Kincardine Meeting Reviews Planned Development Charge Increases

Kincardine Council hosts a public meeting tonight as it looks at updating development charge rates and policies. Development charges are fees imposed on new development that fund "growth-related" capital costs. They help pay for new infrastructure and facilities to help maintain service levels to a growing population. The growth pays for growth principal ensures the financial burden of new development is not paid for by existing taxpayers. The fees help build things like new sidewalks, internal roads, parks, water and sewer mains. They don't apply to cultural, entertainment, tourism, hospitals, landfills or municipal administration facilities. Residential rates are proposed to increase by 5% or about $670. per unit. Non residential fees will go up $9.60 per square meter, a 22.5% increase. Tonight's meeting starts at 5pm in the council chamber.