The County of Renfrew is considering implementing development charges on new builds as a way to pay for growth related projects.
Managing Partner at Watson & Associates, Gary Scanlon, provided an in-depth update to the County of Renfrew during a special council meeting on Wednesday, April 20th. If the County passed a development charges by-law, the local municipalities would charge the fee, collect the money and turn it over the county.
While roads and bridges were primarily used as examples of projects development charges can pay for, Scanlon told council that child care, municipal housing, long-term care, ambulance services and other projects can also be funded. Scanlon talked about how development charges prevents existing residents and taxpayers from funding all growth related projects.
Bonnechere Valley Mayor Jennifer Murphy raised concerns and says she sees this as a severe impediment to growth in smaller municipalities. Murphy says they want development, but says she couldn’t defend development charges going from the Township to the County of Renfrew.
Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet talked about how development charges in his Town have not deterred development in the 25-years they’ve been charging them.
Renfrew Reeve Peter Emon doesn’t feel the development charges would halt development. Emon talked about a report the County of Renfrew received last month (March 2022) highlighting 2,500 lots in the county were approved for development, but not built on, another 4,900 lots from 0.25 acres to 5 acres are not being built on, 6,200 parcels larger than 5 acres not being built on and 13,800 residential units that aren’t being developed.
Municipalities in Renfrew County charge a range of development fees. In Arnprior, development charges for a single and semi-detached dwellings run around $16,000, in Renfrew it’s $9,000, Petawawa development charges are over $6,000, in Cobden the cost is roughly $5,800 and under $4,000 in Pembroke. Six municipalities in Renfrew County do not charge development charges including; Admaston/Bromley, Bonnechere Valley, Laurentian Hills, North-Algona-Wilberforce, Killaloe-Hagarty & Richards and the Township of Head Clara & Maria.
In the presentation to County Council, details regarding county-wide development charges in Ontario were highlighted. Some counties across Ontario charge almost $25,000 in development charges for a single detached or semi-detached dwelling. Scanlon told council $21,000 of that fee is water and wastewater and $4,000 would be for ambulance, child care, roads etc. Others such as Lanark County charge on the lower end of the scale at roughly $1,500 for development charges on a new residential home.
After a 2-hour discussion, county council directed staff to continue to gather more information on growth and cost recovery options.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
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