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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-09-14, Page 11�y 1 . Ary. 1. .A,�..��,.,,, i,..9,* ,., • • •,t • .. , • • • , .,•_• • 4N .Septsmbar 14,Q 44 •.'1> (ee�koreitdvana9' 41. Lambton Shores Council: Building increases will go forward Lynda Hlllman- Rapley Lakeshore Advance l,atmhton Shows council agreed that attar reviewing the ding and plan- g activities to date, the decision to amend the fees by 50 per cent of the recommended increases effective September 2011, and the balance of the increase as of September 2012 be warmed. These increases will help bring the operations closer to cost recovery, however, staff says this will not likely be enough to min- pensate for the lower number of applications. Lambton Shores council debated the increase for building permit and planning development fees. It was agreed the increase approved in the 2011 budget deliberations would go through. In a report to council, Clerk Carol McKenzie said one of the most challenging aspects of the annual budget preparation is pre- dicting revenues for the forthcom- ing year. For business units such as Plan- ning & Develop- ment and Building Permit fees, the historical data Athe average ber of applica- received each year and informa- tion from develop- ers on pending developments is considered and used to estimate revenues. We also review the antici- pated start up of new develop- ment construction even though that is largely influenced by broader eco- nomic and market conditions. In addition, to ensure that the fees being charged by Lambton Shores are comparable, we also review fees in neigh- bouring municipalities. After reviewing the proposed projects, and the anticipated fixed expenses, and comparing fees charged in neigh- bouring municipalities, a recommenda- tion was included in the 2011 budget that the fees for certain planing and building permit fees increase. After considering the platter during the deliberations, the Council decision was to defer the increase until September, and to phrase its the recommended increase with 50% effective September 2011, and the bal- ance of the increase effective September 2012. 2011 has been an atypical year for building and planning activities, not only due to the economic conditions that have influenced developments, but also, the weather during the spring and early sum- mer was not conducive to building. Circumstances may be changing, in that, even though overall the number of permits to date are down, building activities in August 2011 were the strongest for residential permits since August 2004 and both the value of con- struction and the permit fees exceed the values in 2010. 'There still isn't enough data to determine if this increase in building activities will continue for the balance of the year. One trend that has held constant throughout the year is that them are more renovation and addition projects then new dwellings. Regardless Of the number Of new per- mits, inspectors remain busy, as in addi- tion to working on the current permits; many of the inspections that take place are on permits issued in previous years, as there are currently 297 open permits that are being managed. Along with the activities that generate funds, building staff also spend a consid- erable amount of time on keeping current with Building Code changes, providing technical knowledge and information about applicable legislation to contrac- tors and residents, reviewing application TME EMERALD ASN BORER (EAB) is killing ash trees throughout Ontario. Help protect our trees! EAB has been detected in southern Ontario. The following counties are in the regulated area: Essex (1), Chatham -Kent (2), Lambton (3), Middlesex (4), Elgin (5), Huron (6), Perth (7), Oxford (8), Norfolk (9), Wellington (10), Waterloo (11), Brant (12), Haldirnand (13), Hamilton (14), Niagara (15), Halton (16), Peel (17), Toronto (18), York (19), and Durham (20). EAB regulated area in southem Ontario EAB is a destructive insect that spreads to new areas when infested wood is moved. By federal Ministerial Order, anyone moving ash tree materials or firewood out of these 20 counties without written permission from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency may be fined or prosecuted. DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD For more information, visit www.letspostkernipcsa/puts or call 1446.463.6017 191 Canadian Food Aaa oaedlsnns Inspection Agency cf n sp.ct1on des aNmsnts Canad1 for special events and meting on sites to discuss property issues and disputes. Where has also been an increase in the number of people building without a per- mit, and other non-compliance issues 111111 require significant staff time for follow up. "As noted above, 1ve use as touch data ars possible when estimating revenues for the upcoming year; however, there are often circumstances or situations that impact our expectations. As reported previously, due to the low number of per- mits this year, it is not likely that the budget projections for building revenues will be met. " Deputy mayor Elizabeth Davis Dagg said she wanted to reiterate her serious concern about building in Lambton Shores and with the signs of slow downs; this is not the time for increased fees. Councilor 1.orie Scott disagreed saying there has been a lot of opportunity for people to put shovel to the ground when the costs were cheaper. Councilor Ruth lllnlan said what they had in front of them has already been approved and based on the data they should stick with their origi- nal decision. Councilor John Russell agreed saying the time between budget and September was to encourage build- ers to get their shovels in the ground before the prices went up. "Councilor Doug Cook agreed saying, "Fees have been low 1111 year and no shovels in the ground." Dag; saki the prices are text high alwady. „Our user Ivy system is to recover costs -staff time etc. that is what our recov- ery is -a cost we pass off to customer -this is the cost of doing business" Councilor Ruth Illman said even with reduced increases- "we are still not at cost recov- ery so tax payers are still paying" Dagg said it may be good idea to give tax pay- ers a chance to communicate their con- cerns before the next increase and mayor Bill Weber said residents can contact them at any time as all of this information is on their web page. Councilor Doug Bonesteel asked lithe Planner could get a status report on both the Troupe and South Bend properties. "I would like to know what their plans are.' he said. L'AGRILE DU FRENE est en train de fuer des frenes d'un bout a I'autre de I'0ntario. Aiden -nous a proteger ces arbres! La presence de I'agnle du Prone o ete detectee dans le sud de ('Ontario. Cette zone reglementee englobe les comtes suivants : Essex (1); Chatham -Kent (2); Lambton (3); Middlesex (4); Elgin (5); Huron (6); Perth (7); Oxford (8); Norfolk (9); Wellington (10); Waterloo (11); Brant (12); Holdimand (13); Hamilton (14); Niagara (15); Halton (16); Peel (1/); Toronto (18); York (19); Durham (20). Zone reglementee du sud de ('Ontario Ole l'agrile du frene est un insecte nuisihle qui se propoge dons de nouvelles regions pot le transport de bois infeste. En vertu d'un wrote ministeriel federal, toute personne deplacant des produits du frene ou du bois de chauffage 6 partir de ces 20 comtes, d aloins de permission ecrite de I'Agence canadienne d'inspection des aliments, est passible d'une anlende ou s'expose d des poursuites ludiciairos. 1*1 NE DEPLACEZ PAS DE 1015 DE CHAUFFAGE Pour de plus apples renseignernents, visitez le site wwwJNspedionege.ea/phyteravagoars ou composez le 1-864-463-6017 Ap canadienne Canadian Food d'� des aliments Inspection Agency CanadN