PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1976, WHITBY FREE PRESS NOTICE OF MEETING The Commission to Review Proposals for Property Tax Reform in Ontario A public meeting for residents of Durham Region willbe held on June 29 and 30, 1976 at 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Eastdale Collegiate Cafeteria, Harmony Road, Oshawa, to receive submissions, both oral and written, from local government representatives, property taxpayers and all other interested parties, concerning the proposals that have been put forward by the Government of Ontario as a means of establishing a new system of property taxation based on market value assessment. This meeting is one of a series which the Commission is conducting throughout Ontario this summer and fall, before submitting its recommendations to the govern- ment. The proposals, originally published in entitled Reform of Property Taxation in 1. Residences in Ontario, collectively, will bear a reduced share of property taxes. 2. Residential property will be redefined to include only residences and a reasonable amount of land. 3 The present practice of levying dif- ferent mill rates on residential and commercial properties will be discon- tinued. 4 Farmland. farm buildings. managed forests and farm residences will be assessed ai market value Farnland, farn buildings and managed forests wlI be taxed ah 100 percent of market value and the taxes will be paid by the Province. Farm residences will be taxed as all other residences ah 50 per- cent of market value and the taxes vvl be paid by the owner. There will be provision to recover-taxes paid by the Province if the property changes use. 5 Ali real property used for the purpose of a business including government administrative facilities will be subject to an additional assessment of 50 per- cent of market value for business taxes. 6. All public property except residences will be sublect to payments in lieu of taxes equal to full taxes ah 100 percent of market value. Public residences will be subject to payments in lieu of taxes equivalent to full taxes ah 50 percent of market value. Public utilities will be subject to business assessment ah 50 percent of market value. 7. As is the present case, churches, cemeteries. and property held in trust for a band or body of Indians will be exempt. All other presently exempt property will be taxed ah 100 percent the 1976 Ontario Budget, Budget Paper E, Ontario, are as follows: of market value, except residences which will be taxed at 50 percent of market value. 8. A uniform method of phasing-in the new tax system over a period of up to five years will be available to prevent abrupt tax changes. 9. Assessment rolls will be returned and enumeration will be performed every two years ho coincide with local governnen! elections. 10 Assessrent on provincial government property will be pooled and assigned betv.een the public and separate ele- rnentary schools in the same propor- tion as the taxable assessment as- signed by the owners and occupants of residences. 11. Costs shared among municipalities will be shared on the basis of the assessrnent on which taxes and pay- rnents in lieu of taxes are based. 12 Where assessment is to be used ho determine the grant to be paid to a municipality, the assessment used will be the assessment on which taxes and payments in lieu of taxes are based. 13. The provisions of The Assessment Act will apply to the assessment of all real property in Ontario, including areas without municipal organizations. 14. Public bodies which receive provincial grants, such as school boards, wili be allowed to include their property tax payments as allowable expenses for grant purposes. 15. Ontario's property tax credits which relate property taxes to the ability to pay will, if necessary, be strengthened upon implementation of the new system. Copies of Budget Paper E containing background and explanatory information, in addi- tion to the proposals themselves, may be obtained, free of charge, from regional assessment offices or from Mr. Lawrence Close, Executive Secretary, Commission on Property Tax Reforri, Fifth Floor, Frost Building South, Queen's Park, Toronto M7A 1Y7, telephone (416) 965-1671. If you plan to appear and present a written or oral sub- mission, please notify Mr. Close in advance, by letter or telephone. We would also ap- preciate receiving one copy of any written submission, prior to the meeting. Since the purpose of these meetings is to help ensure that the new taxation system is implemented in an efficient and equitable manner,. the Commission hopes that all Ontario residents with opinions and suggestions to offer will manage to make their representations to us. Willis L. Blair Chairman mnalm Ontanio k~. LAI BEA 119 Gre A New You For Springtime Nothing lifts the spirits quite like a becoming new hair style. Coal now for an appointment soan. CONTESSA LUTY LOUNGE een St. 668-9262 Corridor capers Hli folks. Lots of news this week We are all thankful our Police Station will continue to serve us. Mayor Jim Gartshore and our Regional Councillors must have had some magic potion up their collective sleeves, whatever, the People of Whitby are grateful for your efforts THANK YOU.... The . Block Parents are organizing a programme in Whitby. Mrs. Sharion Thompson reports that signs were in windows by June Ist. The Police departnent will be visiting schools to educate the children of the importance of the window displays. At the moment, the need for Block Parents in Whitby is minimal. We congratulate this groups however, for looking to the future and hopefully this will keep Whitby a safe place in which to live. Uit icial Plan Proposed Change - 25% Lot Coverage ihei chafingof the Officia] Plan's 25% lot coverage is still under discussion. The Corridor Area :Zatepayers executive will comply with the wishes of the residents and make yet another plea to retain this restraining clause. The 25% lot coverage clause 3.3.7 of the Official Plan, has been in effect since 1973. It was originally inse:ted for the protection of the future home owners, and to allow them a liveable yard space. Mr. Stan Silver, speaking on behalf of Investments Limited, has presented a strong argument in favour of deleting the clause. It is ironical however, that he would fail to mention the most important factors involved. He. appears to believe that developers cannot supply a range of housing types and still comply with the 25% coverage. One very simple solution would be to have any given lot 75% bigger than the house coverage. This would not raise the cost of homes, because we all know the market dictates the price. Because of the price of homes dropping over the past two or three months, most developers can stall for a while until the 'price is right'. Even if this clause were deleted and developers allowed a free rein, there is no guarantee that the savings would be passed on to the purchaser. According to James Lorimer, a ,pecialist in Urban Affairs, fantastic profits are enjoyed on the snaller lots, but the catch is - it's the developer who enjoys the extra profit. Mr. Lorimner points out many more interesting details that support the Ratepayers stand. The Corridor Area Ratepayers Association held *their April executive meeting last Wednesday. Just a few items to report. The executive have requested that a letter be sent to the Attorney General, Roy McMurtry, supporting his stand on pornography. A donation, in the form of equipment, will be given to to the Garrard Road Lacrosse Association. The executive of the Association have en'orsed the lock Parents Programme. To the Ministry of Municipal Affairs - Clarification on whether any government body has authority to change, or revoke bylaws and resolutions formulated and approved by the municipal government. - Nex t executive meeting, June 16th at 9 Dymond Drive. From the Garrard Rd. Lacrosse Association - You can sec "Lacrosse Canada" team in action at Civic Fields, Oshawa on July 17th. Sec Garrard Rd's own Larry Graham and Tim Briscoe and Whitby's John Reed, members of the Whitby C.B.C. Builders in action, playing on the "Lacrosse Canada" team. Il you have any used Lacrosse Equipment for free, sale or trade, please contact Greta Hope 668-4919. There have been several requests for equipment in Bantam and Tyke size. The Block Parents have organized their program in Whitby. The Police department will be visiting schools to educate the children of the importance and use of the signs displayed ini the neighbourhood windows. We congratulate this group for having the foresight that hopefully vill keep Whitby a safe olace in which to live. H-ope to have sonme more news next week, until then, call 725-8967. M.M. 0, ý *.: