Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Kazdan, Solomon & D'Angelo www.dentistoakville.com 905-842-6030 www.brantflorist.com/ob www.carstaroakville.com 905-8457579 905-847 -2595 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 547 Trafalgar Rd. Beaver Trails 14 905.639.7001 A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No.98 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 2009 32 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) Town makes developers dig deeper By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Firefighters battle flames Food banks' cupboards nearly bare By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville now sports some of the highest development charges allowed under the law. Beginning Aug. 31, Oakville's new Development Charge Bylaw, passed by council Monday night, will require developers to pay the municipality considerably more to cover "Increasing development the growth-related charges is essential to costs of developminimize the impacts of ment such as the costs of infrastrucgrowth on our current ture, facilities, land, taxpayers." vehicles and equipment. Mayor Rob Burton Under the new bylaw, development charges will go up 63 per cent for a new single-family residential unit with the charge in north Oakville moving from $13,327 to $21,682 and the charge in south Oakville moving from $14,102 to $22,018. Non-residential development charges will also be going up 34 per cent. "This bylaw is an important part of our promise to residents that we will keep Oakville fiscally sustainable," said Mayor Rob Burton. "Increasing development charges is essential to minimize the impacts of growth on our current taxpayers." Town staff have previously pointed to the extensive development in Oakville's not-too-distant future as the reason for the increases with 14,429 new housing units expected to be in place by 2018 and an additional 33,034 housing units established by 2031. Oakville's employment lands are also expected to MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER EXTENSIVE DAMAGE: Oakville firefighters were called to a Trevor Drive home at around 11:30 p.m. Monday following a report that flames had broken out in the home's basement. Firefighters battled the blaze, which spread to the upper levels of the home, for more than an hour before eventually bringing it under control. A young boy was hospitalized with minor burns as a result of the fire. All other residents escaping uninjured. The home had extensive fire and smoke damage, however, an exact estimate on the value of that damage is currently unavailable. Food is in short supply this month at two of Oakville's three food banks -- and the food bank that does have its shelves stocked, isn't taking it for granted. The Kerr Street Market, which operates as one of the services offered in Kerr Village by Kerr Street Ministries (KSM) is appealing to the community labelling the situation "critical." "Typically food supply at the Kerr Street Market diminishes over the summer months. This year, through the effort of committed supporters, we did not run out of food in the month of July. However, as we begin the month of August, our reserves are depleted and we are flat out of some staple food items. The situation is critical, as more than 1,000 families rely on our services," said Benjamin Ward, KSM's executive director. "Fallout from the economic collapse continues and families who never dreamt of using the Kerr Street Market have had to make difficult decisions where to spend their limited resources. For some, it is a decision between paying the utility bills or going hungry," said Ward. The story is the same at the Salvation Army Community Church of Oakville. "We, too, are in urgent need of food See Chamber page 4 See Food banks page 5 DUNDAS & TRAFALGAR ROAD 400 Dundas St. East · 257-TIRE STORE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:00am-9:00pm Sat. 8:00am-7:00pm Sun. 9:00am-6:00pm BONUS CARD EVENT 1. Solar dual coac 2. Save 55 % 60 % Item 1 1 1. 6-pack. 52-4320. Reg 69.99 27 Solar plastic light. 20-pack. 52-4155-0. Reg 129.99 54.99 $ When you buy solar lights (52-4155-0/4320-0) 10-CARD 15 BONUS $ 60 Save Extend-it closet system 68-0600-2. Reg 79.99 Half Price % $ $ 5 BONUS CARD When you buy 3-piece basket set (42-3278X/3298-4) 3999 $ BONUS CARD Decor baskets. 3-piece sets. 42-3278X Reg 29.99 Ea 9.99 25 1/2 Price. 3-pc Rush basket set. 42-3298-4. REg 39.99 Set 19.99 When you buy closet system (68-0600-2) SATURDAY AUGUST 15 TO FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2009 While quantities last. Sorry, no rainchecks. Quantities may be limited. STORE HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 8:00am-9:00pm Sat. 8:00am-7:00pm Sun. 9:00am-6:00pm OAKTOWN SHOPPING PLAZA 550 Kerr Street · 844-0202