Langley Township could have among the highest rates of development charges in the region, raising its rate for single-family homes by as much as 83 per cent, if a new plan is adopted.
On Monday, July 10, council heard from consultants with Urban Systems who had put together a proposal for adjusting development cost charges (DCCs), which are charged to every developer when a new home, industrial site, or store is built.
DCCs are to cover the costs that local governments take on when there is new construction – building and maintaining new roads, sidewalks, street lights, local parks, and other local services.
“Development cost charges ensure growth pays for growth,” said consultant Jenn Waite of Urban Systems.
The Township increases would be the first in several years for local DCCs, and would be significant:
• Single family homes would increase 83 per cent, from $48,356 per unit to $88,347
• Lower-density townhouses would increase 47 per cent, from $40,104 to $59,109 per unit
• Higher-density townhomes and low-density apartments would go up 64 per cent, from $32,705 to $39,256 per unit
• High-density apartments would rise 47 per cent, from $25,647 per unit to $39,256
• Industrial sites would see a 50 per cent increase, from $33.84 per square metre to $50.66
Waite said the increases are based on the costs the Township is taking on through its DCC expenses. As the cost of land and other goods has risen, the Township’s costs for new parks and roads in particular has shot up.
“It does reflect the costs for the Township that’s needed to service growth,” said Waite.
The Township’s DCCs would be higher than those of many local municipalities of a similar size.
“Would we now be at the highest in the region?” asked Councillor Kim Richter.
The consultants confirmed that the Township would be the highest or near-highest in terms of its rates in the area.
However, several other communities, including Maple Ridge, Delta, and Port Coquitlam are also currently revising their DCC rates, and some communities have switched to a system of increasing their DCCs automatically based on the Consumer Price Index.
“And that’s something the Township could consider from here on,” remarked Mayor Eric Woodward.
If the Township moves ahead with the changes, the new rates would not come in overnight.
They would have to be reviewed by the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and if approved, council would be able to adopt them around November or December this year.
Then there would be a one-year “in-stream protection” grace period, so developers just getting their projects off the ground wouldn’t be subject to the new fees immediately.
When regional sewerage rates – similar to DCCs – increased in 2018, there was a rush of developers trying to get their projects approved before the deadline.
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Have a story tip? Email: matthew.claxton@langleyadvancetimes.com
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