Huntsville - Lake of Bays Lakes Council

Development Charges - June 22, 2009 - Public input sways district to 13% per year

Last nights public meeting at district saw council change its position and agree to a 13% per year increase . The Corporate services committee had recommended a 10% change in development charges over the next 5 years. Interestingly, after the public meeting during a one hour break several councillors determined to listen to the public presented an amendment in the order of 13% per year. (see attached schedules)  The motion was made by Margaret Casey and seconded by Brian Thompson. The initiative has the potential to raise an extra 2 million from developers, instead of the tax base, over the next 5 years. The slowing economy may cause this figure to shrink.  However we cannot ignore the victory for Taxpayers considering the recent issues raised with the budget and Sewer and Water. 

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Development Charges : District Meeting September 22, 2008

District Public Meeting on Development Charges Background Study, September 22, 2008 There was a short summary presented of the Study commissioned by District and completed by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. The floor was then opened to the public for comment. Many developers or their agents presented the almost unanimous opinion that the increases being considered (see Debt Reduction Initiative Report, Stephen Cairns, July 4, 2008) would considerably slow development and put many projects either on hold or cancelled completely, pointing out that the seasonality of business in Muskoka already affects bottom-lines. This, it was pointed out, would decrease tax revenues. Because some of these developments are retail establishments, an important driver of our economy, jobs in this sector would also be lost. Smaller developers presented that many of them would have to go out of business. Many presenters suggested that a phase-in to the increases would provide some relief. LOBA and the Muskoka Lakes Association maintained their stance that Mr. Cairns’ suggestions be put into effect as they are outlined in the Debt Reduction Initiative. It was noted that District council would have to vote on these changes to development charges at the October 14th meeting to allow staff to finalize any changes to the by-law so it could go into effect November 1st when the old by-law expires. Susan Pryke questioned councillors’ abilities to digest this significant document in such a short time. However, if a replacement by-law is not ready by November 1st, Gord Adams pointed out that the whole process(requisitioning a new study, public meetings etc.) would be again required. The best that could be done was to set another council meeting for late in October for council’s final decision. Mary McCauley, HLC Policy Committee