Puslinch development charges to jump 4.3%

by Mike Robinson

ABERFOYLE

Builders are facing a hike of 4.3% to residential and non-residential development charges in 2012.

On Dec. 21, councillors here briefly reviewed a memorandum regarding a potential increases to local development charges.

The proposed increases were based on construction price indexes.

 Mayor Dennis Lever said the township just went through a development charges review two years ago.

“At that point, we made some substantial changes to the fees. Now this seems to be another large increase.”

He noted that Wellington County had recently announced its development charges would be going up 4.3%.

“What concerns me is that the document which refers to 4.5% refers to Toronto. Is this typical that we look at Toronto.”

Clerk Brenda Law explained Puslinch is considered to be in that area for indexing the charges - “the one applicable to our area.”

“It seems like a very large change,” Lever said.

Law pointed out that last year, there was hardly any change - 0.8%.

Lever asked about the township’s options.

“It’s whatever council decides,” Law said. Councillors have a choice of implementing all, some or none of the increase.

Lever said, “The danger is that if there is another large increase next year, we’d start falling behind.”

The resolution before council was to increase the development charges as of Jan. 1, 2012 for residential development by 4.3% - from $3,656 to $3,813 per dwelling unit and non-residential charges increased by 4.3% from $1.83 to $1.93 per square foot.

Although the motion carried, mayor Lever opposed the move.

 

 

December 30, 2011