Council Highlights from the July 6, 2020 meeting

Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee updates Council on work plan

Clarington Council expressed its full support for the Diversity Advisory Committee while discussing a recent report on committee actions to date. Council approved the Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee in 2018 and the CDAC was established shortly after. To date, the Committee has assisted the Municipality in developing a Land Acknowledgement Statement and has provided advice on issues of racism. CDAC authored a joint statement with the Municipality of Clarington, condemning all forms of racism, especially anti-black racism, following the recent events in the U.S. The Committee is now working to develop a Diversity Lens to help the Municipality see issues from a different perspective. The Lens will assist the Municipality to ensure that diversity is top of mind when Clarington is looking at policy and program development. CDAC is researching examples of Diversity Lens’ developed by other municipalities as it works on a Clarington-specific approach. CDAC has a work plan in place focused on three overarching principles: inform, awareness and engage. The Committee is focused on advising Council and helping to inform decision making through a diversity lens. It also wants to raise awareness of our community differences and strengths and create a safe place where Clarington residents can engage and share ideas.

To support the various Committee initiatives, the Municipality has assigned a dedicated staff member to the Diversity and Inclusion portfolio. Staff have also participated in training and seminars on various topics. Clarington has also partnered with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion to provide staff access to programs, courses and resource support to understand issues of diversity and inclusion as they apply to the workplace and society in general.

Read report COD-007-20 for more information on CDAC.

Clarington Council approves electronic participation in meetings

Council has voted to approve regular electronic participation in meetings beyond the COVID-19 emergency. A new By-law will allow electronic participation for Council and Committee meetings. Resident delegations and presentations during these meetings will also be allowed to proceed electronically, as will meetings of local boards and advisory committees. Committee of Adjustment meetings will be reviewed for electronic participation once the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) reviews its meeting procedures and makes a decision for conducting hearings using electronic means.

During the COIVD-19 pandemic, Clarington staff have been able to adapt and quickly implement new technology to allow for electronic participation so that the business of the Municipality can continue. This decision will allow Council and the Municipality flexibility post-pandemic, and it means that residents will no longer have to attend a meeting in person to have their voices heard. Clarington has taken a big step in modernizing its procedures, and more importantly, allowing electronic public engagement during meetings.

Read report CLD-011-20 for more information.

Clarington is looking into options to stop train whistles at two crossings

Clarington Council has directed Staff to look into a variety of options that would fund the necessary safety improvements needed at the Cobbledick Road and Bennett Road rail crossings to eliminate the train whistles. Wilmot Creek residents have petitioned Council for several years to eliminate the noise pollution associated with the train whistles. The cost of making the rail safety improvements needed to both crossings is outlined in report EDG-013-20 and totals more than $1.3 million for both crossings. This would include improvements to the warning system, which are mandated before Transport Canada would consider train whistle cessation for those crossings. It also includes various other safety measures such as road improvements and fencing.

Clarington staff will apply for funding through Transport Canada’s Rail Safety Improvement Program to help cover the cost of the needed changes. Staff are also looking at options to cover the cost through development charges by adding an area-specific charge to new development planned that may be impacted by train whistles sounding at both the crossings. And, if all else fails, Staff are investigating the possibility of adding a Community Benefits Charge By-law under the Planning Act to pay for the rail crossing improvements. Municipal Staff will report back to Council on September 14 with options to pay for these improvements. Clarington Staff have also been asked to investigate the daily rail traffic in that area and the impact of new development and potential new vehicle traffic that may use the crossings.

For more information on Council’s decision, read the meeting minutes.

Council sets new rules for development in Bowmanville’s established neighbourhoods

Clarington Council has approved an amendment to the Official Plan and various zoning regulations to implement the Neighbourhood Character Study, which will guide development in Bowmanville’s older established areas. The study was conducted to better understand how the character of established residential neighbourhoods may be affected by development and redevelopment. For information on which areas were included in the study, view the detailed study map.

The approved zoning by-law amendment modifies the zoning requirements for new houses and any additions to try and better reflect the older character of the existing area. Some of the changes include:

• reduced building heights;
• increases side yard setbacks for homes larger than 1.5 storeys;
• reduces lot coverage, adding a minimum landscaped open space in the front yard to allow for more green areas and an opportunity for water infiltration;
• allows for attached two-car garages on lots greater than 15 metres wide.

In making these changes, Council also recognized that there may be allowable exemptions. As a result, Council has allowed applications for minor variance to be submitted to the Committee of Adjustment. The Committee will consider how proposals for a potential variance still maintain the intent of the zoning and preserve the character of the area.

The Neighbourhood character study was adopted after extensive public consultation and research.

For more on the study, read report PSD-015-20. Review the Zoning By-Law Amendment.

The next council meeting is Monday, September 21, 2020.