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Town council beefing up Oakville's development charges bylaw by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Wednesday, March 20, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville Town council has revised its development charges bylaw to ensure Oakville continues to recover the costs of growth-related services and infrastructure. There is reason no shortage of reasons to plan for future growth as Oakville's population is expected to hit approximately 246,000 by 2031. A Town study presented during a recent council meeting stated the net costs required from development charges over the next five years to pay for residential and non-residential infrastructure exceeds $208 million. "We're controlling growth. Our philosophy is that growth should pay its way and not be financed by taxpayers," said Mayor Rob Burton. "The new bylaw will allow us to effectively fund growth at a managed pace over the next 20 years." Development charges provide a considerable funding source to build the infrastructure required by growth. Development charges are applied to construction of new residential and industrial/ commercial properties, and are charged to developers to pay for Town capital projects that service the new growth -- including roads, transit, sidewalks and streetlights. Over the past year, Town staff and consultant Watson and Associates Economists Ltd., developed a bylaw that meets Oakville's future infrastructure needs. The Town's Livable Oakville Official Plan and Halton's Regional Official Plan guide Oakville's growth management strategy. Both levels of government have said they are committed to ensuring growth pays for itself to the extent allowable under the Devel- opment Charges Act, 1997, to minimize the impact on existing taxpayers. The Act requires that a new bylaw is enacted within five years of the passing of the previous bylaw. Oakville's new bylaw went into effect March 5. Town staff said Oakville's development charge rates are competitive with other GTA municipalities including Vaughan, Markham, Milton and Brampton. For more information on development charges in Oakville, visit the Town's website at www.oakville.ca. NOW OPEN! Last Supper Mausoleum Reserve now for best selection. Call or visit Glen Oaks for details 905-257-1100 Limited time offer. Act now & save $1,000 per couple on selected crypts Glen Oaks Memorial Gardens & Reception Centre by Arbor Memorial Arbor Memorial Inc. it all started when my baby stopped breathing... She was only three weeks old when Lexie suddenly stopped breathing in my arms. Within seconds, my beautiful, healthy baby turned blue and I was frantic. Once she was in the emergency department, the doctors and nurses took over and diagnosed Lexie with a respiratory virus. She was in the hospital for a week with monitors and oxygen devices helping her breathe, but today she is a healthy and proud big sister to her brother Liam thanks to the life-saving equipment in our hospital. Each and every year, our hospital needs hundreds of pieces of new equipment that will improve the lives of all of us here in Oakville. Every piece is critical and every piece needs to be funded by our community. It all starts here with your help. Please give generously. OakvilleHospitalFoundation.com Please call 905 338 4642 to make a difference by donating to the Oakville Hospital Foundation. Charitable Registration #: 13145-3490 RR0001 The Oakville Hospital Foundation is grateful for the generous support of our media sponsor, the Oakville Beaver. Lexie and Liam Evans in Erchless Park, Oakville Lemon Love Photography