NEW DEVELOPMENT CHARGES COME CLOSER TO COVERING COST OF GROWTH

Growth does not pay its way. Even though development charges cover some of the cost of growth, limits on what can be included in development charges in provincial legislation makes it impossible to recover the full cost of growth to municipalities through development charges.

As an example, when a road is widened it is assumed that a certain portion of the project benefits residents who already live there. The trouble with this thinking is that without growth we wouldn’t need the road widening.

But even with these restrictions, what cities decide can increase or reduce the percentage of growth related costs that taxpayers must fund. When development charges come closer to covering the cost of growth, the cost for taxpayers is reduced. When development charges are lowered, the cost increases.

The increase in development charges approved by council last week will reduce the cost of growth to taxpayers. Getting more of the funding needed for infrastructure required by growth will also make it a bit easier to get facilities we need due to growth built in a timely fashion.

Limits on what can be covered by development charges means that growth is still a net cost for taxpayers. Because of planning decisions made in the past, we are still seeing the type of growth that adds to the operating budget pressures. Within these constraints, the new development charge rates are a step in the right direction.

JULY 15 DEADLINE FOR FEEDBACK ON LRT TECHNOLOGY

To ensure the views of transit users and people who would like to be transit users are part of the decision, the City is asking for feedback on the options for light rail (LRT) technology. While it is too early to be picking specific vehicles, knowing the priorities people place on the different issues around light rail vehicles will help make sure whatever is chosen will boost transit ridership. As an example of the choices to be made, having only one type of vehicle would reduce maintenance costs, but it may mean more crowded trains on busy routes. Presentations on the options can be found at ottawa.ca/lrt-forum.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON PLANS FOR RICHMOND ROAD

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on plans for Richmond Road between Stonehaven and Hunt Club. The need for an environmental assessment for some of the options provided by traffic engineers mean there is a difficult choice between the time it will take to get improvements in place and the effectiveness of those improvements. That is a choice people who use the intersection on a daily basis are in the best position to make.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca.