It’s a move that’s hoped will spur new home construction in the city.
Council has passed a motion that places a three year moratorium on residential development charges.
Councillor Mike Anthony likes the timing with the three year moratorium, as it coincides with the end of this council term and the next municipal vote.
“I like the fact that during the election it could be something that the public will have a chance to hear where candidates would stand on it, what they had seen of the results over those three years and what their beliefs were going in,” he told Council last night.
Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch would’ve preferred a two year moratorium instead of three, with reviews in the second year, and the possibility of extending it.
She voted against the three year proposal.
“I was not in favour of the moratorium of ‘DCs’, development charges, as it is adverse to the budget. Even if you do a three year average, it’s $224,000 per year that would go towards future capital needs,” she told Council.
The motion passed by a 6-4 vote and will see development charges increase in 2022.
That’s unless the new council decides to take a different approach.

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: development-charges, moratorium, north-bay-city-council