Minutes

YORK REGIONAL COUNCIL

Special Meeting

Thursday, February 23, 2023

1:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

• W. Emmerson, 
• R. Bartley (for I. Lovatt), 
• G. Chan, 
• M. Chan, 
• N. Davison, 
• S. Del Duca, 
• J. DiPaola, 
• M. Ferri, 
• V. Hackson, 
• A. Ho, 
• J. Jones, 
• J. Li, 
• I. Lovatt, 
• T. Mrakas, 
• S. Pellegrini, 
• M. Quirk, 
• M. G. Racco, 
• F. Scarpitti, 
• J. Taylor, 
• T. Vegh, 
• and D. West 

Staff:

• B. Macgregor, 
• D. Basso, 
• K. Chislett, 
• P. Freeman, 
• D. Kuzmyk, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• L. Mirabella, 
• and C. Raynor 

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A.

Call to Order

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. and made the following remarks:

"We acknowledge that York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations.

Today this area is home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land.

We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community."

A.1

Declaration of Office - Alternate Member of Regional Council – Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Councillor Richard Bartley, who is the alternate regional representative for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, attended this meeting in place of Mayor Lovatt and orally recited his Declaration of Office.

B.

Disclosures of Interest

None

C.

Presentations

C.1

Working Together to Build More Homes Faster

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor West

  That Council receive the presentation by Paul Freeman, Chief Planner and Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

  Carried

D.

Deputations

None

E.

Communications

E.1

Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 - Additional Information

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor West

  That Council receive the memorandum dated February 3, 2023 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

  Carried

F.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

F.1

Working Together to Build More Homes Faster

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor West

  That Council adopt the following recommendations, as amended, in the report dated February 22, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Planner:

  1. The Province be commended for taking on the challenge of addressing housing supply by seeking to construct 1.5 million homes (180,000 in York Region) over the next ten years as well as streamlining the planning process and, through the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, be requested to:
     
     1. Provide York Region confirmation that it will be made whole financially to pay for necessary infrastructure and community services to support building more homes faster (in York Region’s case between $497 million to $1.6 billion over the next ten years that would otherwise require one-time property tax increases of between 2.3% and 7.3% and one-time water and wastewater rate increases of between 4.9% and 14.3%).
     2. Provide a specific timeline for an exact funding formula for York Region to be made whole.
     3. Enact accountability mechanisms to ensure Development Charge savings are passed along to home purchasers.
     4. Reinstate Housing Services as eligible for funding under the Development Charges Act, 1997.
     5. Define Affordable Housing as outlined in Attachment 1 resulting in greater overall affordability, and consult with municipalities prior to finalizing a definition of Attainable Housing.
  2. Members of the Development and Homebuilding Industry (Building Industry and Land Development Association and Ontario Home Builders Association) be invited to the York Region Housing Affordability Task Force to discuss opportunities outlined in this report and Attachment 1, and other opportunities and challenges to building more homes faster.
  3. The Regional Clerk forward this report and appendices/attachments to the Federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, local Members of Parliament, the Premier, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Finance, Minister of Transportation, local Members of Provincial Parliament, local municipalities, the Building Industry and Land Development Association, and Ontario Home Builders Association to consider the solutions and opportunities outlined in this report and Attachment 1 to build homes faster and address affordability.
  Carried

G.

Private Session

None

H.

Confirmatory Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council enact Bylaw No. 2023-09 to confirm the proceedings of this special meeting of Council held on February 23, 2023.

  Carried

  
  
  
  

                                                             
  Regional Clerk

  
  
  Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on March 23, 2023.

   

                                                             
  Regional Chair

  
  

I.

Adjournment

• Moved by
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Vegh

  That Council adjourn the meeting at 3:05 p.m.

  Carried

  
  
  
  

                                                             
  Regional Clerk

  
  
  Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on March 23, 2023.

   

                                                             
  Regional Chair