At their meeting on June 17th Council gave three readings to the 2025 Development Cost Charge Amendment Bylaw. With recent provincial legislation changes, eligible DCC categories have been expanded to allow eligible capital infrastructure associated with police, fire, solid waste and recycling to be incorporated into local government's DCC bylaws should they choose. The DCC bylaw amendment is proposing an average total DCC increase of 6% among the residential development classifications, with higher increases for commercial and industrial classifications.  

An analysis was undertaken by staff to determine how adding eligible projects within these new categories may affect the DCC bylaw and associated rates. The analysis identified eligible growth-related projects that would fit into these new categories to determine the effects on DCC rates. While undertaking the analysis, it was determined that adding projects within all new categories would place a substantial increase and burden on DCC rates, however, there was significant importance placed upon ensuring the City is planning with long-term vision to ensure future anticipated growth related infrastructure is being diligently planned with a funding strategy in place. In doing so, the need for future infrastructure to support safe and effective fire protection services to support anticipated growth was identified as a priority within the new categories.  

As a result, it is recommended to include only a new, fire protection infrastructure category within the bylaw. However, if an effort to alleviate the initial burden that would come with an immediate, full implementation that would result from this category addition, it is recommended that this implementation be phased in over a period of time, which would allow for the development community to adjust and plan for the rate increase. 

The bylaw will now be referred to the Province for review and approval, and upon approval from the Province will be referred back to Council for final adoption.  

Additional information can be found in the  full report by City staff.