Back to SearchTuesday night’s Council meeting began with a Building Permit Activity report from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The report summarized the number of permits issued (326), new dwellings (147), value of work (approx. $58.9 million) and fees collected (approx. $531 thousand) for the 3rd quarter of 2020. The number of permits issued, and new dwellings is comparable to 2018 and higher than 2017 and 2019.
Council has approved an amendment to the Development Charges Background Study and By-law. Over the last year, the Province of Ontario undertook a review of the Development Charges Act by Bill 108, the More Homes More Choice Act, which was proclaimed on September 18, 2020. One of the amendments to the Development Charges Act is the removal of the statutory 10% deduction for “soft services” allowing municipalities to charge 100% which is the same as all other services. Soft services included services for administration, parks and recreation, libraries and childcare. To make this change the municipality will be using Watson and Associates Economists LTD. to amend the Development Charges background study and by-law.
Council directed staff to take steps towards the addition of new uses for the Mississippi Mills Business Park in Almonte to allow a wider range of permitted uses/businesses. The Business Park was created to allow a wide range of commercial and industrial uses for small to large businesses and encourage additional employment opportunities. Phase 1 and 2 have been sold and the municipality is currently focusing on the development of Phase 3. Consultations and Zoning By-law amendments will be required before the new uses can be approved.
The Fees and Charges by-law for 2021 has been approved. Each year Department Heads conduct a review of the fees and charges pertaining to their service area. Fee changes reflect market rates compared to other municipalities and align the fee with the actual cost of providing the service, and if no longer required, the fee is removed. The proposed fee changes are designed to ensure that the cost of providing a specific service is fully or partially recovered from the user of the service, while minimizing the cost and effect to all ratepayers. To view the current and 2021 Fees and Charges by-laws please visit our Budget and Finance page.
The following staff reports were heard by Committee of the Whole and will be brought forward to Council at an upcoming Council meeting for final approval:
- Official Plan Amendment 22 - Project Update
- Fire Truck Conversion Update
- 2020 Interim Financial Report 9 on Covid 19
- Expropriation of Lands along the Unopened Portion of Menzie Street
Upcoming Meetings:
- Special Committee of the Whole Budget Meeting – November 24, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
- Regular Meeting – December 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
- Special Committee of the Whole Budget Meeting – December 7, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
- Regular Meeting – December 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
