BUILDING DURHAM

In November, the Durham Region Home Builders' Association will be hosting their Annual General Meeting and electing their board of directors for the 2023-2025 term. 

The following positions are available for election:

• Six (6) Builder/Renovator directors
• Two (2) Trade Contractor directors
• One (1) Supplier directors
• Two (2) Professional directors

Elected directors will serve a two year term.

DRHBA's top priority is advocacy work for the building industry as a whole.  We also provide networking opportunities and great events for our members.  We are looking for individuals who are willing to share their time, knowledge and experience to further the interests of the building community.  We believe that each director brings a unique skill set and perspective to the table.

Directors will be required to attend four board meetings per year (November, February, May and September), and will be asked to join one of our committees.  We ask that you share your time and expertise, whether that means managing a GR file, speaking at a public meeting or helping to plan one of our gala events. 

As a director, you will be representing the Durham Region Home Builders' Association.  You will be expected to attend most of our events, including member events, seminars, the Awards of Excellence, President's Ball and golf tournament.

Being on the Durham Region Home Builders' Association's board of directors is a great way to help shape the industry, steer the direction of the Association, network, get more involved and stay informed on what's going on in the building world.

If you are interested in becoming a director, please forward your nomination form to Stacey at s.hawkins@drhba.com by Wednesday, August 16, 2023.  All forms will be forwarded to the nominations committee for review.  If there are more qualified applicants than positions available, an election will be held at the Annual General Meeting in November.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to provide a bio and photograph to be published in an upcoming news bulletin.

If you have any questions, please contact Stacey at 905-579-8080 ext. 2 or s.hawkins@drhba.com.

Download nomination form.

The Region of Durham released the Recommended Official Plan  earlier this year and received feedback from interested stakeholders and the public.  

Recommendations on the New Regional Official Plan will be brought to a Special Meeting of Regional Council on May 17, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

Regional staff are recommending that Regional Council adopt the final draft ROP and direct staff to forward the new ROP to the province for approval.

If you have any comments, please direct them to Stacey to be included in DRHBA's correspondence to the Region.

Last month, the Region of Durham has released its Development Charge Background Study, which contained a substantial increase to the current charges (average of 100% increase - depending on housing type).

DRHBA and BILD hired Altus Group to review the background study.  On May 2, our correspondence was submitted to the Region.

DRHBA and BILD have also retained SCS Consulting to review the water, sewer and roads component of the new DC bylaw.

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

On Thursday, May 18, 2023, Report SF-23-18 - Proposed Policy Options for the Residential Rental Housing Licensing Program and Other Rental Housing Regulatory Considerations will be brought to Oshawa's Safety and Facilities Services Committee.

Last year, DRHBA submitted correspondence to the City of Oshawa based on members' comments.

The Safety and Facilities Services Committee will be considering four policy options related to the Residential Rental Housing Licensing (RRHL) Program and other rental housing regulatory considerations.

DRHBA is currently collecting feedback from members to form a submission to the City.  Please send your comments to Stacey.

The Municipality of Clarington Building Division will be hosting a Builder/Developers Workshop May 26th, 9:30 am, at The Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex.
2440 Highway 2, Bowmanville, ON L1C 0K6
Map this Location

Agenda Includes a Discussion On:

·         The New Planning & Infrastructure Department

·         OBC Amendments

·         Permit Fee Review Update

·         Housing Pledge

·         More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022

·         Ontario Regulation 73/23 - Municipal Planning Data Reporting

·         Update on Secondary Plans

·         Active Transportation and Wayfinding Master Plan

·         Road Needs Study

·         Economic Development

A Continental Breakfast Will Be Provided Please RSVP by May 5th to 

buildingpermits@clarington.net

At the April 3, 2023 Oshawa Council meeting, Council voted in favour of Report – CF-23-18- Community Benefit Charge Strategy Feedback (All Wards).  By passing this report, Oshawa has approved their Community Benefit Charge (CBA) with an effective date of May 1, 2023.

The City of Oshawa’s Community Benefit Charge Strategy was outlined in Report CF-23-02 Community Benefit Charge Strategy. 

The CBC Strategy, prepared by Watson & Associates, showed that Oshawa anticipates collecting approximately $392,000 over the next 10-year period.  The charge will be applied as follows:

• 2 bedroom + - $147.00
• Bachelor and 1 bedroom - $90.00

The Regional Municipality of Durham has scheduled a Special Meeting of Durham Regional Council to consider adoption of the recommended final draft of the Regional Official Plan (ROP).  The new ROP is the culmination of work completed through Envision Durham, the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of Durham's existing ROP.

Materials to be considered at the Special Meeting, including the recommended final draft ROP, will be available to the public no later than May 3 at durham.ca/EnvisionDurham.  

This special meeting is open to the public and is being held to discuss the final revisions addressed through Envision Durham.  The ROP addresses a wide variety of strategic land use planning and development matters.  It 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.  This special meeting is a follow-up to the Public Open House and Public Meeting held in March 2023 for the draft new ROP.  The draft new ROP was released on February 10 with a consultation period that concluded on April 3.

It is anticipated that a decision on the recommended final draft ROP will take place at this Special Meeting of Council.  Once adopted by Regional Council, the adopted ROP will be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs for approval under Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990.

The meeting will be held on May 17, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers at Durham Region Headquarters (605 Rossland Road East in Whitby).  Participants may also view the meeting remotely at durham.ca/live.

If you wish to make a delegation before Council, please submit your request in writing to delegations@durham.ca by noon on Monday, May 15, 2023.

In accordance with a Council resolution in May 2022, the City of Pickering is updating its Tree Protection Bylaw to provide greater protection to more trees in Pickering. At this time, the City’s Tree Protection By-law only covers trees within “Environmentally Sensitive Areas,” identified as the Tree Protection Area in Schedule A of By-law 6108/03.  

As a result, trees within Shorelines and Stream Corridors, Wetlands Oak Ridges Moraine Area and Environmentally Significant Areas measuring 25 millimetres (approximately 1 inch) or greater are regulated. The City’s current Tree Protection By-law Screening Areas cover approximately 38% of the total land area of the City. This leaves approximately 62% of the City’s land area outside of the Tree Protection By-law Screening Areas that are not protected.

The tree canopy and urban forest improve air quality by intercepting and absorbing airborne pollutants. Trees also reduce local air temperature due to the shading effects and in turn lower temperatures within the City and reduce the urban heat island effect. A few other benefits associated with protecting trees are to decrease the volume of storm water run-off and soil erosion, and they contribute to the visual appearance and character of a place.

As part of this project, the City would like to engage with a wide range of stakeholders to better understand how well the current Tree Protection By-law is working, what their experiences have been in applying the current by-law, and to receive feedback on how to improve the by-law. This is an important opportunity for communities, organizations, businesses and professionals to discuss protecting the City’s tree canopy and urban forest.

You are invited to join their Virtual Meeting on Thursday April 13^th from 6:00 pm to 7:30pm. 

For more information on the City’s Tree Protection By-law and a number of upcoming engagement opportunities provided during Earth Month, please visit the project website at: letstalkpickering.ca/trees.

An on-line survey is also active on the project website from April 3rd – 30th, 2023 to garner more feedback.

On Thursday, April 6, 2023, the provincial government introduced Bill 97: Helping Homebuyers and Protecting Tenants Act. 

A portion of the Act focuses on helping tenants and landlords.  Here are some highlights of the Helping Tenants and Landlords section of the Act:

Clearing the Landlord and Tenant Backlog

• Adding an additional $6.5 million to appoint 40 additional full-time adjudicators (more than doubling the current number) to improve service standards for landlords and tenants and reduce active applications and decision timeframes.
• Reviewing the current processes to find operational efficiencies.
• Exploring ways to expand hearing hours and scheduling flexibility.
• Providing adjudicators with enhanced training to support efficient file and hearing management.
• Modernizing the Tribunals Ontario Case Management System

Access to Air Conditioning

The provincial government is proposing to clarify and enhance tenants' rights to install window or portable air conditioning in their units.  Included in this proposal is:

• Landlords would be prohibited from refusing to allow tenants to install air conditioning units in their apartments, providing the following conditions are met:

1. Renters would have to notify their landlord in writing that they intend to install an air conditioner.
2. The air conditioner would have to be installed safely and securely without causing damage.
3. Installation would have to comply with any applicable laws, including municipal bylaws, and any prescribed rules.
4. Tenants would be responsible for any costs associated with the installation.
5. Renters would be required to inform their landlord about their air conditioner's energy efficiency and how much they anticipate using it.
6. If the landlord pays for electricity, they would be allowed to charge a seasonal fee based on the actual electricity cost or an estimate based on the information provided by the tenant.

Reinforcing Rules Against Evictions

The provincial government is proposing to tighten the rules surrounding evicting a tenant in order to perform renovations.  Under the Act, landlords would be required to provide:

• A report from a qualified person (to be defined in future regulation) stating that the unit must be vacant for renovations to take place and an estimated completion date.
• Updates on the status of the renovations in writing where the tenant has indicated their intention to return to the unit when renovations are complete and give them a 60-day grace period to move back in after the renovations are complete.

The province is also extending the period of time that tenants can apply to the LTB for a remedy if the landlord doesn't allow the tenant to move back in at the same rent once renovations are complete to two years after moving out or six months after renovations are complete - whichever is longer.

Eviction Protections

The Act is also proposing to further strengthen protections for tenants who may be facing eviction because the landlord or their family member wants to move in.  When evicting a tenant to use the unit themselves or for their family, landlords or their family members would be required to move into the unit by a specific deadline, to be defined in a future regulation.

Doubling Fines Under the RTA

The government is also proposing to double the maximum fines for offences under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), such as bad faith evictions.

• Individuals - from $50,000 to $100,000
• Corporations - from $250,000 to $500,000

Ontario's fines for residential tenancy offences are the highest in Canada.

Rent Arrears Repayment Agreement

Tenants may enter into a repayment agreement with their landlord to pay the rent they owe and avoid eviction when they are in arrears of rent.  To make it easier for both tenants and landlords, the Act is proposing to require the use of the LTB's plain language repayment agreement form.  This form helps landlords and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities and the rental rules that apply should the agreement be breached.

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.