Council Highlights from the December 18, 2023 meeting

Clarington meets Provincial housing targets in 2023

The Municipality has met its 2023 target for new housing starts with 953 units, a report from staff highlighted for Council. 

In March 2023, Clarington signed a pledge to support the creation of 13,000 residential units by 2031, as part of the Province’s commitment of 1.5 million new units across Ontario during that period.

By meeting its 2023 target, Clarington is eligible to receive funding from Ontario’s Building Faster Fund (BFF), a new three-year, $1.2 billion program that will provide up to $400 million per year to municipalities that meet or exceed their annual housing targets.

Council directed the funding to the Parks and Infrastructure Fund to support implementation of the recommendations of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan, which will be presented to Council in 2024.

Clarington to conduct a trial ban of rodenticides at Courtice Community Complex

Council has directed staff to initiate a pilot program at Courtice Community Complex that would replace rodenticides with a variety of traps, and report back to Council about the results of the trial. Staff were also directed to continue exploring the option of a ban on rodenticide use at all municipal buildings. Recently Council has heard debate from stakeholders and residents over how best to control rodent infestation while protecting human health, pets, wildlife and the environment.

The Municipality will also develop a strategy to educate residents and business about the potentially harmful impacts of rodenticides and what they can do to prevent rodent infestations in humane, ecologically sustainable ways.

In addition, staff will engage the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, and Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority to comment on the feasibility of a Provincial ban on the use of rodenticides.

On January 1, 2024, the Municipality of Clarington will be taking on the responsibility of consent granting authority for land division—previously a function of the Region of Durham. The Municipality will assume this work with its existing financial and staff resources.

The transition of this authority to the Municipality of Clarington will help strengthen local decision-making and provide opportunities for efficiency in processing consent applications.

Council is taking the lead in improving local cellular service by updating its Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol telecommunications policy. Municipal staff have been directed to explore the option of leasing municipal land and infrastructure to private telecommunications providers to further expand their cellular networks.

The updated protocol outlines the site selection and design guidelines for those providers to install cell towers, with an emphasis on integration with existing and planned land use and minimizing the visual impacts of the towers. It also provides a clear and streamlined process for installing antenna systems to enable the development of high-quality wireless telecommunications coverage across the municipality.

Clarington is responding to the recent changes to local print media availability.

Council has adopted a new, modernized policy to notify residents impacted by municipal decisions. All public notices will now be posted electronically on the Municipality’s website in a dedicated location designated for the giving of public notice, and provided directly by mail or email to affected parties, where appropriate. Notice will also be posted in other print or online media where applicable.

The Municipality is assuming ownership and control of the Lakeview Cemetery in Newtonville, which dates back to the 1830s.

The existing private cemetery board informed staff of their retirement and of a lack of interest in filling their positions. If the cemetery were to become abandoned, responsibility for it would transfer to the Municipality, and transitioning ownership now with the existing Board is a more efficient process. The board will transfer ownership of the cemetery to Clarington on January 1, 2024.

Clarington also maintains five other active non-denominational cemeteries and 33 inactive cemeteries.

Council directed staff to begin the demolition of two recently vacated cottages on West Beach Road in Bowmanville. An inspection by municipal staff concluded that the cottages are unsafe for occupancy and would require extensive repairs to make them safe.

In order to preserve the historical legacy of West Beach, staff will make a digital photographic record of the cottages before their demolition. The record may be used as a reference for incorporating the unique West Beach character into any future development of a waterfront park.

Minutes and video of the December 18 meeting are available here. The next regular Council Meeting is on January 29, 2023.