Jay Allen of Shields Storage Centres Inc. outlined concerns relating to the impact of the proposed Development Charge By-law and the Background Study on the self storage industry as detailed in his written submission, noting that they are based on layers of assumption and unattained growth plan projections. He expressed the need to support and sustain growth and requested that Council reconsider the inclusion of Self Storage in the definition of Commercial regardless of zoning/permitted use.
Kurtis Osborne of Lindsay, on behalf of the Wilson Group, shared a developer/construction perspective highlighting two primary concerns; supply of both affordable and general housing and densification. He expressed concern that the costs associated with local development are pushing the limits of the housing market and what people are willing to pay for units, noting that building affordable homes is in the best interest of the municipality to achieve Growth Plan projections. Mr. Osborne noted that densification in downtown areas, where there is significant existing infrastructure, is very important to growth. He expressed concern that if the cost of development is raised, industry activity may no longer be viable and noted that the application of development charge deferrals is vital.
Don Wilson of Lindsay, expressed concerns regarding the financial impact of development charges on condominium development, noting that it can make development challenging and potentially limit growth. He requested that consideration be given to supporting developers working to achieve densification in growth and facing multiple levies, through the evolution of a project. He noted that special consideration should be given to projects such as the current development in the Lindsay downtown core for development charge deferral or exemption.