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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/1991 (special) . . . TOWN OF NEWCASTLE Special Council Minutes September 9, 1991 Minutes of a special meeting of Council held on September 9, 1991, at 1:30 p.rn., in the Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present Were: Mayor M. Hubbard Councillor P. Deegan Councillor D. Hamre Councillor L. Hannah Councillor K Hooper (Attended at 2:15 p.m.) Councillor F. Stapleton Councillor A Wotten Also Present: Chief Administrative Officer, L. Kotseff Director of Community Services, J. Caruana Fire Chief, M. Creighton Director of Public Works, W. Evans Town Solicitor, D. Hefferon Treasurer, M. Marano Director of P1anning, F. Wu Town Clerk, P. Barrie Councillor Stapleton led the meeting in prayer. Mayor Hubbard indicated, that in accordance with Section 4 of the Development Charges Act, a public meeting is being held to enable the public to understand generally the development charge proposal Mr. Harvey Partner, Chairman, Newcastle Hydro-Electric Commission introduced the following individuals who were present for the meeting: George Van Dyke, Commissioner George Moore, Commissioner Pauline Storks, Commissioner Dave Clark, Manager; and Bud Moore, Manager Mr. Gary Scandian and Mr. Craig Binning, of C.N. Watson and Associates Limited, gave an overview of the Town of Newcastle proposed Development Charge Policies. Through his presentation Mr. Scandian highlighted the following areas: What are development charges? What qualifies as growth-related services? Town of Newcastle's current practice Schedule of recommended development charges Other recommendations Development charge comparisons within the Region of Durham Development charge market impact theories; and A timetable for the implementation of the Development Charge By-law. Special Council Minutes - 2 - September 9, 1991 . Mayor Hubbard indicated that Council would hear from anyone present wishing to speak on this matter. Dennis Szechy, G.M. Sernas and Associates Limited, 110 Scotia Court, Whitby, LlN 8Y7, addressed Council on behalf of Oceanfront Development, owners of land located south of the 401 Highway and west of Bennett Road. Mr. Szechy voiced his concern with respect to the recommendation of implementing a non-residential levy and indicated that this is a new tax which will have major negative impact on the competitiveness of the Town of Newcastle. The proposed rate is the highest within the Region of Durham at $91,000 per acre (based on 40% density). Mr. Szechy indicated that the population growth of 4.7% per annum appears too high and the industrial growth of 5.3% per annum seems even higher. He stated that if these forecasts are accurate, perhaps we are living beyond our means. Mr. Szechy reiterated that if the new charges are implemented, Newcastle will be priced right out of the market. Yvonne Hamlin, Goodman and Carr, 200 King Street West, Toronto M5H IB7, addressed Council on behalf of the South Bowmanville Industrial Park and indicated her concurrence with the comments previously made by Mr. Szechy. She requested that Council seriously consider the impact of placing a levy on the commercis1/industrial base. . Mr. John Scott, Markborough Properties, 1 Dundas Street West, Suite 2800, Toronto, M5G 2J2, addressed Council with respect to the proposed Markborough Properties/West Bowmanville Development. He indicated that if Council should approve a non-residential charge, $1.5 million will be added to the nearly $3 million cost of this development. He indicated that the implementation of a commercial/industrial levy could affect the economic viability of the Town of Newcastle and may mean deferral of construction until the economy improves. Mr. Scott stated that the Town of Newcastle needs to become more competitive and requested that Council reconsider the implementation of this levy. Mr. Daryl Hudgin, Ontario Homebuilders Association, 20 Upjohn Street, Toronto, M3B 2V9, stated that in these trying times, increasing the levy is totally unrealistic and will bring new construction sites to a halt in the Town of Newcastle. He indicated that homeowners simply cannot afford the cost of an increased levy. He indicated that the report proposes over 1100 units constructed per year and, since ouly 590 units per year have been constructed over the last five years, Mr. Hudgin feels this prediction is very unlikely. It is his feeling that the increases in the taxes should be spread out throughout the entire Town, not just placed on the new homeowner. . Mr. Bob Schickedanz, 3311 Bayview Avenue, Suite 105, Willowdale, M2K IG4, stated that the proposed charge is an unfair taxation on new home buyers and questioned why it should only be the new homeowners that are paying for the increased services. He stated that if people expect to receive services above those required by law, the population in general should pay for it. Mr. Schickedanz feels that more consultation with the development industry is required prior to implementation of the new levy. . . . Special Council Minutes - 3 - September 9, 1991 Resolution #C-515-91 Moved by Councillor Hamre, seconded by Councillor Deegan THAT Council recess for 10 minutes. "CARRIED' The meeting reconvened at 3:10 p.m. Mr. Wayne Jeffery, questioned the consultant with respect to parkland acquisition through subdivision agreements. Mr. Gary Scandian replied to Mr. Jeffery's question. Mr. Steven Frank ofW. Frank Real Estate, 234 King Street East, Bowmanville, LIC IP6, stated that he has had the opportunity to meet with buainesses and see how companies make their decisions on where to locate. He stated that the Town must create incentives and become more competitive rather than placing large levies on the land (in order to attract the industry which is desperately needed). Mr. Bill Manson, WDM Consultants, 20 Clematis Road, Willowdale, M2J 4X2, questioned the parkland acquisition clause of subdivision agreements as to whether or not the municipality may buy additional land from that allocated in the Planning Act and also how the municipality will pay hack for oversizing of services. Resolution #C-516-91 Moved by Councillor Hamre, seconded by Councillor Hannah THAT the proposed Development Charge Policy Report prepared by C.N. Watson and Associates Limited, together with all submissions received with respect to this matter, be referred to staff for analysis and preparation of a subsequent report. "CARRIEDIt CONFIRMING BY-LAW Resolution #C-517-91 Moved by Councillor Stapleton, seconded by Councillor Wotten THAT leave be granted to introduce By-law 91-137, being a by-law to confJrID the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Newcastle at this meeting held on the 9th day of September 1991, and that the said by-law be now read a first time. 'CARRIED" . . . Special Council Minutes CONFIRMING BY-LAW Resolution #C-518-91 ADJOURNMENT - 4- September 9, 1991 Moved by Councillor Stapleton, seconded by Councillor Wotten THAT the second reading of By-law 91-137 be approved. Recorded Vote Yea Councillor Deegan Councillor Hamre Councillor Hannah Councillor Hooper Councillor Stapleton Councillor Wotten Mayor Hubbard Resolution #C-519-91 'CARRIED ON THE FOLLOWING RECORDED VOTE" Nav Absent Moved by Councillor Stapleton, seconded by Councillor Wotten THAT the third and fmal reading of By-law 91-137 be approved. Resolution #520-91 "CARRIED" Moved by Councillor Wotten, seconded by Councillor Stapleton THAT the meeting adjourn at 3:40 p.rn. 'CARRIED" MAYOR