BUILDING DURHAM

On Thursday, April 6, 2023, Steve Clark, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, introduced Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers and Protecting Tenants Act.  

Key highlights from the legislation include:

Streamlining Provincial Land Use Policy

• The province is proposing greater flexibility to build homes in rural areas, including allowing:

1. More residential development in rural settlements and multi-lot residential housing on rural lands.
2. More homes to be built on farms while minimizing the impacts on agriculture.
3. Partnerships with the private sector to provide water and wastewater services.

• 29 large and fast-growing municipalities would be required to plan for growth in major transit station areas, and they would be encouraged to plan for density levels that would support transit use on greenfield lands.

1. Minimum density targets would apply to major transit station areas and strategic growth areas, and they would be encouraged to plan for density levels that would support transit use on greenfield lands.

• A proposal to accelerate the conversion of additional lands zoned for employment uses to residential including updating the definition of employment lands.
• Under the proposed changes, municipalities would need to ensure land is ready to meet their community's future housing and employment needs.
• Municipalities would have more flexibility in when and where they expand their settlement area boundaries.  They would consider available infrastructure, avoid speciality crop areas and mitigate agricultural impacts and use consistent criteria when calculating how far livestock farms should be from homes.
• Encouraging municipalities to adopt a watershed planning approach would protect water resources while facilitating more new home construction.

Freezing Provincial Housing Development Fees

• The province is freezing 74 provincial fees at current levels including several related Tribunals Ontario, the Ontario Land Tribunals and the Building Code.

Municipal Changes and Exemptions

• Delaying the enforcement date of municipalities having to refund zoning by-law and site plan application fees if they failed to make a decision within specified time periods from January 1 to July 1, 2023.
• Permitting municipalities in the cases of particular projects (for example, housing near train tracks) to utilize site plan review where there are 10 or fewer units.

Creating More Opportunities for Building Officials

• The province will be redesigning the building official qualification program and supporting municipalities who provide building official internships.

Landlord & Tenant Board (LTB)

• Investment of an additional $6.5 million to appoint 40 full-time adjudicators and improve service standards and reduce decisions time frames.
• Conducting a lean review of the current LTB processes are identifying areas for greater efficiency.
• Modernizing the tribunals Ontario Case Management System.
• Exploring ways to expand hearing hours and scheduling flexibility.
• Providing adjudicators with enhanced training to support hearing management.

Building More Rental Housing

• The provincial government continues to call on the federal government to defer the HST on all new large scale purpose-built rental housing projects to tackle the ongoing housing affordability crisis.
• The provincial government indicated it would support this measure, as it would help spur the construction of more rental housing units while helping to create jobs, encourage economic development and support growth.

Rental Replacement

• The provincial government is moving forward with the next steps in consulting on a framework for rental replacement bylaws including:

1. Requiring replacement units to have the same core features as the original units (such as the same number of bedrooms), while permitting some flexibility when it comes to size.
2. Giving existing tenants the right to move back into the new unit at a similar rent.

Consulting on a Cooling-Off Period for Purchases of Newly Built Freehold Homes

• The provincial government will be consulting on introducing a cooling-off period when people buy a new freehold home from a builder.
• Considerations as part of this proposal would include:

1. Requiring home builders to tell their customers about the cooling-off period.
2. Seek feedback on how long the cancellation period should last, disclosure requirements and whether to include a cancellation charge.
3. Seeking input on requiring all new home purchase agreements to be reviewed by a lawyer.

Modular Construction for Attainable Housing

• The province is looking at modular construction pathways and other innovative options to reduce the cost of building attainable housing.
• As part of this proposal, the province will leverage crown lands and seek partnerships for development lands across Ontario.

Read OHBA's press release on Bill 97.

Following the Region of Durham’s release of their Development Charge Background Study, representatives from DRHBA and BILD met with the Region on April 6.

Regional staff prepared a presentation, which was followed by Q&A.

Highlights from the meeting include:

Important Dates:

• The current bylaw needs to be replaced by July 1, 2023
• The public meeting will occur on April 12, 2023.  It will be a Special Council meeting, held on what is normally a Committee of the Whole meeting date.
• The final date for public comment is on May 5, 2023.  This is earlier than normal as staff are planning to release the final recommendations in early to mid-June.
• The new DC bylaw will be brought to council at a Special Council meeting on June 14, 2023.
• The new bylaw will be implemented on July 1, 2023.

General Information About the New DC Bylaw

• The new DC bylaw will expire 10 years after it comes into force.
• There is a multi-year phase-in of rates, as required by Bill 23.
• ·         Year 1 – 80% of full charge
• ·         Year 2 – 85% of full charge
• ·         Year 3 – 90% of full charge
• ·         Year 4 – 95% of full charge
• ·         Years 5-10 – 100% of full charge
• The Region has not accounted for the discount in the new rate, which means there will be a cash shortfall for the Region due to the phase-in.
• Housing services has been removed from the DC as it is no longer eligible (Bill 23).
• Discounts will apply to rental housing.  One bed – 15% discount, Two Bed – 20% discount, Three bed – 25% discount
• Non-profit housing, inclusionary zoning units, and affordable/attainable units will be exempt from DCs.  The Region is waiting on a bulletin from the province to define what “affordable/attainable housing” is.
• The historical level of service has increased from 10 years to 15 years.

Proposed Policy Changes

• The new DC bylaw is proposing to change the definition of a bedroom to better align with the Ontario Building Code.
• Stacked townhomes will be treated as apartments (they already are in the Transit DC).  The DC charges will be based on bedroom count.
• Redevelopment credit will be changed from 10 years to 5 years.
• All of the proposed policy changes are endorsed by area municipal staff.
• The Region’s Collection Policy for residential subdivision agreements will be: 100% at signing or 50% of water/sewer/roads at signing, balance due at 1 year anniversary of signing and letter of credit for 55% with 100% at building permit, whichever is first.  For rental housing, at building permit issuance or on deferred payment basis.

Why is the increase so much?

• The new 10-year growth forecasts for population and employment are lower and denser compared to the 2018 DC bylaw.
• Fewer new units and more high density units result in a higher residential DC.
• The capital forecasts are more expensive.  Soft services are up 10-100%, hard services are up 70-100%.
• There is new large-scale infrastructure required in the 10-year forecast.
• The calculated DCs are approximately 91-102% higher compared to current rates.
• The phased-in DCs are approximately 26-43% higher compared to current rates.
• The increase is predominately related to water, sewer and roads.
• The Transit DC increase in the background study reflects the phase-in that is already in place, as the Transit DC was approved in November.  It will also be indexed because it’s already in existence.
• The shortfall in DC revenue will be rationalized through budget planning and could result in increased user fees.  For example, water and sewer rates will go up to fund capital projects, where historically this has not happened.

Population and Employment Forecast

• The forecast period is 2023 – 2033 (10 years)
• It extends the population and employment forecasts contained in the current OP.
• The forecasted population of 923,510 will be reached by 2033.
• The forecasted employment of 320,600 jobs will be reached by 2033.
• The forecast was prepared excluding Seaton for water/sewer services, and including Seaton for all other eligible Regional services.
• The provincial assignment of municipal housing targets of 84,000 new units and the recent release of Greenbelt lands will be assessed through future DC background studies.
• There is a shift to high density units.  For single/semi detached – 52% in 2018 DC Study to 41% in 2023 DC Study.  Medium density has gone from 26% to 28%, and apartments have gone from 22% to 31%.
• The population growth is 40,000 less than expected and that is factored into the 2023 DC.
• The DC is based on the current OP, as Envision Durham has not yet been approved by council and the province.  As this is a 10-year bylaw, it may need to be opened up earlier for amendments due to updated numbers in Envision Durham.

DRHBA, along with BILD, has retained Altus Group to review the background study.

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

Last week, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, delivered the 2023 Provincial Budget entitled, Building a Strong Ontario. The Minister’s Budget speech is here.

In the months leading up to the budget OHBA actively participated in the pre-budget consultation process from late 2022 into 2023 and provided a comprehensive submission to government on key industry priorities that will enable our sector to build the housing choice and supply that Ontarians are counting on. This budget builds upon the provincial government’s latest Housing Supply Action Plan the More Homes Built Faster Act and advances important priorities called for by industry to support new home buyers.

Further to last week’s OHBA news release on the budget, attached you will find the full budget document and below you will find key highlights from the budget which members should be aware of,

Housing and Development

• The Ontario housing market activity continued to moderate through the end of 2022, as the market adjusted to rising interest rates.
• By January 2023, average home resale prices had declined by 21.3 per cent from their February 2022 peak, while the number of home resales was 43.4 per cent lower.
• For 2022, strong early momentum helped average home resale prices rise 6.8 per cent, following 23.6 per cent growth in 2021.
• The number of home resales was 32.3 per cent lower for 2022, following 18.5 per cent growth in 2021.
• Housing market activity is expected to begin to stabilize over the outlook period. The number of Ontario home resales is expected to decline by 8.9 per cent in 2023.
• Home resales are expected to rebound 21.0 per cent in 2024, before returning to levels more consistent with fundamental drivers of housing demand, such as population growth, in 2025 and 2026.
• Average home prices are expected to decline 9.7 per cent in 2023, before prices stabilize and rise 2.2 per cent in 2024 and further rebound in 2025 and 2026.
• The provincial government is continuing to call on the federal government to come to the table on potential Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) relief, including rebates, exemptions, zero‐rating or deferrals, to support new housing and rental development in Ontario.
• • This has the potential to be a highly impactful policy that OHBA called for in our pre-budget submission and we are pleased to see the province take the first steps to work with all levels of government to provide relief to new homebuyers and improve attainability.
• The provincial government has renewed its commitment to enabling the construction of Transit‐Oriented Communities
• • Work is already underway to deliver on the Transit‐Oriented Communities at eight future stations along the new Ontario Line and Yonge North Subway Extension, creating over 73,000 new jobs and approximately 48,000 new residential units.
  • The government is engaging with municipalities and building partners to explore new funding avenues to deliver cost‐efficient transit solutions for commuters.
  • For example, the value created through the Transit‐Oriented Communities at the future Bridge and the High Tech stations will help build a new station at Royal Orchard along the Yonge North Subway Extension.
  • The government is preparing for the selection of building partners for Transit‐Oriented Communities sites at future stations along the new subway lines, such as Corktown, Queen‐Spadina, King‐Bathurst and Exhibition stations.
  • Building partners have been found for several future stations, with the government signing an agreement in April 2022 for a Transit‐Oriented Community at the future East Harbour Transit Hub.
  • The planned 38‐acre East Harbour site will include the creation of a major employment centre, new residential and commercial space, community amenities and parkland, as well as affordable housing.  

Skilled Trades & Apprenticeships

• Ontario requires about 72,000 additional construction workers by 2027 to meet its goal of reaching 1.5 million homes built by 2031.
• To help workers and job seekers, including apprentices, get the skills they need to take on new opportunities and advance in their careers, the government is enhancing the Skills Development Fund with an additional $75 million over the next three years. Since 2020, the government has invested close to $700 million in the Skills Development Fund to support those who face barriers in employment. To date, the government has delivered over 388 training projects to help more than 393,000 workers including carpenters, plumbers and health care workers take the next step in their careers within in‐demand industries.  
• • OHBA’s highly successful Job Ready program that helps introduce young people to rewarding careers in the skilled trades has been supported by the Skills Development Fund in the past and we will continue to push for this support in the future to help get more young people into rewarding skilled trade careers.
  • Over 200 participants have taken part in the Job Ready Program since its inception.
  • Over 50% of those have already moved onto higher paying positions.
• To help address the ongoing labour shortages and support economic growth, Ontario is investing an additional $25 million over three years to attract more skilled workers, including in‐demand professionals in the skilled trades, through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. This program is focused on nominating applicants for permanent residency who have the skills and experience to support Ontario’s ambitious Plan to Build.
• The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) continues to grow over time, with Ontario’s allocation of nominations increasing from 6,500 in 2017 to over 18,000 by 2025. Ontario continues to work with the Government of Canada to attract more skilled newcomers to support economic growth and fill targeted labour market gaps across the province, particularly in the skilled trades.

•  

Transportation and Infrastructure

• The province is investing $184.4 billion over the next decade and $20.6 billion in 2023–24 in capital infrastructure.
• Key highlights in the capital plan include $27.9 billion over 10 years to support the planning and/or construction of highway expansion and rehabilitation projects across the province. New highway infrastructure is crucial to supporting new housing supply in communities across Ontario. Key projects include,
• • Highway 413, a new 400‐series highway and transportation corridor across Halton, Peel and York regions that will bring relief to the most congested corridor in North America and save drivers up to 30 minutes each way on their commute.
  • Bradford Bypass, a new four‐lane freeway connecting Highway 400 in Simcoe County and Highway 404 in York Region, saving motorists and commercial truck drivers up to approximately 35 minutes in travel time compared to using existing routes along local roads.
• $70.5 billion over 10 years for public transit with a variety of projects underway, including:  
• Transforming the GO Transit rail network into a modern, reliable and fully integrated rapid transit network. GO Expansion will improve access and convenience across the Greater Golden Horseshoe by steadily increasing service with faster trains, more stations and better connections.
• Making investments to expand GO Transit rail service to Bowmanville and the Niagara Region.
• Awarding two major contracts and releasing two Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for the Ontario Line, which will provide rapid transit between Exhibition/Ontario Place and the Ontario Science Centre and connect more than 40 other transit routes, including GO train lines, subway and streetcar lines and the Eglinton Crosstown.
• Beginning tunnelling for the three‐stop Scarborough Subway Extension from Kennedy Station to Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road and awarding the contract for design and construction of new underground stations with bus terminals.
• Continuing tunnelling on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.
• Purchasing three new trainsets to restore the Northlander passenger rail service to provide a safe and reliable transportation option for Northern communities.
• Making progress on delivering fast, reliable transit, including the Hazel McCallion Line and Finch West Light Rail Transit projects.

 

 

The Region of Durham has released its Development Charge Background Study.

The Region is proposing to increase the development charge fee for a single detached from $40,529 (as of January 1, 2023) to $79,033, an increase of $38,504 or 95%.

As Bill 23 requires that new Development Charge fees be phased in, the proposed rate for a single detached unit for July 1, 2023 is $65,896. 

The Proposed Residential Development Charges Full Calculated Rate is here:

For comparison, the table below shows the rate per unit type in 2018 and in 2023:

Important dates:

• April 12, 2023 - Statutory Public Meeting
• April - May 2023 - Bylaw revisions (if necessary)
• May 5, 2023 - Last day for public comments
• June 14, 2023 - Bylaw goes to Regional Council

In addition, the new proposed DC bylaw seeks to reduce the redevelopment credit time frame from 10 years to 5 years.

DRHBA and BILD have partnered to hire Altus Group to review the background study and provide feedback.

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

Now that the finalists for DRHBA's 2023 Awards of Excellence have been released, it's time to vote for this year's People's Choice Award winner!  The nominees are the finalists from DRHBA's "Outstanding Achievement Awards" categories, including Builder of the Year (Large & Small Volume), Renovator of the Year, Supplier or Manufacturer of the Year, and Trade of the Year.

This year's nominees are:

• Accubuilt Construction Ltd.
• Coughlan Homes
• Khanani Developments Inc.
• Minto Communities
• Reliance Home Comfort
• Tribute Communities
• Uplynk

DRHBA asks that each person only vote once.

Voting closes on April 21, 2023!

Click here to vote!

Oshawa – March 23, 2023 – The Durham Region Home Builders’ Association (DRHBA) has released the finalists for the 2023 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, May 4^th at 5:30 p.m. at the Towneplace Suites by Marriott, located at 1011 Bloor Street East in Oshawa.  Please click here [hyperlink to be added] to purchase your tickets.  Don’t delay – ticket sales close on April 14, 2023.

If you have any questions regarding DRHBA’s Awards of Excellence, please contact Stacey at s.hawkins@drhba.com or 905-579-8080 ext. 2.

This year’s finalists include:

Sales & Marketing Finalists

Excellence in Digital Advertisement

• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony
• Tribute Communities – VUPOINT

Excellence in Interior Decorating

• Atria Development – 80 Bond Suite F1
• In2ition Realty – The Grand at Universal City
• Khanani Developments Inc. – Whitby Manor Model Home

Excellence in Logo Design

• COOLAID Studios – Trulife - Whitby Grove
• Jeffery Homes – VIEWS by Jeffery Homes
• Tribute Communities – VUPOINT

Excellence in New Homes Sales Office

• In2ition Realty – The Grand at Universal City
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony
• Tribute Communities - VUPOINT

Excellence in Sales Brochure Design

• Atria Development – 80 Bond Marketing Brochure
• Khanani Developments Inc. – Whitby Manor
• Tribute Communities – VUPOINT

Excellence in Signage

• Esquire Homes – Meadowtowns
• Khanani Developments Inc. – Whitby Manor

Excellence in Social Media

• Atria Development – 80 Bond
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony
• Tribute Communities – VUPOINT

Excellence in Website Design

• Atria Development – 80 Bond Website
• COOLAID Studios – Trulife – Whitby Grove Website
• Tribute Communities – Tribute Communities

Finalists – New Home Design - Custom

Excellence in Custom Built Bathroom Design

• A&R Development Group Ltd. – Rosebank Custom Build
• Ian Robertson Design – Montgomery Farmhouse

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

• Andelwood Homes – The Andorra
• Construct & Conserve Building Inc. – Charles Tilley Custom Home – credit to: Cassidy + Company and Fourteen Estates
• Jeffery Homes – Somerville Residence

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

• A&R Development Group Ltd. – Rosebank Custom Build
• LCM Project Management & General Contracting – Mellings Masterpiece

Excellence in Custom Built Kitchen Design

• A&R Development Group Ltd. – Rosebank Custom Build
• Ian Robertson Design – Island for Days

Finalists – New Home Design – Production

Excellence in Back-to-Back Townhome

• Cassidy + Company – The Acadia – credit to: The Sorbara Group
• Cassidy + Company – The Dryden – credit to: The Sorbara Group
• Cassidy + Company – The Sussex – credit to: The Sorbara Group

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

• Atria Development – 80 Bond Building Design – credit to: WSP Canada Inc.
• Tribute Communities – VUPOINT

Excellence in Multi-Unit Suite Design

• To be revealed at the Awards

Excellence in Production Built Bathroom Design

• To be revealed at the Awards

Excellence in Production Built Home Under 2,000 sq.ft.

• Cassidy + Company – The Homewood – credit to: Delpark Homes
• Cassidy + Company – The Talbot – credit to: Delpark Homes
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony - credit to: RN Design

Excellence in Production Built Home 2,001 – 3,000 sq.ft.

• Cassidy + Company – The Pernhill – credit to: Delpark Homes
• Khanani Developments Inc. – Lot 12 Subdivision Home
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony – credit to: RN Design

Excellence in Production Built Home 3,001 – 4,000 sq.ft.

• Construct & Conserve Building Inc. – Pogmore Residence – credit to: Cassidy + Company
• Holland Homes – 777 Adelaide
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony – credit to: RN Design

Excellence in Production Built Kitchen Design

• Holland Homes – 777 Adelaide
• Khanani Developments Inc. – Lot 12 Kitchen
• Khanani Developments Inc. – Lot 3 Kitchen

Excellence in Semi-Detached or Townhome under 2,000 sq.ft.

• Coughlan Homes – The Ess
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony – credit to: RN Design

Excellence in Semi-Detached or Townhome Over 2,000 sq.ft.

• Coughlan Homes – The Wick
• Holland Homes – 132 A/B Elgin
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony – credit to: RN Design

Finalists – RenoMark Home Renovator Awards

Excellence in Bathroom Renovation

• Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Coronation
• Wiltshire Homes – Project Elle Bathroom Renovation

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition Over $250,001

• Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Coronation
• Kooger Construction – In-Law Suite
• Paradisaic Building Group – Courtice Home Transformation

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition Under $250,000

• Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Palace
• Wiltshire Homes – Project Elle Renovation and Addition

Excellence in Kitchen Renovation

• Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Coronation
• Kooger Construction – Project 51
• Paradisaic Building Group – Whitby Kitchen Transformation

Excellence in Unique Space

• Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Camber
• Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Solina

Outstanding Achievement Awards

Excellence in Training & Development

• Brookfield Residential
• Tribute Communities

Innovation of the Year

• Render Developments – Northwood Tour
• Uplynk – The Uplynk Alexa Home

Sales Team of the Year

• In2ition Realty – In2ition Realty for The Grand at Universal City Condos
• PMA Brethour Real Estate Corporation Inc. – Sorbara – Homeward Hills – Christine Doan & Susan Mazzotta-Dennehy
• Tribute Communities – VUPOINT – Rhonda Simcoe, Julie Corby & Dina Poulos

Supplier of the Year

• To be revealed at the Awards

Trade of the Year

• To be revealed at the Awards

Renovator of the Year

• To be revealed at the Awards

Corporate Citizenship

• Brookfield Residential
• Minto Communities
• Tribute Communities

Community of the Year

• Coughlan Homes – Enclave
• Minto Communities – The Heights of Harmony – credit to: RN Design
• Tribute Communities – U.C./U.C. Towns/U.C. Towers

Green Builder of the Year

• Brookfield Residential – credit to: Cassidy + Company
• Minto Communities

Builder of the Year – Small Volume

• To be revealed at the Awards

Builder of the Year – Large Volume

• Coughlan Homes
• Minto Communities
• Tribute Communities

The Durham Region Home Builders' Association is excited to announce that through a partnership with the Canadian Home Builders' Association and the Region of Durham, we are offering a free training opportunity specifically for renovators!

The training includes Advanced Building Science, followed by Net Zero Renovator Bootcamp.  Typically these courses would cost several thousand dollars to attend, but we are able to offer them for free this one time only, so we hope you take advantage of this opportunity!

The Advanced Building Science course will be held virtually.  The course is two half days, and will be held in the afternoon on Wednesday, February 22 and Thursday, February 23, 2023.  The content will be delivered through EnerQuality, and the trainer is Stephen Magneron of Homesol.  The course is the prerequisite to the Net Zero Renos Bootcamp.  

Register here for Advanced Building Science

The Net Zero Renos Bootcamp will be held in-person at Deer Creek in Ajax.  The course is two full days and will run on Wednesday, March 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, March 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Participants who complete the course will receive their Net Zero Renovator certificates.  

Participants must complete the Advanced Building Science course in order to attend the Net Zero Renos Bootcamp.

Register here for Net Zero Renovator Bootcamp

The Town of Ajax is currently undergoing a development application fees review.

On February 9, Watson & Associates provided a presentation to stakeholders to review the process used and the proposed new rates.

Comments will be received until February 27, 2023.

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

The Region of Durham has released the draft new Regional Official Plan (ROP), which is culmination of work completed through Envision Durham, the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of Durham's ROP.

The draft new ROP addresses a wide variety of strategic land use planning and development matters.  Envision Durham also represents the Region's provincially mandated exercise to ensure that the ROP conforms with provincial plans or does not conflict with them; has regard to matters of provincial interest; and is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement.

Once adopted by Regional Council, the amendment will be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs for approval under Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990.

In addition, the Region has released draft mapping for the new ROP:

• Map 1 - Regional Structure - Urban & Rural Systems
• Map 2 - Greenlands System
• Map 3 - Transportation System
• Map 4 - Aggregate Resources

The deadline for comments on the draft ROP and the maps is April 3, 2023.

A public open house will be held on March 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the main atrium at the Durham Regional Headquarters at 605 Rossland Road East in Whitby.

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

As approved by Report CF-23-02 on January 9, 2023, City staff are looking to receive feedback from the public and industry stakeholders on the proposed Community Benefits Charge (C.B.C.) Strategy.

The Community Benefits Charge is a new charge that can be collected by municipalities to ensure funding is available for a range of community services that are needed due to growth. The C.B.C. can be collected on high-density development and redevelopment of five or more storeys with ten or more residential units. Certain types of development, such as long-term care homes and hospices, retirement homes, universities, colleges and Indigenous Institutes, as well as not-for-profit housing, are exempt from the C.B.C.

In order to impose and collect the charges, the City needed to complete a C.B.C. Strategy and By-law, which provides details of the City’s increased capital needs and services based on eligible development.

The following capital needs and services are included in the City of Oshawa’s Proposed C.B.C. Strategy:

• Development Charges Services Becoming Ineligible - Municipal Parking; and,
• Other Capital Needs including C.B.C. Strategies, Solid Waste Management Services, Library Services, Animal Control, By-law Services, Economic Development, Information Technology and Workforce Strategic Planning.

The Proposed C.B.C. fee is shown in the following table.

Schedule “A” Community Benefits Charges

Development Type	C.B.C. per Dwelling Unit
2 Bedroom +	$147
Bachelor & 1   Bedroom	$90

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