The Municipality of Grey Highlands is going to review its various fees and charges.
At its meeting on Nov. 6, Grey Highlands council unanimously voted to send the full fees and charges bylaw to a future committee of the whole meeting for review and discussion.
Mayor Paul McQueen made the suggestion that a review was needed of the full bylaw, after receiving a staff report that recommended minor changes to the current bylaw.
McQueen noted that there are several fees in the bylaw, that were not part of the staff report, that needed to be reviewed. He pointed out two in particular - fees for renewable energy projects and cash in lieu of parking fees.
“Some haven’t changed since 2012,” said McQueen. “I think we should have a bigger review.”
McQueen noted that the renewable energy project fees had been set in 2012 and 2013 and a lot had changed since that time with a new provincial government in office.
“The Green Energy Act is no longer there. It’s something we should take a look at,” he said.
The mayor also questioned the cash in lieu of parking fee of $625 per parking space. The parking fee is paid by a developer to the municipality in the event there is not enough room on a property to satisfy parking requirements. The municipality uses the money to create parking spaces elsewhere.
McQueen suggested, when considering the price of land, the fee could be increased to $6,000.
After a brief discussion, Clerk Amanda Fines-VanAlstine suggested council proceed with the updates recommended in the report and have a subsequent and separate motion for a full discussion about fees and charges at a future committee of the whole meeting.
Council agreed and voted 7-0 in favour of bringing the matter to the committee of the whole.
The changes to the fees and charges bylaw recommended by staff in the report and approved by council included:
- Adding a $75 fee for the cost of signs the municipality must post at a property subject to a zoning or official plan amendment application.
- A new $200 fee for fire safety plan consultation.
- An update to description of commissioning services offered by the municipality.
