Consultant suggests development charges between $13k and $23K in Warwick

March 4, 2023

A consultant is recommending Warwick Township start charging nearly $19,000 in development fees for new homes.
But not all councillors are convinced it is a good idea.
Monday Daryl Abbs of Watson & Associates Economists presented a report on development fees saying “ensuring that growth does pay their fair share of the development targets, or their fair share of the capital costs, is the sound financial approach.
The report calculates how much money would be needed to pay for new services like water, wastewater, fire and recreation because of growth. Abbs says $13,322 would cover that cost in rural areas and $23,685 would be appropriate in urban areas. Because the provincial government is limiting the amount of fees charged to 80 per cent right now, that would mean a developer would pay $10,658 per home in rural areas and $18,948 in urban areas. Non-residential construction would pay development fees based on square footage – $4.10 in the urban area and 56 cents per square foot in rural areas.
The numbers worried some councillors. “That $10,000 a house you were talking to you might be the difference between somebody who can afford it and can’t afford it. We’re looking at trying to find housing for people,” said Councillor Wayne Morris.
Deputy Mayor Jerry Westgate agreed saying Warwick is in a unique situation because it has another source of income – the landfill – “maybe we don’t need development fees the same as other places.”
Treasurer Trevor Jarrett pointed out Warwick is the only community along a 400 Highway without the fees.
Warwick is projected to build 465 new homes in the community in the next 15 years.
Council made no decision on the fees.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Plans for Camlachie mini arena shelved

April 24, 2025

The project’s drivers – the Huron Shores Optimists – say it would place a financial burden on the club Heather Wright/The Independent The Huron Shores Optimist and the Town of Plympton-Wyoming say they will be working together on a recreation project in Camlachie, but it won’t be the $2.3 million outdoor arena project. The Optimist floated the idea of an

Read More

Image
Front Page

Petrolia, WM give out $15K in green grants

April 23, 2025

There will be more trails, trees and environmentally-friendly lighting thanks to the Town of Petrolia and WM’s Green Grants. The town announced $15,000 in funding on Earth Day. 2025 Successful Projects: The IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter was successful in their application for Moncreif Park and JubileeTrail Revitalization in the amount of $5,000. The funds will be used to plant native

Read More

Image
Front Page

‘We will be fighting this’ bid to push through York1 plan Canniff tells province

April 23, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent When Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff first got the call, he thought it was good news. Instead, he’s gearing up for an all-out fight to stop York1 Environmental Waste Solutions from pushing through its plans to reopen the derelict Dresden dump. Canniff got a call from the Minister of the Environment’s office Thursday around noon. When he returned

Read More

Image
Front Page

Petrolia Water intake contractor approved

April 22, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Two major projects in Petrolia are moving forward. In 2022, the town received of a $16 million grant to replace the Lake Huron water intake pipe which was installed in 1944 and is nearing the end of its life. Monday, Petrolia council awarded the contract for the new water intake at the Brights Grove Water Treatment Plant

Read More