of the Year

    • Pollard Windows & Doors
    • Reliance Home Comfort

    Professional of the Year

    • D.G. Biddle & Associates Ltd.
    • Peter Skowron at Hausworks Design

    Renovator of the Year

    • Accubuilt Construction
    • Kooger Custom Homes & Renovations
    • Paradisaic Building Group

    Corporate Citizenship

    • To be announced at the Awards Gala

    Community of the Year

    • Brookfield Residential – Station No. 3
    • Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows
    • Geranium - Clarehaven

    Green Builder of the Year

    • Brookfield Residential - myEnergy
    • Great Gulf
    • Minto Communities

    Builder of the Year – Small Volume

    • Esquire Homes
    • Khanani Developments Inc.

    Builder of the Year – Large Volume

    • Coughlan Homes
    • Great Gulf
    • Minto Communities

    People’s Choice Award – Finalists

    • Accubuilt Construction
    • Brookfield Residential
    • Coughlan Homes
    • Esquire Homes
    • Great Gulf
    • In2ition Realty
    • Khanani Developments Inc.
    • Kooger Custom Homes & Renovations
    • Minto Communities
    • Paradisaic Building Group
    • Pinchin Ltd.
    • Pollard Windows & Doors
    • Reliance Home Comfort

    Vote Online for the People’s Choice Winner here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SG2N77N

    Voting for the People's Choice Award closes on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5 p.m.



  • February 26, 2024 12:16 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Ontario Home Builders' Association is currently investigating a fee increase for the 2024-2025 membership year.

    OHBA dues are billed through and collected by DRHBA and remitted back to OHBA.  Currently, members pay $400 to OHBA as part of their yearly dues.  

    OHBA created a presentation to explain/justify the fee increase, which can be reviewed here.

    There are two fee options currently being proposed:

    Flat Fee

    Under the proposed Flat Fee model, the proposed rates are as follows:

    • Builders/Developers - $1,000
    • Renovators - $700
    • Professionals/Suppliers/Trades - $600

    Tiered Fee

    The tiered fee model provides a breakdown of builder/developer members into further categories based on number of units, with an annual flat fee charged for each category.  The proposed rates are as follows:

    Builder/Developers

    • Ultra (151 plus units) - $5,000
    • Large (101-150 units) - $3,000
    • Medium (51-100 units) - $1,500
    • Small (11-50 units) - $1,000
    • Custom - $500

    Renovators - $600

    Professionals/Suppliers/Trades - $500

    Rebate

    OHBA fees are paid with every local HBA that you are a member of.  For example, if you belong to three local home builders' associations, you would pay the OHBA fees three times.  To account for this, OHBA is proposing that under the new fee structure, members who join multiple locals will receive a rebate directly from OHBA.  The proposed rebate is:

    • 20% for 2-5 local memberships
    • 22.5% for 6-10 local memberships
    • 25% for 11-22 local memberships

    Response to OHBA

    DRHBA's board of directors is looking for feedback from members on OHBA's proposed fee increase.  This feedback will be used to create DRHBA's official response to OHBA.  Members can send their feedback to Stacey or you can take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2ND2QRZ.  

    Your voice matters!  Please provide your feedback to ensure that your voice is heard.

  • January 26, 2024 9:53 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Township of Scugog is currently in the midst of a Development Charge Background Study.  Their current DC by-law will expire on May 28, 2024.

    The Township has retained the services of Hemson Consulting Ltd. to prepare the background study.  A high-level overview was provided to council on January 15th.

    An informal open house to present the high-level information prior to the release of the background study will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 in council chambers at 181 Perry Street, second floor in Port Perry, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

    The background study will be released on February 22, 2024 and a public meeting will be held on March 5, 2024.  Council is planning on passing the new by-law on April 22, 2024.

    If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stacey.


  • January 26, 2024 9:10 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Municipality of Clarington is reviewing its building permit fees, within the building by-law, as a requirement under the Building Code Act.

    The Municipality is projecting the providing building code services will cost $3,667,600 in 2024.

    In accordance with the provisions of the Building Code Act, the Municipality is proposing an increase of 8.99 per cent for building permit fees and inspection fees as of March 1, 2024.  This represents an increase from $15.33 to $16.71 per square metre for a single family dwelling.

    The Municipality believes that this increase will ensure that building permit revenue covers all direct and indirect costs to the Municipality in delivering these services, based on projected trends and building data.  The increase is also projected to contribute to the reserve fund, which would be used to maintain services during an economic downturn.

    A public meeting will be held on Monday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. You can join in person or virtually.

    To participate virtually, please pre-register by completing the online form at www.clarington.net/delegations, by calling 905-623-3379 ext. 2109 or emailing clerks@clarington.net by February 9, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.  You do not need to pre-register as a delegate in order to speak in person.

    Written comments can be sent to Brent Rice at brice@clarington.net or to Stacey before the public meeting.



  • January 16, 2024 2:07 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The City of Oshawa invites you to provide feedback on the Bloor-Simcoe Intensification Study (the “Study”). The purpose of the Study is to develop an intensification policy framework to guide future development in suitable locations and at appropriate densities within the Study Area.

    The City is advancing the following public consultation opportunities related to the Study:

    • A Public Open House on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in the C-Wing Committee Room at City Hall (50 Centre St. S., enter from the main south entrance and immediately turn right).
      • Two identical 30-minute presentations will be made – at 6:45 p.m. and at 7:45 p.m., each followed by 30 minutes for discussion and questions on the presentation.
      • The presentation and display boards are available for viewing on Connect Oshawa (ConnectOshawa.ca/BloorSimcoe).
    • A feedback form on Connect Oshawa or on paper at Service Oshawa, located at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.).
    • A mapping exercise for the Study Area on Connect Oshawa and also submit questions through Connect Oshawa.

    It is requested that you submit comments related to the Study directly to Victoria White at vwhite@oshawa.ca. Please note that feedback will be received until 12 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024 and will be considered in a future staff report to be presented to the Economic and Development Services Committee.



  • January 16, 2024 1:59 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The City of Pickering is exploring new opportunities to support urban agriculture within Pickering and is seeking your input. Urban agriculture comes in many forms, but it's considered by many to be simply growing or producing vegetables, herbs, and fruits in urban spaces. 

    Recent years have seen the development community incorporate urban agriculture opportunities into new communities where possible. This includes providing community gardening plots (on the ground and integrated within buildings terraces and podiums), edible landscaping to container balcony gardening. The integration of urban agriculture provides various opportunities for growing local food on site where future residents can establish a community garden for social, economic and well-being benefits.

    To better understand why urban agriculture consideration is (or not) part of your company's business sustainability plan, as well as the challenges to undertaking these programs, the City of Pickering has prepared a short survey. Your ideas and feedback will help City staff understand the opportunities and barriers facing the development community when considering these types of design features. This information will help shape the City's short-term actions and long-term planning to meet the needs of the community.

    The results and feedback from individuals will not be shared. The overarching ideas/themes will be included as part of a report that staff are preparing for Council in March 2024. If you cannot comment on behalf of your company, please forward the survey link to an appropriate colleague. We request that surveys be completed by January 29, 2024.


  • January 16, 2024 1:55 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    SUMMARY

    OHBA has been closely following the Ontario Minister of Energy’s commitment to reverse an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) decision in late December 2023 that denied Enbridge’s amortization of natural gas connection costs.

    The OEB’s decision would have had the effect of front-ending the entire cost of the natural gas servicing connection on the construction of any new homes connected to natural gas utility. This is estimated to add several thousands of dollars in additional costs to the construction costs of a new home.

    Minister of Energy Todd Smith committed to introducing legislation to reverse the decision, citing that the decision would lead to increased costs and reduced choice for consumers.

    BACKGROUND

    On December 21st, the OEB released a decision that Enbridge could no longer amortize natural gas connection costs for new customers over a 40-year period and would have to charge the complete costs upfront (estimated by the OEB at roughly $4,400 per new home).

    The OEB’s position is that Enbridge’s long-term plan is unreasonable because it assumes that every new housing development will include gas servicing and that homebuyers will remain on gas for 40 years, with OEB citing an energy transition toward electrification in new home construction.

    "The OEB is not satisfied that Enbridge Gas's proposal will not lead to an overbuilt, underutilized gas system in the face of the energy transition," much of the board wrote.

    The OEB stated the connection cost should be paid upfront by home developers to address that risk and incentivize developers "to choose the most cost-effective, energy-efficient choice." Per the OEB: “Consumers would benefit if developers chose to forego that up-front cost and opted against gas lines.”

    The decision also noted that “connection costs have escalated sharply for Enbridge Gas in recent years due to rising construction costs and additional costs related to municipal permit and restoration requirements.”

    The final decision was two to one, with the dissenting commissioner arguing that a 20-year horizon would be appropriate for amortizing gas connection costs for Enbridge’s customers.

    MINISTER’S RESPONSE

    Minister Todd Smith Released the following statement on December 22nd, 2023.

    “Our government was elected with a mandate to rebuild Ontario’s economy as we keep costs down for people and businesses and build the homes our growing province needs.

    “I am extremely disappointed in yesterday’s split decision by the Ontario Energy Board to reduce the amortization period for the cost of installing new natural gas connections for homes. This decision, which would mean costs that are normally paid over 40 years would be owed in full upfront, could lead to tens of thousands of dollars added to the cost of building new homes.

    “At a time when Ontario, like the rest of Canada, is already dealing with the difficult headwinds of high-interest rates and inflationary pressures, the Ontario Energy Board’s decisions would slow or halt the construction of new homes, including affordable housing. We will not stand for this.

    “In response, I will use all of my authorities as Minister to pause the Ontario Energy Board’s decision. At the earliest opportunity, our government will introduce legislation that, if passed, would reverse it, so that we protect future homebuyers and keep shovels in the ground.” [Emphasis added].

    The Legislature is in recess till February 20th – so the earliest any legislation can be introduced would be on or after this date.

    Some notable points that Minister Smith highlighted during his press conference:

    “We’re still doing the math on how many thousands of dollars it could be. More than half of the delegations I’ve had as minister of energy over the last two years are from municipalities that want new natural gas in their communities; they want that expansion program expanded again.”

    “We’ve been trying to take a pragmatic approach to the energy transition and not heaping tons of new costs on new homes, making sure that life is affordable for people, particularly for those looking to buy a home for the first time.”

    There have been no further statements from the Ministry on the announcement to overturn the decision. Due to the sensitive precedent of overruling an independent regulator’s decision, the Minister has not speculated on precisely what the government will bring forward regarding legislation.

    NEXT STEPS FOR OHBA

    • OHBA will be sending official correspondence to the Minister of Energy and the Premier communicating OHBA’s support for the government’s move to ensure housing affordability by reversing this decision AND encourage local HBA’s to send letters as well, reinforcing the OHBA position. We will provide a sample form letter to ease of reference.
    • OHBA will continue to engage directly with the Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Government to reinforce the sector’s position and seek clarity regarding the legislative vehicle that the government introduces to reverse the decision, as well as the anticipated timeline.
    • OHBA will coordinate efforts with our industry partner, Enbridge Gas, on any efforts we may mutually agree are in the best interest of OHBA members to ensure this decision is rescinded.

    RESOURCES

    OEB Decision Backgrounder December 21, 2023

    https://www.oeb.ca/sites/default/files/backgrounder-EGI-EB-2022-0200-20231221-en.pdf

    OEB Decision and Order

    https://www.rds.oeb.ca/CMWebDrawer/Record/827754/File/document

    Minister’s Statement

    Ontario Government Standing Up for Families and Businesses | Ontario Newsroom


  • January 15, 2024 5:22 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    OHBA has released their Weekly GR Reports for the first two weeks of January, which can be viewed here:

    On December 7, 2023, the OHBA Board of Directors passed a motion to enter into a new operating agreement with BILD.  This agreement aims to highlight each Association's strengths and avoid duplication in efforts to deliver the best possible value to our members.  The agreement will see BILD staff support OHBA in areas of advocacy, jointly supported efforts in research and communication campaigns, and a clearer role sort between the Associations.  BILD released this member update on the agreement.



  • January 15, 2024 5:13 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    It is with great sadness that CHBA advises that Kathleen Maynard, Senior Director, Building Innovation, CHBA, passed away from cancer on January 11, 2024. This came as a shock as she only became aware of the cancer less than two months prior. Kathleen was a wonderful colleague, a trailblazing and central contributor to the sector and an all-around amazing person. We will all miss her tremendously. 

    CHBA does not have funeral information yet. As it becomes available it will be posted here.

    Kathleen’s CHBA colleagues Keith Herring (Director, Modular & Construction Systems, keith.herring@chba.ca) and Frank Lohmann (Director, Building Science, frank.lohmann@chba.ca) will be continuing the important work she was so passionate about.

    About Kathleen at CHBA

    In her capacity as CHBA’s Senior Director, Building Innovation, Kathleen headed up CHBA’s Modular Construction Council and Technical Research Committee. The sheer volume of building codes-related information she read through and actioned was staggering, and she was a wonder to her colleagues. Kathleen represented CHBA on the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes as well as CSA’s Strategic Steering Committee on Construction and Civil Infrastructure. She also chaired the CSA Technical Committee on Prefabricated Buildings, Modules and Panels and was a very active participant on the Joint Task Group on Impact Analysis under the new Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes – a core concern for CHBA members. Kathleen’s talents were many, and it may come as a surprise to some that she also was heavily engaged in the production of CHBA’s National Conference and its sponsor relations for many years—Kathleen loved the conference. Her creativity and attention to detail helped create a wonderful experience for members time and again.

    Kathleen began her career working with the building industry in 1987 as National Director of Communications for Energy Pathways, an Ottawa-based environmental consulting company, until 1997, when she joined Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation as Marketing Officer for CMHC's Research Division initiatives and collaborations, such as Healthy Housing, FlexHousing, Affordability and Choice Today (ACT), Regulatory Reform, and NRCan's R-2000 Program. As the CEO of the Canadian Manufactured Housing Institute from 2000 to 2016, she managed all facets of the institute’s operation and represented the factory-built housing industry. She then transitioned CMHI to become the CHBA Modular Construction Council in 2017, and officially joined the CHBA staff after having shared office space for many years.

    Words cannot express how much everyone in the CHBA family, from staff to members to colleagues in other organizations, will miss Kathleen in so many ways.

  • December 21, 2023 11:24 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Municipality of Clarington is consulting the public about Clarington's Site Alteration By-law to ensure that the environment is protected and residents remain safe.  The current by-law was enacted in 2008 to regulate grading, filling or dumping on land, and removal of topsoil from land.

    A Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held on January 25, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 40 Temperance Street in Bowmanville.  Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback on the proposed changes.  Registration is not required.

    More information on the PIC can be found here.


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