At Whitby's Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, May 10, 2021, council members considered report FS 28-21 (Development Charge By-law Final Recommendations).

The Durham Region Homebuilders' Association is working with a stakeholder group, and wrote a letter requesting a delay to give our consultants more time to review the updated information recently provided by Town staff.  This request was echoed by Matthew Cory who delegated on behalf of the Brooklin Landowners Group.

Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy initially recommended that the report be referred to next week's council meeting.

Mayor Don Mitchell stated, "I am disappointed to hear this request.  This always happens, every time.  Doesn't matter what process we go through, the request for delay from the industry, we have already reduced the amount, we all know what's happening out there in the market, the prices are absolutely sky high and all of the residents who are buying those homes, they are going to expect top quality servicing and this is the money we deliver that with.  So I won't support any delay or the referral.  To get this in place we are going to need every dollar to properly service our new residents."

After Mayor Mitchell spoke, Councillor Mulcahy withdrew her motion to refer it to the council meeting.

The staff report passed unanimously.

DRHBA's working group has been corresponding with Town staff and have thus far been able to reduce the proposed increase by $7,551.  The proposed rate going to council next week is $35,815 per single detached, which represents a 47% increase over their current rate of $24,418.

DRHBA also requested that council and staff consider a phase-in of the new fees to allow builders to adjust their pricing accordingly, but that request was denied.