HomeMy WebLinkAboutFSD-011-24Staff Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: March 4, 2024 Report Number: FSD-011-24
Submitted By:
Reviewed By:
Authored By:
File Number:
Report Subject:
Trevor Pinn, Deputy CAO/Treasurer, Finance and Technology
Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number:
Michelle Pick, Accounting Services Manager/Deputy Treasurer
Resolution#: GG-054-24
2023 Annual Statement of Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland
Recommendation:
1.That Report FSD-011-24, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received for information.
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Report FSD-011-24
Report Overview
This report complies with amendments to the Planning Act, 1990 which became effective in
2016. The Smart Growth for Our Communities Act, 2015 requires reporting on Section 37
(Increased Density) and Section 42 (Conveyance of land for park purposes). On Jun e 6,
2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 received Royal Assent. This Act contained
changes to the Development Charges Act and the Planning Act and included the
introduction of the new community benefits charge. In November 2022, the Ontario
Government passed the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 to increase housing supply and
provide attainable housing with significant impacts on Parkland. This report discloses the
annual activity in the Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Reserve Fund for 2023. There is nothing to
report for increased density funds or a community benefits charge, at this time.
1. Background
1.1 In accordance with Section 37 (Increased Density) and Section 42 (Cash-in-Lieu of
Parkland) of the Planning Act, the Treasurer must provide a financial statement
including opening and closing balances to Council relating to cash -in-lieu of parkland
monies and increased density funding. This statement must be made available to the
public.
2. Section 42 - Conveyance of land for park purposes
2.1 Under Section 42 of the Planning Act, a municipality may require, as a condition of
development, that land be conveyed to the municipality for park or other public
recreational purposes. In certain circumstances, Council may require a payment in lieu
of land dedication, to the value of the land otherwise required to be conveyed .
2.2 These funds must be held in a special account (Reserve Fund), allocated interest and
spent only for the acquisition of land to be used for park or other recreational purposes,
including the erection, improvement or repair of buildings and the acquisition of
machinery, particular to park purposes.
2.3 Attachment #1 details the Statement of the Treasurer, in compliance with the Act and
provides the expected future commitments for the reserve fund.
3. Section 37 – Increased Density
3.1 Clarington does not currently have a program set up for Section 37 Community
Benefits; therefore, an annual statement is not required. The current Official Plan
includes Community Benefits policies (Section 23.14 of the OP). Staff will evaluate
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Report FSD-011-24
these policies as part of the next Official Plan review against recent changes to the
Planning Act and as part of the 2024 review of the Development Charges Study.
4. Impact of More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 on Parkland
Dedication
4.1 Highlights of the impacts of the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 on parkland
dedication are outlined below:
Reduction of alternative parkland dedication rates by half (from 1 ha per 300
dwelling units to 1 ha per 600 dwelling units where parkland is conveyed or from 1
ha per 500 dwelling units to 1 per 1000 dwelling units for cash -in-lieu contributions)
and introduction of a maximum parkland/cash-in-lieu cap for residential
development.
Parkland dedication rates frozen as of the date a zoning by-law or site plan
application is filed and maintains the freeze for up to two years following approval.
Allows landowners to identify the land they intend to provide for parkland, including
allowing for encumbered parkland/strata parks, and privately owned publicly
accessible parks, and introduces a new avenue of appeal to the Ontario Land
Tribunal if there is a disagreement about the parkland being provided.
Reduction or exemption of parkland dedication requirements for affordable housing,
attainable housing, and housing developed through an inclusionary zoning program.
5. Financial Considerations
Not Applicable.
6. Strategic Plan
Though not directly related to the specific priorities or actions set out in the Clarington
Strategic Plan 2024-27, the recommendations in this report contribute more broadly to
the following expected results: Finances and operations are efficiently and responsibly
managed.
7. Concurrence
Not Applicable.
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Report FSD-011-24
8. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that this report, as required by Section 42 of the
Planning Act, 1990 be received for information and be made available to the public by
posting on the Municipality’s website.
Staff Contact: Michelle Pick, Accounting Services Manager/Deputy Treasurer, 905-623-3379
ext. 2605 or mpick@clarington.net .
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Cash-In-Lieu of Parkland Reserve Fund as at December 31, 2023
Interested Parties:
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-011-24
Municipality of Clarington
Cash-in-lieu of Parkland Reserve Fund
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Balance as of December 31, 2022 6,874,492
Plus:
2023 Cash-in-lieu Collected 1,219,155
2023 Reserve Fund Interest 155,530
2023 Amount Transferred from Capital Fund – Land
Acquisition -
Less:
2023 Amount Transferred to Capital Fund – Land Acquisition
Costs -
Refund of Residential Parkland Fees 76,000
Closing Balance as of December 31, 2023 8,173,177
Committed Amounts 4,903,900
Available Balance as at December 31, 2023 3,269,277
Municipality of Clarington
Cash-in-lieu of Parkland Reserve Fund – Committed Amounts
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Project Description Period
Amount
Committed
Ward 3 – Park development/acquisition – East
Bowmanville 2025-2030 4,903,900
Total Commitments 4,903,900