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County Council mulls mandating hurricane clips

March 17, 2016   ·   0 Comments

At its session last Thursday evening, Dufferin County Council debated possibly requiring hurricane clips in new buildings.

Dufferin is in an area that is considered to be part of a tornado zone and has had several in its history, including one in 1985 that swept through Grand Valley and across Amaranth and Mono, claiming several lives.

In the spirit of avoiding future injury and deaths, County Council debated the possibility of having hurricane clips added to any new buildings in the county.

A hurricane clip has special nails and would simply fit on to the header plate and rafters of new building roofs. The cost of the clips are minimal, approximately $1 each, enough for a house costing $100-250.

Councillors seemed to agree that this would be a small cost to save future lives. Orangeville Mayor Jeremy Williams shared his experience of visiting Tottenham after its last experience with tragic inclement weather. Recalling there was significant destruction, injuries, and loss of life, he spoke strongly about the preventive need for the clips.

As with most new initiatives there would be a cost of implementation. Councillors were concerned that builders would be unwilling to absorb incremental costs associated with the new clips.

Amaranth Mayor Don MacIver suggested that Dufferin could influence builder sentiment by providing incentives which would offset the costs. Others at the table suggested that instituting a bylaw would be a way to enforce compliance.

The issue with a bylaw would be how to enforce the new rules.

County staff suggested enforcement would be done during building inspections, so those not installing the hurricane clips could be fined. Those who did not make restitution with the fines would then go to court. Court costs for the county were estimated to be between $3,000 and $20,000 a year to ensure enforcement.

The mere thought of fighting a bylaw with any cost associated to the county was not palatable for any of the councillors.

Melancthon Mayor Darren White rose to share his disappointment with the county’s fear of fighting if the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) or lawyers became involved. “We should be aware that it will also cost the builders the same amount to fight the county.”

He aptly made the point that neither side would be pleased to spend their resources in this manner.

Further discussion on the matter will occur at a future meeting.

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