Whitby Council Highlights - June 2024

Council highlights gives an overview of important decisions, discussions, and agenda items from Whitby Council meetings. The goal is to give residents a snapshot of the meetings. More information, including Council meeting minutes, can be found at whitby.ca/CouncilCalendar

Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing in Downtown Whitby

Council voted June 24 to declare two parcels of land in Downtown Whitby – at Dunlop and Hickory Streets and Hickory and Colborne Streets -- surplus for the purpose of conveying the land to Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area to build approximately 40 affordable housing units. This initiative helps the Town achieve its commitments under the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund and the Town’s Provincial Housing Pledge to facilitate the development of 18,000 homes in Whitby by 2031. Construction on the new affordable housing units is expected to start by 2025.

Naming of Mid-block Arterial Road

Council has approved the name Kent Mills for the new Mid-Block Arterial Road in south Brooklin. The mid-block arterial is a planned urban road that runs from Cochrane Street/Highway 7 to connect with Britannia Road in Oshawa. In September 2020, Council passed a motion that included direction that Council members submit preferred road names to staff for review. Two names, Jim Flaherty and Kent Mills were formally submitted to the Planning and Development Department for consideration. Since then, the name Jim Flaherty was requested and approved by the Abilities Centre to rename a portion of Gordon Street. As a result, Town staff recommended that Council approve the name Kent Mills for the mid-block arterial road. Kent Mills was a flour gristing and chopping mill located on St. Thomas Street in Brooklin from the late 1840s until 1938. It was demolished in 1957.

New policy approved for deputy mayor appointment, responsibilities

Council has adopted a new policy on the responsibilities and appointment of Whitby’s deputy mayor. A Town report that went to Council in May 2024 notes the role of mayor has evolved over the years, most recently with the granting of Strong Mayor Powers by the Province. “In accordance with the changing legislative environment pertaining to the role of the head of Council and the strengthening of mayoral authority, this is an opportune time to reflect on the roles and responsibilities of the mayor, and how they would shape the appointment, role, and responsibilities of the deputy mayor,” the report notes. Under the new policy, all Whitby local and regional councillors are eligible to serve as deputy mayor -- the deputy mayor will be selected by the mayor annually and confirmed by a majority vote of Council.

Official Plan, Zoning By-law amendments approved for Charles Street development

Council has approved an Official Plan amendment, Zoning By-law amendment, and draft plan of subdivision for a development at Charles Street and Watson Street West near the waterfront. The project by Tribute Communities will include a total of 1,639 residential units in four mixed-use towers ranging in height from 28 to 36 storeys as well as a three-to-six-storey podium with commercial space. The Official Plan amendment increases the maximum permitted residential density from 300 to 1,025 units per net hectare and the maximum permitted building height to 36 storeys. A report from Town staff notes the development is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and is in conformity with the Province’s Growth Plan and the Region’s updated Envision Durham Regional Official Plan. The site is also located within a Protected Major Transit Station Area (PMTSA) which is required by the Province to have a minimum density of 150 people and jobs per hectare, averaged across the entire PMTSA. Tribute will be required to submit a site plan application and draft plan of condominium at a later date.

Results of Whitby's 2024 Community Survey

On June 3, Forum Research presented Council with the results of Whitby’s 2024 Community Survey, which was conducted from March 19 to April 21 via phone and online survey. The survey gathered feedback on resident satisfaction with programs and services, customer service and communications, as well as perception of quality of life. Town staff will use the results to inform decision-making for budgets, program and service delivery, strategic priorities, and future Community Strategic Plan updates. The survey results showed 82 per cent of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with living in Whitby and 87 per cent reported overall quality of life in Whitby as excellent or good. When asked about the single most important issue facing Whitby today, the top three responses were: taxes (17 per cent), affordable housing (15 per cent), and hospitals (14 per cent). Whitby’s next Community Survey will be conducted in 2026.

Council calls on Province to restrict keeping of non-native animals, roadside zoos

Council has approved a motion calling for the Province to implement regulations to restrict the possession, breeding, and use of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals.

The motion also calls for zoos to be licensed “to guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy throughout Ontario for the safety of Ontario’s citizens and the non-native wild animal population.”
The motion notes that Ontario has more private, non-native wild animal keepers, roadside zoos, mobile zoos, wildlife exhibits, and other captive wildlife operations than any other province – and that municipalities frequently struggle to deal with non-native animal issues, resulting in regulatory, administrative, enforcement, and financial challenges. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) and the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers' Association (MLEOA) have indicated their support for World Animal Protection’s campaign for provincial regulations of non-native wild animals and roadside zoos in letters to the Ontario Solicitor General and Ontario Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry.

Accessibility Plan 2023-2026 adopted by Council

Council has adopted the Town of Whitby’s Accessibility Plan 2023-2026. As a designated public sector organization, the Town is required to have and make public a multi-year accessibility plan. The plan was written by the staff Accessibility Working Group, which includes the accessibility coordinator and a designate from each Town department. The plan also received support from the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Examples of action items include implementing an accessible signage and wayfinding system, ensuring universal design and accessibility are incorporated in all design guidelines and site plan proposals, collaborating with Durham municipalities to improve accessible taxi services, and building accessible and inclusive online tools to improve access to Town processes for customers including budget information, payments, permits, Council business, and applications.

Workforce plan review says Town needs to hire more staff to meet benchmark levels

In 2022, Town staff worked with a consultant to undertake a strategic workforce planning study. This study determined the benchmark average staff complement should be 12.2 full-time staff per 1,000 households to support continued effective delivery of services as the Town grows. To maintain benchmark levels, the 2022 study determined 220 full-time positions would need to be added to the Town’s staff complement between 2023 and 2031. Since then, each year, staff review and update the Workforce Plan. A report received by Council for information on June 24, includes a list of 57 positions required in 2025 at an estimated cost of $7.5 million per year. Council pre-approved 20 new firefighters in the 2025 budget, which are not included in the workforce plan. Of the 57 positions identified, 20 are required for the Whitby Sports Complex, which is scheduled to open in late 2025. All decisions have been deferred to the budget process and a final list of positions for consideration will be presented to Council as part of the 2025 budget.

New traffic signals for Winchester Road and St. Thomas Street

Council has approved traffic signalization of St. Thomas Street at Winchester Road in Brooklin, in response to concerns from the community. Up to $150,000 will be included in the property tax-funded 2025 capital budget as a pre-approved item. Council also approved $8,000 per year in annual operating and maintenance costs for the new signal starting in 2026. When traffic signals, requested by the Town, at Regional intersections, do not meet warrant thresholds, the Town is responsible for 50 per cent of the $500,000 capital cost estimate. However, in this case, the Region of Durham will incorporate the signal into ongoing work to widen Winchester Road, resulting in cost efficiencies. Concerns from the community outlined in a petition include high traffic volumes, difficulty making left turns, and safe pedestrian crossing.