Forget the suite fees, say councillors
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: November 05, 2009 2:08 PM
Township council turned down a recommendation from staff to start charging fees for secondary suites, calling the idea “nothing more than a cash grab.”
Staff proposed stepping up enforcement and charging fees for utility usage.
“It hasn’t been that long since we legalized suites. This is too quick. The process works right now which is two written complaints before we go and inspect,” said Councillor Bob Long.
Councillor Charlie Fox pointed out that there has only been 40 formal complaints since the Township legalized suites.
“That’s not a lot. If it costs millions to enforce then the net gain isn’t there. A bylaw isn’t supposed to be a revenue generator,” said Fox.
Since 2007, 400 permits have been issued for legalized suites. There are an estimated 8,000 in the Township, said Councillor Mel Kositsky.
“We should be encouraging developers to build legal suites instead. The Township has always asked for compliance. We are not ready for heavy hand and plus, suites are a form of affordable housing,” he said.
v2
