Kincardine council is tackling its Development Charges (DC) as their current DC bylaw comes to an end.
Development charges are fees imposed on new development to fund growth-related capital costs and infrastructure.
Council received a preliminary report from Hemson consultants on the subject and the initial suggestion is a substantial increase although no decision on any hike will be made until after the public and developers have an opportunity to voice their opinions on June 7th.
As the report stands now, new residential builds are dealing with a DC of close to 14,000.
The report suggests increasing that to just over $18,000 or a 30 per cent hike.
In the non-residential category, the current rate stands at $51.80 per square metre, with a suggested increase to $90.69 a square metre.
That’s a 75 per cent increase.
Deputy Mayor Randy Roppel says they need to be careful and says “Maybe we’re on the direction of pricing ourselves out of the market.”
Roppel also says if this hike gets passed in June and then Bruce County comes in with their own planned Development Charge, it’s going to get pricey.
Councillor Dorne Fitzsimmons says no decision has been made yet but warns “for every dollar that we don’t charge in development charges is a dollar that has to go on to the general ratepayers so that should be kept in mind whenever we make our decision.”
