A new interim policy on Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) for 黑马磁力 Township has replaced the one struck down last month by the B.C. judge.
A judge ruled that the Township's policy was invalid after the municipality was sued by Lorval Developments and Martini Film Studios, over a proposed project in Willoughby. Lorval argued the policy was not supported by provincial law, and the judge agreed.
On Monday, July 7, the council voted to adopt a new, interim CAC policy.
CACs are collected by a number of municipal governments, and are usually used to pay for things such as rec centres and other amenities that are not covered by provincially-mandated development fees.
A report to the council said that the new policy includes discussing amenity contributions with developers.
CACs can be negotiated with builders on a case-by-case basis, either as part of a phased development agreement, or the developer can consider contributions as a result of rezoning negotiations with the Township.
Councillor Margaret Kunst had some questions about the interim policy, and said the Township doesn't really know how it's going to land with developers.
She also asked about whether the Township will soon be switching to a process of Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs), which are a new category of fees created by the provincial government. ACCs are collected somewhat differently from CACs, and cities and towns have to create new policies to start collecting them. Among other things, ACC funding is targeted towards specific projects, and there are consultation requirements.
Mayor Eric Woodward noted that ACCs don't necessarily replace CACs, and said there would be more consideration if an ACC policy is brought into place in the Township.
