Council Highlights from the December 12, 2022 meeting

Council comments on Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act

Clarington Council made several comments to the Province on the changes in the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. Council noted that the changes would significantly reduce municipal collections from developers for critical infrastructure, such as roads and parks. A larger burden of growth-related infrastructure costs will shift to the existing property tax base. Council raised concerns that there is also nothing in the Act to guarantee that an increase in housing supply will mean an increase in affordability for homebuyers. Clarington will send the comments to the Provincial Government and work with other municipalities, the Region of Durham, and others to develop a plan to mitigate the impacts on the quality of life in the community.

Clarington takes ground-breaking step to create more affordable housing

The Municipality of Clarington became the first municipality in the province to request a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) order to fast-track new affordable housing. On Monday, December 12, Clarington Council voted to request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to expedite the zoning for 200 Baseline Road in Bowmanville to permit 32 affordable townhouses and an accessible three-storey apartment building with 52 units for low and moderate-income households and local seniors.

Clarington Garden Party Gala raised $39,500 for the arts community

Mayor Adrian Foster presented more than $39,500 to support the arts in Clarington. The funds are the proceeds of the 2022 Clarington Garden Party Gala, a celebration of the vibrant local arts community held in June on the beautiful grounds of the Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre in Bowmanville.

The Clarington Garden Party Gala supported two not-for-profit agencies: the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) and A Gift of Art. VAC Executive Director Dionne Powlenzuk and A Gift of Art Director Ann Harley were each presented with cheques for $19,788.51 from the successful summer gala.

Clarington to cover insurance costs for outdoor skating rinks

Clarington Council voted to cover the cost of general liability insurance for the volunteers who set up community outdoor skating rinks. Interested volunteer groups must provide proof of insurance naming Clarington as an additional insured. Now the cost of insurance will be reimbursed to the volunteers once the rink set-up is complete and all required maintenance practices have been established. The cost for reimbursement is estimated to be $1,400 for each rink. A total of four outdoor skating rink applications are expected this winter.

2023 interim tax levy approved

Council approved the 2023 Interim Tax By-law. An interim tax levy provides cash flow to the Municipality in the first half of the year until the final taxes can be levied in June and September.

Instalment due dates for 2023 property taxes are February 16, April 20, June 22, and September 21.

New for 2023, all property tax classes will have the same instalment due dates. There will no longer be separate instalment dates for residential and commercial properties.

Deadline to apply for community funding extended

The Community Funding Program gives Clarington's not-for-profit and volunteer-based organizations opportunities to grow and make a difference in our community, with annual grants of up to $5,000 for either start-up funding, growth funding, or in-kind contributions.

Previously, the intake period for annual applications has been December 1 to 31. The short turnaround time for volunteers to gather the information for the grant was difficult for not-for-profit and volunteer-based organizations. In 2022, they urged Clarington staff to consider extending the deadline. Council approved extending the deadline to January 15, 2023.  

The next Council Meeting is Monday, January 23, 2023.