On-farm special events subject to a new licensing by-law
Farmers who want to diversify their business and host on-farm special events such as weddings will now require a municipal business licence in addition to a Zoning By-law amendment and site plan approval for their property. As part of the Zoning By-law amendment application, the Municipality will consider any special rules regarding the hours of operation, frequency of events, and maximum attendance. Each business licence will be subject to a $250 fee. During the public consultation, the Municipality received a large response from farmers and residents. Council carefully considered all input and feedback before making deciding to enact the new licensing by-law.
For more information, read Report LGS-012-21, and its subsequent update Reports LGS-016-21 and LGS-018-21
Clarington send a clear message: there’s no room for hate, hate symbols or hate speech in Clarington
Clarington Council is sending a clear message that hate in all its forms and symbols is not welcome in our community. Council is requesting that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) petition the Provincial Government to enact legislation that would provide all Ontario municipalities with enforceable powers to remove symbols of hate from their communities. Council is asking that the Province review any statutes that identify hate speech and hate symbols as illegal. Clarington also supports a motion made by the Town of Collingwood prompting the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to ask the Federal Government to develop robust legislation strengthening the definition of hate speech and symbols. The legislation should be explicit and recognize the psychological harm that can be caused by hateful symbols. It should include provisions that all levels of government work on addressing the root causes of hate speech.
Council has also tasked Clarington Staff to work with its Diversity Advisory Committee to develop an anti-racism policy that would apply to all Staff, members of Council, and all visitors to Municipal facilities and spaces. Once adopted, the Policy will be posted in all Municipal buildings, laying out Clarington’s expectations and creating a safe space so that all community members, regardless of their background, feel safe and respected. Clarington will also partner with the Diversity Advisory Committee to draft a statement sharing some context on this issue while making it clear that the promotion of hatred through speech, symbols and actions is not welcome in our community.
Read Report CSD-002-21 for more information.
Council asks the Province to make COVID-19 rapid test kits available to the public
In response to a petition made by two business owners, Clarington Council is asking the Province of Ontario and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to expand its COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative to business customers. Currently, the Provincial initiative provides free rapid antigen tests to small and medium-sized businesses through participating local chambers of commerce and other organizations for employee use only. When administered to workers, the tests produce results in just 15 minutes and can identify asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases of COVID-19 that may have otherwise gone undetected. Clarington is willing to become a pilot community to allow the Province to expand rapid test kits and see how the program would work. Council also expressed its support for the Clarington Board of Trade (CBOT), who is helping distribute some 15,000 COVID-19 rapid testing kits to small and medium-sized businesses across the Municipality as part of the program.
For more information, read Resolution #C-183-21.
Council paves the way for new growth in Clarington by supporting two Secondary Plans that will guide new development
Council has endorsed two secondary plan policies that will guide growth in Clarington to support our booming community, maintain neighbourhood-oriented development and protect our green space. The Southwest Courtice and Brookhill Secondary Plans were endorsed by Council and have been sent to the Region of Durham for approval. The Southwest Courtice Secondary Plan spans an area of 216 hectares of land bordering Bloor Street in the north, Robinson Creek to the east, Townline Road South in the west and Highway 401 to the south. About half of the land has already been developed under the existing Secondary Plan completed in 1996. The remainder of the land will be redesignated from its current employment designation to residential. The Southwest Courtice Secondary Plan contains significant green spaces included in Robinson Creek and its associated tributaries and valley lands. These watercourses and their associated woodlots and wetlands guide the structure of the Secondary Plan layout. The highest density development is proposed along Bloor Street. The Brookhill Secondary Plan spans 300 hectares bordering Concession Road 3 in the north, Bowmanville Creek in the east, the Bowmanville West Urban Centre Secondary Plan area in the south and the Bowmanville Urban Boundary in the west. Both of these plans will allow for high and medium-density development, with the highest concentrations located along Clarington’s major transportation corridors. These plans will protect the green space and also provide for a variety of housing types, including affordable housing. The diversity of housing included in these plans would allow seniors who wish to downsize their homes with the opportunity to live in the area and remain close to their families. It would also provide housing options for younger people who are seeking to buy a new home.
For more information, read Reports PDS-027-21 and PDS-028-21.
The next Council Meeting is on Monday, June 14, 2021.
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