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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-110-96THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON DN:OHAP.GPA REPORT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File # r vo Date: Tuesday, July 2, 1996 Res. _�� Report #: PD- 110 -96 File #: PLN 20.1 • • Cffro "I . .� By -law #. Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD- 110 -96 be received; 2. THAT all interested parties and delegations be advised of Council's decision. 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Mr. and Mrs. Racansky appeared before Council at the April 15, 1996 meeting to convey their concerns with respect to a number of items ranging from the new policies of the Ontario Provincial Government, the Ministries of Natural Resources, Environment and Energy and the Conservation Authorities and their involvement in the preservation of the natural environment, to the Municipality's need for a tree cutting by -law and soil removal by -law. In addition, the status of the Municipality's OHAP agreements was requested. A written summary of the concerns and issues they raised was provided. 1.2 Council, in light of the Racansky's delegation, endorsed the following resolution: THAT the delegation of Libby and Stan Racansky be acknowledged; THAT their concerns be referred to the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Planning and Development for review; and REPORT • PD-110-96 THAT Mr. and Mrs. Racansky be advised that a report will be forthcoming on the possibility of the Municipality passing a tree cutting by -law and a soil removal by -law." 1.3 In consideration of the time that is contemplated in examining and reporting back to Council on the possibilities of passing a tree cutting by -law and soil removal by -law, it is staff's opinion that it would be prudent at this time to address the Racansky's concerns with respect to the Ontario Housing Action Program (OHAP) and provide Council with a brief update on this matter. 2. HISTORY OF THE ONTARIO HOUSING ACTION PROGRAM (OHAP) 2.1 In 1977, the Municipality entered into two agreements with the Ministry of Housing through the Ontario Housing Action Program (OHAP), to provide housing in the Courtice Urban Area. The first agreement provided the Municipality with a grant to aid in the "costs associated" with developing housing units. The second agreement provided for an interest free loan for the provision of storm sewer works in the Courtice Urban Area to drain two drainage areas including the two Courtice Heights Plans of Subdivision (18T -76027 and 18T- 76048). 2.2 In 1983, under the Ontario Home Assistance Program, the Municipality received from the Ministry of Housing, an interest free loan in the amount of $350,000.00 The loan was advanced to the Municipality as an incentive to growth in the area by facilitating the construction of the external stormwater drainage facilities. The terms and conditions of the Subdivision Agreements entered into by the Municipality and the Developers - Newcastle Co- Tenancy, addressed the necessary repayment schedule of the loan amount. 3. STAFF COMMENTS 3.1 The total monies received by the Municipality which formed the basis for the Courtice OHAP Reserve Fund, have been used not only to finance the initial 599016 commitment of the "associated costs" with developing housing units in the Courtice Urban Area and the Courtice Area Storm Sewer Project but also for the mutual benefit of other projects approved by Council. An example of the various projects would include the consulting costs of the 1988 Courtice dewatering program, the purchase of a fire pumper for the Courtice Fire Hall in 1988, the construction of the Enniskillen Fire Hall in 1990/91 and the Courtice Feasibility Study undertaken in 1990. Additionally, monies were set aside for the Municipality's Waterfront Study in 1991 and the Courtice Complex in 1992. 3.2 The Treasury Department has continually monitored throughout the years the status of the Courtice OHAP Reserve Fund, taking into account the interest revenue, the applicable loan repayment schedules and the various expenditures that have been approved by the Council of the day. In light of the number of projects that have been undertaken over the years, the Treasury Department advises that the balance of the OHAP Fund at the end of 1995 was approximately three thousand ($3,000.00) dollars and has been forecasted to have a closing balance of zero dollars at the end of 1996. Additionally, Staff would note that the necessary arrangements are in place to repay all loans notwithstanding the balance of the OHAP Fund. 3.3 The preparation of this report, with the assistance of the staff of the Treasury Department was not intended to be a financial accounting of the expenditures of the Courtice OHAP Funds, as this function has been carried out by the Treasury Department, but rather a status report of the evolution of the Courtice OHAP Funds, highlighting the major projects for which the funds have been slated. 3.4 With respect to the Racansky's concerns pertaining to the costs associated with any future development in the Courtice Urban Areas, specifically the northern portions, staff would note that the Municipality has the necessary planning tools 599017 ••• • in place through the Council- adopted Official Plan, as well as through the implementation of the Municipality's Development Charge By -law, to ensure that the Municipality's best interests and "costs associated" with development are adequately addressed. Any development project(s) not incorporated in the Municipality's Development Charge By -law would not only require the appropriate planning approvals of the Municipality, but also the appropriate funding would have to be provided by the Developer before it would be permitted to proceed. Respectfully submitted, Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning and Development LT *FW *df 25 June 1996 Reviewed by, X I// I'll A1 i W.H. Stockwell Chief Administrative Officer Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision: Mr. and Mrs. S. Racansky 3200 Hancock Road Courtice, Ontario, L1 E 2M1