Two Windsor-Essex municipalities have agreed to conditionally reduce development charges as they apply for housing-related infrastructure funding.
Kingsville Town Council voted on Monday evening to reduce development charges by 50 per cent for three years if the Town is approved for funding through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP).
On Tuesday night, Lakeshore Council followed suit, agreeing in principle to do the same, but only if their own application is successful.
Kingsville plans to use any funding it is granted toward the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and sewage transmission systems in Ruthven and Kingsville. It has an estimated $65-million price tag.
According to the report submitted to Kingsville councillors, the wastewater treatment plant operates at 90 per cent. Upgrades to the plant and enhancements to the sanitary sewers in the Main Street area and Ruthven are needed to unlock future residential development lands.
Meanwhile, Lakeshore councillors received a recommendation to cut development charges by 30 per cent, but Council agreed to bump the reduction to 50 per cent to help the Municipality's chances of DCRP approval.
Lakeshore's planned project is the Stoney Point Sewage Treatment Plant, which will provide wastewater treatment for Lakeshore’s eastern communities. The Municipality's application, if successful, would cover $52.9-million of the cost.
Despite a projected loss of revenue for three years, the report to councillors identified a potential $36.3-million net gain.
The DRCP is a cost-matched program designed to help communities improve housing through infrastructure upgrades. It is part of the $8.8 billion Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, with federal funding delivered through Ottawa's Build Communities Strong Fund’s provincial and territorial stream.
The program covers up to 90 per cent of a municipality's project, with the municipality making up the difference.
The application period is open through Friday, June 19. If the municipalities are granted funding, construction must begin by July 2030 and be completed no later than July 2035.
Amherstburg Town Council will discuss a similar plan at a special meeting on Monday.
-with files from Maureen Revait
