Clearview council is in support of a request from the Town of New Tecumseth to the Federal Government to revise the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate to include non-plug- in hybrid vehicles as fully eligible vehicles in an effort to support Honda and other Canadian auto manufacturers that are facing increasing challenges due to global market pressures, U.S. tariffs, and the exclusion of non-plug- in hybrid vehicles from Canada’s ZEV mandate.

Council passed a motion Monday recognizing that Honda Canada has been a long-standing partner and major employer to Simcoe County, including residents from Clearview, employing approximately 4,200 people directly and supporting an estimated 30,000 indirect jobs.

Support for the resolution will be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Simcoe County municipalities and Simcoe-Grey MP Terry Dowdall.

The motion was tabled by Clearview Mayor Doug Measures, who is a member of the Auto Mayors Association of Simcoe County, made up of municipal representatives who are working to address regional concerns relating to the U.S. tariffs.

He said “if the non-plug-in hybrid vehicle gets integrated into our system it will help achieve some type of recognition of lower emissions as well as fuel economy for the owners of these vehicles.”

Development granted five-year extension

Clearview has granted a five-year extension for the first phase of the Ashton Meadows development in Stayner.

The existing draft plan, approved in 2010, is for a total of 224 single- detached dwelling units, of which 72 have been built.

The developer’s justification of the five-year extension includes the complexity and scope of engineering conditions and shifting market conditions.

“Based on review of the current extension request, municipal staff are generally accepting of the justification provided by the applicant for an additional five-year extension of existing draft plan approval,” reported planner Nick Ainley. “In addition to the justification for the extension provided by the applicant, municipal staff also recognize that the remaining phases of the draft plan of subdivision (i.e., Phase 1B and future phases) are also limited by the servicing capacity issue impacting the Stayner Settlement Area and the timeframe associated with construction of external infrastructure improvements (i.e., the Klondike Park Road well site, reservoir and pumping station) which are not expected to be operational until the fall of 2027.”

“We’ve received a lot of complaints about that subdivision in regards to spring runoff and stuff like that…,” said Deputy Mayor Paul Van Staveren. “I think it would be wise, if you’re going to enter into new agreements, make it a condition that they clean up Margaret Street.”