Clearview is proposing to lower its development charges.
Development charges are fees collected from developers when building permits are issued. They are based on a background study, as well as evaluations of the cost of new growth in the municipality.
These fees help pay for cost increases from the higher need for services resulting from the development.
There are multiple reasons for lowering the fees. Most notably, the Township received a $10 million grant from the federal and provincial government’s Build Canada Fund in January. The grant will be used to expand the Stayner sewer system.
Council has also reduced industrial and commercial construction charges in certain areas. For instance, it decided not to require parking, recreation and library development charges for non-residential construction in all of Clearview.
As well, Clearview has revised its projected costs for expansion.
Doug Abbott, who has owned Village Builders (a residential house building and renovating company) since 1980, attended a Public Meeting about the charges on June 24.
He thinks the change will help encourage growth that he said has been “stifled” since the Township raised the fees in 2009.
“It’s going to help,” Abbott said. “House selling and construction is really down right now. [The development charges] affect my business. If the fees go too high, then people don’t build.”
Currently, Clearview requires developers to pay up to nine development charges including fire protection, roads, parking and recreation, plus water and wastewater facilities, if applicable.
The last time the development charges were reviewed was in 2009.
Council is expected to make a decision about the charges at its next meeting on Monday, July 14.