What did we accomplish?

Advocacy - A key SDHBA role

In 1959, the Sudbury & District Home Builders’ Association (SDHBA) began with the idea that a group of people could make a difference. For 45 years, members of the SDHBA have worked together, committed to building a strong industry and have consistently offered strong and positive representation for the industry with governments and consumers. Supported by the strength of our members, the SDHBA has contributed real solutions and made positive changes that promote and protect the interests of the industry and the consumer.

In the City of Greater Sudbury, the SDHBA was responsible for:

Through active member participation at the Development Liaison Advisory Committee (DLAC) ( a committee initiated by the SDHBA in 1995 bringing together key development and construction industry with local officials)

• Continue to improve turnaround time to issue Building Permits
• Streamlined the protocol of NDCA permits
• Implemented a Complete Building Permit Information Package
• Adopted a Pilot Test Manhole Policy, reducing costs and offering several options of implementation
• Recommended changes to Road Widening Procedures
• Eliminated Road Levies retroactive to January 1, 2001
• Recommended that Zoning By-Laws and Maps be made available on-line
• Recommended & Implemented Changes to Parkland Dedication Procedure
• Reviewed Planning Application Fees
• Made positive recommendations at Special Planning Committee Meeting to improve current process
• Assisted in developing new Site Grading Policy, including.... Lot Grading Design & Guidelines, Requirements for Lot Grading Professionals

  and most recently
  

• Request for Inspections now available on-line as well as Saturday Building Inspections for registered builders
  
  We are still working on having the following reviewed and/or implemented

• E-Permitting
• Fire Flows
• Subdivision Process
• Draft Extensions
• Sidewalk Policies

  The DLAC Committee continues to recommend and implement best practices for the City

  This past year, the SDHBA has well represented us as follows:

• Lobbied against the Area Specific Development Charges in the South End
• Made a formal Pre-budget submission
• Participated in Pre-budget discussion with Minister of Finance, Dwight Duncan
• Actively participated in Public Consultation with on Expanding Compulsory Certification to Voluntary Trades
• Actively participated in Municipal Affairs and Housing Public Consultation on the proposed changes to the Building Code regarding Residential Fire Sprinklers and on-site sewage systems
• Local representation on Greater Sudbury Source Protection Committee - Clean Water Act
• Local representation on the Ontario Home Builders' Association Board and various Committees
• Local representation on Advisory Committee, Carpenter General, Cambrian College, School of Skills Training/SkyTech
• Local representation on the Regional Labour-Management Health & Safety Committee
• Participated in CMHC's Sudbury Industry Rountable
• Have ensured that our builder members keep informed and receive proper training on new building code practices, health & safety regulations, as well as changes to the Tarion Warranty Program

  ........Plus, much more

  For more details on the above, please contact the SDHBA office at (705) 671-6099