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PRESENTATION REGARDING AN OVERVIEW ON DEVELOPMENT CHARGES LEGISLATION AND RECENT CHANGES TO DEVELOPMENT CHARGES ACT.
Craig Millar, Director of Finance and Treasurer introduced Gary Scandlan and Nancy Neale from Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.
Mr. Scandlan provided a presentation regarding an Overview on Development Charges Legislation and recent changes to the Development Chargers Act. He discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• An overview of the presentation;
• The study process and timelines;
• The purpose of Development Charges;
• The history of Development Charges;
• An overview of the Development Charges Act, 1997;
• The limitations on forms of capital and services that can be included in the Development Charges;
• The definition of Capital Costs;
• The planning horizon in association with future capital needs;
• The changes to the Service Standard measure in the Development Charges Act, 1997;
• A summary of the existing and new services under consideration for Development Charges;
• The relationship between the needs to service growth versus the funding available;
• The Annual Housing Growth Forecast to 2040;
• The Growth Forecast for Net Population Increase, Residential Unit Increase and Non-Residential Gross Floor Area Increase;
• The methodology to determine the Development Charges;
• The cash-flow considerations associated with Development Charges;
• The need for the Development Charges Background Study to include a Local Service Policy;
• An update on Bill 73;
• The impact of Bill 73 on the City of Barrie;
• The requirement to examine area-ratings as per Bill 73;
• The area specific Development Charges currently in place;
• The mandatory and discretionary exemptions provided for in the Development Charges Act, 1997;
• The exemptions and discounts currently in place for the City of Barrie;
• Other exemptions and discounts that could be considered;
• The items that Council will need to provide input on, including discretionary exemptions and area-ratings; and
• The proposed timelines of the Development Charges Background Study and By-law being presented to Council.
Members of General Committee asked a number of questions of City staff and the consultant and received responses.