Mayor pre-empts staff report, sets developer surcharge for parks

[Source By Adam McLean  Jun 30, 2011 - 2:59 PM]

Hogg, Foster vote against parkland figure and decision

“I feel like I’ve been left in the dark. I’ve never felt that way before after 20 years on this council,” said a dejected Regional Councillor Brenda Hogg.

She was reacting to an amendment endorsed by councillors Monday night, regarding a cash-in-lieu parkland acquisition surcharge that will be applied to “in the pipe” development projects within Richmond Hill over the next 18 months.

The amendment wasn’t listed on the initial council agenda, but was added under new business by Mayor Dave Barrow Monday afternoon. That night — before a staff report on the issue was complete — council voted 6 to 2 in favor of a $10,000 charge to developers, per residential unit, for parkland.

That money will be used to secure parks as a cash-in-lieu payment or donation of one hectare of green space to the town for every 300 development units, as prescribed in the town’s official plan.

Prior to this amendment in lieu of land, council would require the payment of money equal to the value of land required for park or other recreational purposes.

As there are roughly 4,000 to 5,000 units of proposed or possible housing projects slated for Richmond Hill over the next 18 months, the possibility of acquiring $40 million in cash was seen as worthy of endorsement by six council members.

Read Full article at yorkregion.com

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