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School boards raise development chargesBy Tim Whitnellincrease.way extensions.attraction of new non-residential developmentMETROLAND MEDIA WEST GROUPThat means the combined EDC charge for Duke said that the latest EDC report his in Halton Hills continues to be challenging,the two Halton school boards is now $3,665 per organization has for Halton which does not wrote Halton Hills employee Doug Penrice.Despite strong objections from some arearesidential unit and $1.01 per sq. ft. ($10.87 per include the recent school board rate increases Halton Hills has responded to these chal-construction industry and government offi-sq. m.) for non-residential units. shows that Milton ($44,000) and Oakville lenges by discounting non-residential (indus-cials, Haltons public and Catholic schoolThe combined rate increases of the Halton ($43,257) have the highest EDCs in Halton for trial only) development charges by almost 60boards have approved significant increases toCatholic and public board EDCs are likely to be new detached homes, followed by Burlington per cent to encourage growth in our sector. hetheir Education Development Charges (EDCs),tacked on in full to the purchase price of new ($35,282).added in the letter.the tool by which they raise money to buildhomes/buildings, although some organizations The Halton Catholic board says it had to The Building and Land Developmentnew schools.are always or often exempt from paying EDCs, raise its residential and non-residential EDC Association (BILD) delegated the HaltonAt the June 21 meeting of the Haltonlike churches, school boards, and healthcare rates by 41 and 39 per cent respectively because Catholic school board on June 21 and askedCatholic board, trustees approved an amend-and government facilities.it is facing much higher land acquisition and trustees to defer passage of its much higherment to its current five-year EDCs bylaw, whichWhen the EDC goes up you can almost say, site development costs associated with building EDC rates until BILD reps had a closer look atwas formulated in 2009 and expires in Junemost of the cost of the increase would be passed new schools.the boards EDC reports and rationale behind2014.on (to homebuyers). There may be some room Catholic board officials say they only received the increases.The Halton Catholic board will now charge(for developers) to absorb (some of) the cost, $2.1 million in EDC revenue for fiscal 2010-11, BILD and its Halton chapter members arehomebuilders $1,159 per residential unit, upsaid Doug Duke, executive officer with the but that its site development costs totaled extremely concerned at the significant cumula-$338 or 41 per cent over the previous charge of Hamilton-Halton Home Builders Association.nearly $10.2 million leaving an estimated accu-tive increase proposed for both the residential$821 per unit.Obviously, we always have concerns when mulated EDC deficit of $36.9 million as of May and non-residential EDCs, said a letter fromThe Halton Catholic boards EDC for devel-EDCs rise dramatically. Its a further erosion of 31, 2011.BILDs vice-president of policy and governmentopers of non-residential (commercial/industri-(new) home affordability and the ultimate ques-The Halton Catholic board plans to recoup relations, Paula Tenuta.al/institutional) lands will now be 32 cents pertion is, Where is it going to stop? said Duke.$21.9 million in EDC revenue over the remain-Oakville trustees Paul Marai and Anthonysquare foot or $3.44 per square metre, up nineEDCs are collected by municipalities on ing three years of its current EDC bylaw.Danko both suggested the boards vote thatcents or 39 per cent from the previous chargebehalf of school boards and are payable at the The Halton public board has an EDC deficit night on the EDC bylaw amendment be deferredof 23 cents per sq. ft. or $2.47 per sq. m.time a building permit is issued.recovery plan to recoup $27 million.until September to give outside parties moreThe Halton public board raised its EDC ratesResidential and non-residential EDCs are The economic development officer for time to ask questions about the proposedby almost the same percentages at its June 15usually comprised of several components Halton Hills wrote a letter to the Halton increases.board meeting.the rates charged by towns/cities, regions, Catholic board requesting the increase to non-This (large EDC increase) hurts familiesThe Halton public board now charges landschool boards and GO Transit.residential EDCs remain at the previous level that are trying to buy their first home, saiddevelopers $2,506 per new dwelling, a 43 perThe largest portion of an EDC is for region-until more information is gained through an Danko.cent increase, and 69 cents per square footal/municipal projects associated with new economic development study currently being Danko and Marai were the only ones in($7.43 per square metre) of gross floor area forhomes, schools and other buildings such as conducted by Halton Region. favour of the votes postponement; the newnon-residential units/buildings, a 41 per centwater and wastewater infrastructure and road-The economy remains fragile and the EDC rates passed by a 6-2 margin.IFNACCRJTEOUIBRLYLES ASYAUVATHERITAGEIHNOGLSINCE 1977SR.I SZELifestyle Home FurnishingsAELDE ENDS JULY 17/11TRUE LIFETIME QUALITY AT UNBEATABLE PRICES4205 Fairview Street, Burlington 905-634-5298www.heritagefurniture.cawww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 8, 2011 4