BUILDING DURHAM

The City of Oshawa's Development Services Committee passed the following two motions on October 4, 2021, requiring a report by staff in consultation with the building industry:

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DS-21-182

Whereas the narrower streets in the new developments are causing safety concerns;

Therefore staff report back on measures for the City to approve the same minimum 8.5 metre street width in all new subdivision plans, including 8.5 metre width on private roads for new block developments in consultation with BILT.

DS-21-189

That Report DS-21-189 from the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee requesting the City of Oshawa develop standards for car lifts (stacked parking) be referred to staff for a report and including consultation with BILT.

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Regarding DS-21-182, the City's current practice is to require minimum widths of 6.5m for private roads (curb-to-curb, not including sidewalks).  This is based on three key factors:

1. requirements for a minimum 6.0m wide fire route,
2. waste collection requirements for minimum 6.5m wide collection routes on private property, and
3. Section 39.4.1 of the City's Zoning By-law 60-94 which requires a minimum width of 6.5m for two-way drive aisles for vehicle maneuvering.

Through motion DS-21-182, the Development Services Committee has asked staff to investigate private road widths and a draft new policy has not been drafted at this time.

Regarding DS-21-189, the City is currently processing a Zoning By-law Amendment application for stacked townhouses which includes a car lift for vehicular access to an underground parking garage.  The Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee and Development Services Committee has requested that staff develop accessibility standards for car lifts.  Staff are currently analyzing the issue and draft standards have not been prepared at this time.  The Oshawa Accessibility Design Standards contain standards for standard elevators but not for car lifts.

If you have feedback on either of these items, please contact Stacey no later than Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

Oshawa's Finance Services is currently in the public consultation phase of their Development Charge By-law Update.  

On Tuesday, October 19, 2021, the Finance committee will hold a public meeting to present and obtain public input on the proposed City of Oshawa Development Charge By-law Update and underlying Development Charge Background Study.

All interested parties are invited to view the Electronic Public Meeting live on the City's website on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.

While in-person delegations are not possible at this time, those wishing to address or provide written comments to the Finance Committee must email the City Clerk at clerks@oshawa.ca.

 The background study can be viewed here.

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The PDF has a live link to the registration portal. Enbridge is interested in gaining builders’ perspectives on the challenges of finding a location for natural gas meters.

Enbridge - Gas Meter Location Builder Feedback Webinar.pdf

On January 1, 2022 Ontario Building Code changes to stairs/ramps/handrails and guards come into effect.

Members should review all housing projects for any permits you plan to pull after January 1, 2022 and make sure they are complying with these new requirements.

A building permit issued before January 1 with the current stair requirements can be constructed under the current requirements in 2022 so long as the permits stay valid.  Most building permits are valid for six months after being issued by the municipality.

Details of Changes

Assessment of Chargeability

In line with provincial health requirements last year, Tarion increased the use of virtual inspections and temporarily moved the assessment of chargeability to the time of the claim inspection. This temporary modification to chargeability was put in place to help industry adjust to the ongoing changes to the claims process due the pandemic.

As provincial health requirements have evolved and we return to more in-person inspections, effective November 29, 2021 the temporary modification to chargeability is being removed and assessment of chargeability is moving back to the time of the warranty assessment. Conciliation fees for homeowners, which were also waived last year, were reinstated earlier this year.

New Temporary COVID-19 Exception to Chargeability

We are advised that the pandemic is causing disruptions in the manufacturing and distribution of building materials, hardware, appliances and equipment required for new home construction and service. 

All exceptions to chargeability that are outlined in Registrar Bulletin 04, and all other provisions outlined in RB04 will continue to apply. However, for all conciliations that take place on or after November 29, 2021, Tarion will also add a temporary exception to chargeability. This exception will address issues with supply chains, material shortages and trades as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order for the exception to be applied, the conditions will have to be met as outlined in the revised Registrar Bulletin 04. 

If the criteria are met and the exception is found to apply, Tarion can extend the post-conciliation repair period and document the extension provided in the Warranty Assessment Report. 

If builders are aware that an item will be delayed due to COVID-19, every attempt should be made to contact Tarion well before the conciliation to request an extension to the pre-conciliation repair period, pursuant to Registrar Bulletin 01 and Registrar Bulletin 02.

We also again encourage you to review the following resources for additional information on Tarion's COVID-19 response:

·     Updated Q&A on Unavoidable Delay & Critical Dates

·     Shortages In Building Materials, Hardware, Appliances & Equipment

·     PDIs & Delayed Closing 

·     Consumer Resources

Need Help? Call Tarion.

If you have questions, please contact our Customer Service team at 1-877-982-7466 or email covid19@tarion.com.

The provincial government has released an online COVID-19 Safety Plan Builder to help employers develop their own document that outlines the actions and processes you are taking to keep workers, suppliers, and clients safe.

It is an online, interactive platform that will make it easier and faster for employers to create a workplace safety plan to address the risks of exposures to workplace hazards like COVID-19.

The workplace safety plan builder can be found at Ontario.ca/COVIDSafety, along with the existing safety plan guide and other helpful resources for businesses.