Raise the Hammer
Development fees are in the news again here in Toronto. After Halton's recent stand-off with its builders, Toronto City Staff are proposing a 100% development fee hike of their own.
"Right-wing councillors were quick to call for more aggressive fees," reports the Star, "arguing that homeowners will end up paying if developers get a break on the higher fees."
Curiously, Mayor David Miller and his crew are eyeing a phased approach to these fees, citing the housing market slow down as an excuse to give property builders a "break".
Not everyone is happy.
"If you're going to make this break for the developers, what break are you going to make for the residents?" asked Councilor Karen Stintz.
Good point. After all, for every house or condo that goes up today, Toronto taxpayers are making up the shortfall now. How does a phased-in fee structure help us out?
Despite this, it's nice to see that municipalities are finally facing up to the fact that new development generates new costs that need to be borne by us all.
By Head Spin (anonymous) | Posted October 27, 2008 at 11:12:27
Yes it is nice to see at least the beginning of consideration of the use of rules and fees to encourage the types of urban development that are environmentally desireable, as opposed to an endless, mindless expansion of more of the same. It's sort of like the concept of government creating a tax system to support desireable industrial and economic development.
Oh wait. That's so complicated it's making my head hurt just trying to think about it. I have to go lie down now.
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