The Town of Whitby is proposing a significant increase to engineering fees as outlined in Report PW 43-21.
As outlined in the report, some fees are increasing by as much as 503%. The Town says that the increases are needed to fund hiring more full time staff to provide reviews of plans, as Whitby is expecting a large increase in demand as west and north Whitby begin development. Staff also note that the fees have not increased since 2014.
The fee increases can be seen in the table below:
|
Fee Title
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
29. Site Alteration Permits Application Fee
|
|
|
|
Small Site Alteration
|
$545.00
|
$2,741.00
|
|
Large Site Alteration
|
$1,090.00
|
$5,482.00
|
|
Subdivision Review Design & Inspection Fees
|
|
|
|
Up to $200,000
|
Greater of 5.2% or $5,125.00
|
7.86%
|
|
$200K -$500K
|
Greater of $10,660 or 4.6%
|
6.95%
|
|
$500K - $1 million
|
Greater of $23,575 or 3.9%
|
5.89%
|
|
$1 million - $2 million
|
Greater of $39,975 or 3.3%
|
4.99%
|
|
$2 million - $3 million
|
Greater of $67,650 or 2.9%
|
4.38%
|
|
$3 million and up
|
Greater of $89,175 or 2.6%
|
3.93%
|
|
Site Plan Engineering Fees
|
Greater of:
|
|
|
Up to $200,000
|
$5,125 or 5.2%
|
12.38%
|
|
$200K - $500K
|
$10,660 or 4.6%
|
10.95%
|
|
$500K - $1 million
|
$23,575 or 3.9%
|
9.28%
|
|
$1 million - $2 million
|
$39,975 or 3.3%
|
7.86%
|
|
$2 million - $3 million
|
$67,650 or 2.9%
|
6.90%
|
|
Over $3 million
|
$89,175 or 2.6%
|
6.19%
|
The Durham Region Home Builders' Association submitted a letter to the Committee of the Whole meeting, held on Monday, December 6, 2021. The letter brought the scope of the increase into focus for councillors, who questioned the need for such a substantial increase.
While the report passed at the Committee of the Whole, staff were directed to meet with representatives of DRHBA ahead of the next council meeting.
It is DRHBA's hope that through discussions with the Town that the fee increases can be reduced, as these types of high fees contribute to the affordability crisis impacting the housing industry.
If you have any comments or concerns, please contact Stacey Hawkins.
