From a financial perspective…

From a financial perspective, Bill 185 would result in a positive outcome for the Township’s finances. The proposed changes to the Development Charges Act would eliminate the five (5) year phase in of new fees resulting in the Township recouping development charge fees it would not have collected under the current legislation. Similarly, the proposed Bill 185 amendment to the Planning Act would rescind the mandatory requirement of municipalities to automatically refund Planning Application fees should a decision not be rendered per the minimum timelines specified by the Act. This resumes the principle that Development should pay for development.

With regard to securing the goal of more homes as soon as possible, the Province is proposing to limit the appeals by third parties to Planning Act applications. For the same purpose, the Province proposes to allow applicants requesting a settlement area expansion to appeal a non-decision or refusal. In addition, the Province is proposing to eliminate the requirement of ‘pre-consultation’. This last item may cause some confusion in terms of determining a ‘complete application’ however the Planning review clock would continue to start upon ‘complete application’ being issued by the municipality.

The two Municipal Act amendments are significant. The first, in permitting municipalities to determine the allocation of water and sewer services, will greatly assist municipalities in planning for orderly development. The second item is significant as municipalities have been restricted in their ability to enhance their economic health by offering direct incentives to investors. The proposed change to the Municipal Act will permit municipalities to be more competitive in concert with the Province in securing significant investment projects.

Finally, the ‘use it of lose it’ approach is intended to limit the speculation market and those land developers who sit on parcels of land which enjoy planning approvals with no plan to proceed with development. This amendment to the Planning Act is intended to bring on lands to the market sooner under penalty of losing the planning approval or servicing allocation. This condition should be read in conjunction with the Municipal Act amendment which allows municipalities to adopt water and sewer allocation plans with the goal of achieving planned, fully-serviced, orderly development.