City council has approved two new schemes that will help pay for a future LRT or rapid bus transit line from Edmonton.
The new funds include a new tax levy for LRT expansion, and a voluntary charge to developers based on new land developed in St. Albert. Both ideas were approved in majority votes.
Coun. Len Bracko, who introduced the motion, said the move was necessary to show the province and capital that the city is serious about bringing LRT or bus rapid transit (BRT) to St. Albert.
"It's important to look at the big picture of St. Albert in the future," said Bracko on Monday. "Many things are lining up and I believe that St. Albert, as a council, needs to get on board and lobby and do everything it can to make it happen."
The tax levy scheme would charge homeowners $1 for every $100,000 of property assessment. That equates to a $4 charge on a home worth $400,000, an amount that would show up as a separate line on property tax notices. The city expects to collect around $94,000 annually through the fund.
Bracko said the tax levy was not meant to be a tax increase, but a symbolic show of support from the residents to the provincial and federal governments about how serious St. Albert is about improving public transit.
"There is a benefit to all," said Bracko. "There's been a shortage of employees and opportunities here, the aging population are reluctant to drive and are more willing to take transit … it just makes sense."
Chris Jardine, general manager of community and protective services, said he was unsure what immediate effect the $94,000 for the new reserve would have on property tax increases this year. That will depend on final budget adjustments before tax notices are mailed later this spring, he said.
Voluntary charge
The development charge will see the city request developers to pay a one-time contribution of $100 per hectare of new land that's developed in St. Albert, money that would go into an LRT reserve. The payment is purely voluntary as council was advised forcing contributions for such a purpose would go against the Municipal Government Act.
Coun. James Burrows was skeptical about the idea, noting LRT plans were not ready and that it may take 25 years before it arrives on St. Albert's doorstep. He felt the move was premature and unwanted.
"The way I look at it, wholistically, Edmonton is looking at their backyard," he said. "As noble of an idea as this is, this is really far-fetched in my opinion."
Bracko said the move also ensures St. Albert is at the table when it comes time to plan future LRT extensions. With Edmonton bidding for the 2017 Expo, there might be an increased chance of new funding being approved for LRT, he said.
Neil Jamieson, general manager of planning and engineering, said St. Albert is already in discussions with Edmonton about the potential route that would bring the LRT from NAIT to the southern part of St. Albert.
Edmontnon is evaluating eight possible routes for the northwest LRT line, a $1.5-billion project. The corridors would begin at NAIT and run near either St. Albert Trail, 127th Street or 113A Street, and end at a new park 'n' ride to be constructed on the southern edge of St. Albert.
