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Boards hike development charges "Obviously, we always have concerns when EDCs rise dramatically," said Doug Duke, executive officer with the HamiltonDespite strong objections from some area Halton Home Builders' Association It's a furconstruction industry and government of- ther erosion of (new) home affordability and ficials, Halton's public and Catholic school the ultimate question is, Where is it going to boards have approved significant increases stop?" to their Education Development EDCs are collected by municiCharges (EDCs), the tool by which palities on behalf of school boards they raise money to build new and are payable at the time a buildschools. ing permit is issued. At the recent meeting of the Residential and non-residential Halton Catholic board, trustees apEDCs are usually comprised of proved an amendment to its curseveral components-- the rates rent five-year EDCs bylaw, which charged by towns/cities, regions, was formulated in 2009 and exschool boards and GO Transit. pires in June 2014. The Halton Catholic board The Halton Catholic board will says it had to raise its residential DOUG now charge homebuilders $1,159 and non-residential EDC rates by PENRICE per residential unit, up $338 or 41 41 and 39 per cent respectively per cent over the previous charge because it is facing much higher land acquiof $821 per unit. sition and site development costs associated The Halton Catholic board's EDC for de- with building new schools. velopers of non-residential (commercial/ Doug Penrice, the economic developindustrial/institutional) lands will now be ment officer for Halton Hills, wrote a letter 32 cents per square foot or $3.44 per square to the Halton Catholic board requesting the metre, up nine cents or 39 per cent from the increase to non-residential EDCs remain at previous charge of 23 cents per sq. ft. or $2.47 the previous level until more information is per sq. m. gained through an economic development The Halton public board raised its EDC study currently being conducted by Halton rates by almost the same percentages at its Region. June 15 board meeting. "The economy remains fragile and the atThe Halton public board now charges traction of new non-residential development land developers $2,506 per new dwelling, a in Halton Hills continues to be challenging," 43 per cent increase, and 69 cents per square wrote Penrice. "Halton Hills has responded foot ($7.43 per square metre) of gross floor to these challenges by discounting non-resiarea for non-residential units/buildings, a 41 dential (industrial only) development chargper cent increase. es by almost 60 per cent to encourage growth That means the combined EDC charge for in our sector..." the two Halton school boards is now $3,665 The Building and Land Development Asper residential unit and $1.01 per sq. ft. sociation (BILD) asked Catholic trustees to ($10.87 per sq. m.) for non-residential units. defer passage of its much higher EDC rates The combined rate increases of the Halton until BILD reps had a closer look at the Catholic and public board EDCs are likely to board's EDC reports and rationale behind be tacked on in full to the purchase price of the increases. new homes/buildings, although some organi"I'm sympathetic but we have to have zations are always or often exempt from pay- money to (build) new schools," countered ing EDCs, like churches and school boards. school board chair Alice Anne LeMay. By TIM WHITNELL Metroland Media Group 140 Guelph St., Georgetown (beside the Fruit Market) 5 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, July 12, 2011 905-877-9541 WE MATCH PRICES! · · · · Experienced Staff Set Up & Delivery Home Consultation Service Calls We're your local full service home electronics dealer Summer Hours: Mon. - Wed. 10-6, Thurs 10-7, Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-5 All Samsung LED's on Sale 2012 2009 GBA GBA Registration SEASON COACHING APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Georgetown Baseball is now accepting Rep-Eagles/Select coaching applications for the This year registration will 2012 season. take place online only at: Please go to www.georgetownbaseball.ca www.georgetownbaseball.ca to complete and submit your application. For further information contact For further information contact the office the office 905-877-3748 905-877-3748 or info@georgetownbaseball.ca GEORGETOWN BASEBALL ASSOCIATION -R Roast t Beef B f - Assorted Salads $ - Baked Ham - Dessert Table - Fried Chicken Nuggets - Tea & Coffee Featuring: SERVED THURSDAY & FRIDAY 11:30 am to 2:00 pm LUNCH BUFFET Private Catering Available 11.50 HST INCLUDED ~ LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ~ Fri. & Sat. 9:30 pm - close Rock n' Roll Blindfold Test Now Available at: 79 Main Street South, Georgetown 905-877-3388 QUEEN'S T IR E rubber & S EQueen's R V ITire. CE Put your on at www.queenstireandservice.com 387 Queen St., A Ac t o n 5 19 - 8 5 3 - 3 9 4 0