Town to recoup costs by hiking development fees

Anyone who wants to build in Halton Hills will have to figure on spending more in development fees. Halton Hills council recently approved a planning report calling for "measured planning fee increases" for 2007. The new approach is designed to help the Town recoup its costs in processing planning applications-- those costs in 2007 are estimated at $1.1 million. The new fee structure will recoup $977,515 of that $1.1 million. Fees will increase by about 43 per cent, which will mean an average cost recovery of between 75 and 100 per cent (average of 87.5 per cent). The 2006 cost recovery had been set at 75 per cent. "I am glad to see us moving in the right direction here towards that 100 per cent recovery, especially in the large residential development," said Ward 4 Councillor Bob Inglis. Highlights of the new fee structure include: · New surcharge fees for large urban or rural developments that involve more than 2 hectares (five acres) of development, more than 50 residential dwellings or units ($75 per unit) and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of gross building floor area. · New surcharge fees for special or unique land uses such as new or expanded aggregate pits and quarries BOB (up to $50,000 based on the number of INGLIS hectares) or new major public and private utilities such as a power generation plant. "I am glad to see that coming," said Wards 1&2 Regional Councillor Clark Somerville. "Because of the tremendous cost put on the Town when these application come in." He noted Halton Region and Milton have similar fees in that range. · A fee reduction for the 401 Corridor up to a maximum of 50 per cent for proposed industrial, manufacturing and office developments, after consultation with the Economic Development Committee. (Town council will vote on Acton Councillor Mike O'Leary's motion at the March 6 meeting whether to include other industrial areas in the town.) "We, as a town, will be better off in our tax assessment if we could encourage even existing businesses to expand their operations," said O'Leary. · Fee reductions for special public benefit uses such as developments involving non-profit housing or medical offices. · The Standard Administration fee, which applies to a large number of standard town approvals, has been raised 20 per cent from $596 to $750. · New subdivision application fees for standard applications ($15,000) and major subdivision applications ($20,000) have been set. As well, new site plan application fees have been set ($7,000 for standard and $12,000 for major applications). Fees for major industrial or commercial site plans has been set at $12,000 plus $1,000 per additional 10,000 sq. ft. floor area to a maximum of $15,000. · New condominium application fees of $15,000 have been established. · A new Ministry of Environment fee (up to $50,000) for proposed new and expanded large industrial developments that require or subject to MOE approvals. Planning staff will report back to council in September on changes to Town fees associated with the registration of development and subdivision agreements with the aim to recover 100 per cent of all the town costs. Building permit fees have also been increased including: · Minimum building permit fees, demolition permits, and re-examination fees have been increased 20 per cent from $125 to $150 · Flat rates involving sewer systems have gone up 3 to 62.5 per cent to cover the cost of two additional Ontario Building Code mandatory inspections · A new fee (1.5 times the original fee) was established for construction commencing without a permit to offset administrative and investigation expenses. It does not include any penalty if found guilty. The fee increases are expected to cover the expenses for administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act for 2007. · A new fee for the transfer of a building permit to a new owner ($85). More information on the new fee structures is available on the Town's website, www.haltonhills.ca. Click on Feb. 5 council meeting, reports 8G and 8H.