Development charges will be collected in Sarnia again, after the city was left in limbo for the first two weeks of 2024.
Sarnia council adopted a new development charges bylaw on Monday after the former bylaw expired at the end of 2023.
Councillor Brian White said residents who can't afford to build, to buy, and who are struggling to hang onto the homes they have would be the most impacted (if the bylaw wasn't adopted).
"The reality is the less we charge people who can afford new homes, more of that burden is shared by people who cannot afford new homes," White said.
He said it's "about being fair to all."
"Unfortunately, if you want to build new roads, and provide new services to areas that currently don't have homes, the people who can afford to live there, and move there, and build there, are the ones that are going to have to put up the money. That's just the way it is," White added.
Councillor Terry Burrell felt the charges were "more than justifiable."
Councillor Bill Dennis, a former real estate broker who has spoken out against the charges several times, voted against the recommendation.
"We will drive citizens away, and again this residential growth will pay taxes to our neighbouring municipalities, yet they will still use our roads, beaches, parks and our arenas," said Dennis.
The decision was made after Lakeshore Community Church Pastor Kevin McKee told council about the shock felt when the congregation was handed a bill for $117,000 in development charges in order to receive a building permit to expand.
"As a non-profit charity that's been working hard, and long, to raise money from people in our congregation for this project, to have to pay this large amount of money to get our permit in hand is a significant impact for us, to say the least," said McKee.
He said they've paid, but he asked council to consider adding a bylaw exemption for places of worship.
McKee also wondered if the church could recoup any of the fees if council agreed to an exemption in the future.
Engineering and Operations Manager David Jackson said council will have one year to amend the document.
Staff were asked to report back on a possible amendment for religious organizations.
Staff said previously the charges would decrease this year as a result of the new bylaw.