Task Force members discussed the content of the presentation. Several questions were raised and answered, including the following:
- How does the aging population affect the growth forecast? It is factored into the growth forecast by projecting declining population in existing housing.
- How are seasonal residents factored into the growth forecast? They are included at a rate of 50% to account for their lower demand on municipal services.
- Does the growth forecast account for projected transitions of population from seasonal to permanent status? Yes, regardless of whether the transition is facilitated by net development (e.g. building a house on a vacant lot) or redevelopment (e.g. replacing a cottage with a house).
- How is level of service calculated for the Development Charges Background Study? The Development Charges Act generally requires level of service to be based on total replacement cost of the assets employed in the service. From this, level of service is calculated by the City as total replacement cost divided by the sum of population and employment.
- As the planning horizon of the Growth Management Strategy begins with 2021, will the growth forecast in the Development Charges Background Study be adjusted to begin with 2025? Yes.
- How are growth-related bridges and culverts treated by the City's local service policy? They are designated for the development charge calculation, regardless of location.
- Does the local service policy specify the state in which developers are to leave dedicated parkland to the City? Not currently, as this has not previously been identified as an issue for development in the City. This will be added to the Issue Tracker.
- Does the local service policy address the deepening of sewers, which entails added cost, as a form of oversizing for upstream development? Not currently, as this has not previously been identified as an issue for development in the City. This will be added to the Issue Tracker.
- Does the local service policy address the conversion of municipal drains into storm drains through development and urbanization? Not currently, as this has not previously been identified as an issue for development in the City. This will be added to the Issue Tracker.
A. Found summarized the various topics and activities earmarked for future meetings.
May 5: Reporting on homework assignments; address deferred business.
May 26: Growth-related capital needs and development charges by-law policies (Watson to present)
June 16: Draft findings of Development Charges Background Study (Watson to present)
June 23: Preparation of Task Force recommendations (Watson attendance to be determined)