Quinte Homebuilders Association President Jonathon Van Huisen told council, “Although there is the potential for the Infrastructure strategy and the Parks and Recreation strategy to cause potentially more increases to development charges”
“It is our position that it is still all relative what you put on the list and what is most important. Our goal is to make sure that the increases are good and in a support role.”
Van Huisen said the Association is ready to make a difference in affordable housing.
“Might be to use all your terms to tackle affordable housing in the region. That is our commitment to make sure at the end of this when it comes to new home construction, whatever type of home it is it is competitive and good.”
“Next year we’ll talk more about intensification in the downtown core … is that something we can look at in talks. Intensification does not cost as much from the city side, doesn’t cost as much for growth.”
Councillor Bill Sandison questioned the amount of the increase, “Development charges are not a levy on the Homebuilders Association. It’s a levy on new home buyers.”
Sandison called it an increasing financial burden for the home buyers and did not support the increase.
Councillor Paul Carr called it a”reasonable compromise.”
Mayor Mich Panciuk pointed to issues that came out of the housing summit on the the rental side, ” but we also see today the average home cost and what that means to people who want to stay in Belleville. We cant just focus on rental…We need to see these increases to recoup our costs…in six months we’ll have a by-law for the next five years.”
City staff will provide an updated study to council within six months.