Development Charges Background Study and By-law Update

What are Development Charges?

Development charges (DCs) are imposed by municipalities on developers or landowners to pay for increased capital costs related to growth. Growth-related capital costs are costs that result from the expansion of services, like roads, water and wastewater services, policing, fire protection and parks and recreation, to meet the needs of new development.

The principle behind development charges is that development pays for the share of capital costs associated with new growth and development while taxpayers or ratepayers fund infrastructure that benefits the existing population.

Why are the Background Study and By-law Being Updated?

The current Development Charges By-law will expire on December 31, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. To ensure the continued collection of development charges from January 1, 2025, a new Development Charge Background Study must be completed, and a new By-law adopted. The Town has engaged Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. to conduct the Background Study. This study, as required by the Development Charges Act of 1997, evaluates growth patterns, infrastructure needs, and service costs and calculates the appropriate fees for both residential and non-residential developments. The study will also outline the Town's existing service levels, the growth-related capital program, and the proposed development charge rates, which will be presented to Council for adoption on November 25, 2024.

Public Meeting

A public meeting regarding the Development Charges Background Study will be held on Monday, October 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers. During the meeting, residents and stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed development charge rates and policies.