December 14, 2011
Development fees for
Laurentian Hills?
by Denise Walker
How many severances equal a plan of subdivision?
Last week, members of Laurentian Hills' planning committee found
themselves trying to dance on the head of that pin.
They were reviewing an application by Jim Gleason to sever a lot on
Gleason Lane, off Wylie Road. The municipality has already allowed
three severances on the property in recent years.
Building inspector, Gerry Dupuis, explained that, because this is the
fourth severance, the County of Renfrew wanted the town to confirm that
it was satisfied that a plan of subdivision was not required.
Dupuis told the committee that the town could support a report
justifying the creation of an additional lot, without a plan of
subdivision.
In his report, Dupuis states that there is adequate land for private
water and sewer services, and that a plan of subdivision is not
necessary “for the proper and orderly development of the land.”
Dupuis also states that no grading or drainage concerns are expected as
a result of the proposed lot.
However, councillors saw some red flags in the proposal.
Councillor John Hoyle asked Dupuis whether council would be on the hook
to “approve other proposals where people wanted to avoid a plan of
subdivision”?
Mayor Dick Rabishaw and planning chair, Brenda Blimkie, pressed Dupius
on the condition of the road servicing the lots.
Public works superintendent, Scott Loos, agreed with their concerns.
“The road is a gravel road. It’s narrow in spots and is pretty much a
single track road,” he told the committee.
He also said the area was prone to flooding and that the town had
recently installed two extra culverts to try and help the situation.
Nevertheless, he confirmed that the road was a municipal road and met
municipal standards.
Rabishaw was concerned over future costs to the town to improve the
road.
“There are seven houses along there already,” he said, querying whether
the road can handle more traffic.
He pointed out that, under a plan of subdivision, the developer has to
pay towards those costs.
Dupuis explained that the road could be widened.
“There is 10 feet of land for the road that no one else can use. It is
up to the legal standard,” he said.
Planning chair Brenda Blimkie decided that the committee needed more
time to review the application. The committee will look at it again in
the New Year.
The committee also heard a brief update on the proposed Munro Street
subdivision in Chalk River.
Councillor Blimkie said that the developers will pave the roads on the
subdivision and put in streetlights.
They will put the hydro lines for the subdivision underground.
All the talk of new lots and new development has got Mayor Dick
Rabishaw thinking.
He told council he had been talking with other mayors about development
fees and how they worked.
“The money raised is used to help provide recreational facilities,” he
explained to the planning committee.
Rabishaw said such fees ranged from $1,600 to $ 3,500 for each lot.
Kirby explained that the town would need to have a study done by an
independent consultant, before it could introduce development fees.
Rabishaw acknowledged there would be a cost to the town, but argued,
“we should research this, if we agree we should look at these fees, and
then we will have the study done.”
Rabishaw pointed out that other area municipalities, such as Petawawa,
have development fees.
“Having the fees hasn’t deterred developers there,” he said, and asked
the planning committee to look into the issue and report back next year.
“I think it's time to consider this,” he urged the committee.
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