The Town of Petawawa taking a look at building permit and planning application fees. The municipality has hired Watson & Associates Economists to do a comprehensive review to make recommendations that reflect best industry practices and provide a full cost recovery. Manager at Watson & Associates Economists, Peter Simcisko, says the town hasn’t done a review for building permits in roughly 20-years and over 10 for planning. Council had some concerns with raising the fees. The proposal was to have the changes effective starting next year, however council may consider phasing in the changes. The main concern was the fact that the increase would see Petawawa be one of the most expensive places to develop in the county. Simcisko assured councillors this was only because many other municipalities haven’t revised their costs in recent years.
Under the current structure the town is only recovering 31% of costs for these permits. Simcisko made a presentation to Petawawa council on Monday night that included the proposed increases. Some of the changes included the costs for minor variances going from $500 to $1,100 or site plans from $350 to $1,600. The town would also introduce fees for things they’re not currently charging for including consent severance at a cost of $750, waterfront road allowance for $500 and a $3,000 fee for condo’s. The increase in building permits would see new assemblies go from 79 cents to $1.10 per square foot, residential single family dwellings will go from 54 cents to $1.11 a square foot, new commercial from $0.53 to $1.11 and industrial from $0.41 to $1.10 per square foot. Watson & Associates will receive feedback from council by November 8th on the proposed changed and present a final fee recommendation at a public meeting on November 18th.
