The Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce

NIAGARA REGION, July 31, 2009 – Niagara Regional Council has approved a new
Development Charges by-law, increasing charges on new housing and commercial
developments and easing the burden on taxpayers who currently pay many of the
costs associated with new development in Niagara.
The approved new development charges will come into effect on September 1 of this
year, and be phased in over a period of five years. Starting in September the new
charges will be $8,000 per single family unit (up from $5,827), $7.50 per square foot
for commercial development (up from $3.38), and industrial charges will remain
frozen at $2.20 per square foot. It will also eliminate a number of existing exemptions
such as institutional and public uses as well as a revision to the smart growth
incentives.
“The Region has been working on the review of its development charges by-law for
close to two years, and throughout this process stakeholder input was requested and
considered,” said Thorold Mayor Henry D’Angela, who Chairs the Region’s
Development Charges Task Force. “Developers have known for some time that these
changes were coming. Due to the current economic conditions the Task Force
recommended a phased approach to allow developers time to adapt to the changes.
We are doing the right thing for all taxpayers and for Niagara’s future with this
balanced approach.”
For years, the region has had among the lowest development charges in Ontario, with
other southern Ontario regions charging substantially more. Even with the phased in
increases, development charges in Niagara will still remain amongst the lowest in
Ontario. This increase is necessary to cover the costs driven by development growth
for such things as roads and water and wastewater plants among other things.
“This by-law is meant to ease some of the burden on taxpayers, who currently pay
much of new development costs,” said John Bergsma, Commissioner of Corporate
Services. “The by-law strikes a balance between development charge revenues to
achieve the Region’s Capital Budget Affordability Strategy, the potential impact on the
level of development in Niagara and taxpayer affordability issues. The higher rates are
vital for Niagara as we embark on crucial infrastructure projects over the next
decade.”
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For more information, please contact:
John Bergsma
Commissioner, Corporate Services
905-685-4225 ext. 3292
After Hours – 905-401-0925