County Council Reacts to Provincial “Build Homes Act”

Article by Valerie MacDonald News Now Network

Above image: 2014 Google image of the Agri-Food Venture Centre

New provincial legislation being pushed through Queen’s Park under the Build Homes Act could be enacted before the end of a 30-day appeal period that allows the public to raise concerns.

Planning managers like the Northumberland County’s Dwight Campbell and those from other organizations that will be impacted are “still digesting” the proposed sweeping legislation that will make changes to a series of Acts ranging from Planning and Heritage to the Conservation Authorities and Development Charges.

The big impact will be on development charges and the number of exemptions related to affordable housing that will directly impact revenues at the county and municipal levels, Campbell said.

There is also no site plan control under the proposed legislation, with housing developments having fewer than 10 units, plus “no more public consultation” on subdivisions.

Both Warden and Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate and outgoing Alnwick/Haldimand Township Mayor Gail Latchford noted that existing taxpayers will be asked to pay for new housing infrastructure for new residents with this elimination of some development charges.

There will be discussion on this development at the Nov. 9 council session to address “ramming through (this legislation) so quickly,” outgoing committee chair Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson said since the County only received first reading of the act on Oct. 25. Staff is going to report to council about its implications and what lobbying could be done.

And, on the subject of housing, Northumberland County is the overseeing authority for Brighton and Colborne municipalities when reviewing subdivision development sand for OP amendments with two housing projects slated to go to next week’s County Council: Phases 3 & 4 of Applewood Meadows Development on Main Street and Rundle Line where an OP amendment is required; and draft plan approval for a condominium plan at 15 Arthur St.

Brighter news from County Council is that there are new ventures underway at Northumberland County’s Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre in Colborne.

A community market is going to open inside the Purdy Road building for anyone selling foods and products from the community, as well as for clients who develop and produce foods at the Venture Centre. The market will run from September to April, Northumberland County’s economic development director Dan Borowec told a county committee Wednesday.

This inside market project in the north end of Colborne will complement the outdoor market that runs from May to August in downtown Colborne, he said. The market is expected to occupy presently unused space within the centre.

A successful pilot program that has attracted female food entrepreneurs to develop and produce new foods at the Venture Centre has been expanded and is now operating in three other provinces. Presently, the project is seeking 3.5-million in government funding to expand the program nationally. Not only will this raise the profile of the Venture Centre but “create a wave of women (food) entrepreneurs,” Borowec said.

Bob Sanderson noted that the Venture Centre has struggled financially in the past, but now its finances seem to be under control based on the proposed budget for 2023. Originally built to help the agriculture industry in the region and extend the season for fresh foods, its present clients are 30% from the County, 30% from the region and 40% from the GTA, Borowec stated, giving more impetus to requests for upper level government funding.

Bob Crate said he is impressed by both the Venture Centre’s staff and the products produced there which he notes are in local grocery stores. He said that staff have worked hard to reduce the burden on taxpayers by developing self-funding programs and acquiring outside sources of income and funding.

In other committee news, there was an update to members about the proposed film development office project for the County under the leadership of film maker Albert Botha. Work is underway in Eastern Ontario in conjunction with Kingston on this project to bring more film making to the region and benefit from the economic impact of it, Borowec said.

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