City administrative staff will be recommending that developers pay 100 per cent of the costs for future upgrades to the north and south water reservoirs when the new offsite levy bylaw comes before council in September.
City staff hosted an open house about proposed changes to the offsite levy bylaw Aug. 8 for developers and landowners. Work on updating the bylaw has been underway for two years.
Tracy Allen, director of engineering, said after analyzing the current water infrastructure system and needs and demands, staff are recommending the 100 per cent cost for developers on any north and south reservoir upgrades because new growth would be the driving force behind any such upgrades.
“The existing reservoirs are adequately sized to support a population of 75,000,” Allen said.
Meanwhile the city will pick up the tab to rebuild the Sturgeon pumphouse and reservoir in the next 10 years, she said.
The zero-100 per cent split is different from the proposal brought to council earlier this year – administration had recommended the city pay for 25 per cent of any water infrastructure costs, but council had put over a decision on that recommendation. The transmission main split is recommended to be 25 per cent cost to city and 75 per cent paid for by developers.
The water infrastructure charge was the big change from the offsite levy structure proposed earlier this year, she said. A second change is the recommendation from staff that council defer implementation of a front-ending/debt-sharing policy because of the complexity involved in drafting such a policy. She said the public will be part of that process.
“It will all be very open and transparent,” she said.
Offsite levy rates will increase on average by about $30,000, Allen said, though the actual amount will depend on the development area.
“The increase is largely attributed to two key reasons, one being the introduction of the collector to arterial intersections and the recommended change in infrastructure funding for the water. The other factors would be the changes in construction and the interest costs,” Allen said, adding rates haven’t changed since 2011.
Copies of the proposed bylaw will be available Aug. 19 she said. Comments about the presentation are due by Aug. 16. It’s scheduled to be presented to council Sept. 3. Allen said if there are concerns or comments past Aug. 16, she encourages people to register and speak.
