ERIN – The increased cost of the new Erin wastewater treatment plant is bringing related development charges with it.
A report from Watson and Associates Economists, presented to council during a public meeting on Feb. 23, recommends a sizable increase to the charges developers pay to contribute to infrastructure needed for growth.
Erin’s new wastewater treatment plant cost has increased from $67.20 million to $128.9 million, according to the report.
And the collection system has increased from $20.34 million to $57 million.
“The costs have increased, so we’re appropriately increasing the development charge payable,” a Watson representative told council.
For urban single or semi-detached homes, the wastewater services portion of the charge is likely to increase by 82 per cent from $15,797 to $28,729. For non-residential development, the rate will climb as high as $9.71 per square foot — an increase of 82% from the current $5.33 per square foot.
Changes by the province to how municipalities can collect charges through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, means there is a mandatory phasing in of increases over a five-year period.
A bylaw to make an increase official will return to council on March 23.
