June 21, 2014

Michael HARRIS

Thank you for the opportunity to serve once again as your MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga

MPP KITCHENER-CONESTOGA

MichaelHarrisMPP.ca | 519.954.8679

06 | 21 | 2014 VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 25

WELLESLEY MAN WINS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS PAGE 13

COMMENT PAGE 10

TIME TO PRESSURE REGION ON TRANSFER STATIONS

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Woolwich plans to hike fees levied on new homes Development charges look to recoup cost of future municipal services needed to accommodate growth STEVE KANNON

A volatile mixture of vegetable oil, methanol and potassium hydroxide sparked a massive barn fire near Heidelberg on June 17, causing upwards of $250,000 in damage. [SCOTT BARBER / THE OBSERVER]

The privilege of building a new home in Woolwich will cost you an additional $1,700 next month, as the township plans to hike its development charges by 35 per cent. The fees are intended to cover future municipal expenditures related to growth, with the developers – ultimately the buyers, of course – paying for the cost of each new addition to the building stock. For fully serviced singlefamily homes in Woolwich’s urban areas, the new charges considered by councillors Tuesday night would see levies rise to $6,712 from the current $4,986. In Breslau, due to servicing arrangements with the City of Kitchener, the increase would hit $8,432. Over the next 10 years, the township expects population to grow by 4,741 to 28,926, requiring 1,790 new residential units.

Regulated by the province, development charges are established by a formula dividing forecasted capital costs by the projected population growth. Eligible costs include long-term expenses for indoor and outdoor recreation services, administration, road construction, public works, fire protection and water services. On the non-residential side (industrial, commercial), those constructing new buildings would be assessed a fee of $1.80 per square foot, down from $1.95. For Breslau developments, the number actually increases to $2.17, again due to servicing for water and sewers. Dan Wilson of Watson & Associates Economists, the firm hired to carry out Woolwich’s development charges study, told councillors meeting June 17 that rates are arrived at FEE HIKES | 5

for stunning steps! 2 Kitchener: 68 Webster Rd.

LOCATIONS

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519.894.9997 Waterloo: 650 Weber St.N.@ Benjamin 519.888.9992 www.StoneLandscapes.ca