Industry leaders are asking Windsor's city council to rethink an increase to building permit fees.
Tony Rosati says the city's 2020 Draft Budget is calling for fee increases for commercial, industrial and residential projects that will slow development.
"We're very concerned with how they're going about the proposed increases, especially in the industrial sector. The industrial permit rate will jump by more than $1.40 per sq.ft.; which is very concerning for the industry," according to the Co-owner of Rosati Group and President of the Windsor Construction Association.
Industrial development fees will jump from $1.05 per sq.ft. to $2.45 per sq.ft., the closest comparable city in terms of size is London where fees are 79 cents per sq.ft.
He says the association understands the need to raise fees to cover costs, but it's too much too fast.
"Maybe have a cap put to a maximum amount and maybe a phased approach? Things that we can do to help ease in to any type of increase," added Rosati, who goes on to say the association has already met with the city in the hopes of finding some middle ground.
Rosati says slowed development will have an impact on more than the construction industry.
"The more buildings that are built, houses, increases the tax base. We're on a great roll in this city and we want to continue to keep that going," he says.
Windsor's residential permits are poised to jump from $1.15 per sq.ft. to $1.50 per sq.ft. and an additional $1 per sq.ft. for basements.
"They're not in line with any other municipality, whether it's in Windsor-Essex or other parts of southern Ontario ... it's very competitive out there when trying to bring a development to the region and we just feel that it's uncalled for and it's going to deter development," says Coco Paving's David Colle.
He says additional costs will fall on those purchasing the finished home.
"We're basically going to have to raise the price and pass those costs on to consumers and they're going to be looking at where else is going to be more affordable to build a home," Colle says.
The Windsor Construction Association will go before council to ask the city to spread the increase over a longer time frame Monday.
Deliberations on Windsor's 2020 Budget get underway at city hall at 10am.
— with files from AM800's Rob Hindi