It may soon cost less for developers to build in the Town of Essex.
Council is considering a move to waive multi-unit residential development fees as a way to encourage growth.
Plans are in the works for a proposed $14-million, six-storey development at the corner of Victor St. and Laird Ave. but only if the fees are waived.
Site of proposed apartment development at the corner of Victor St. and Laird Ave in the Town of Essex (Photo courtesy of the Town of Essex)
Administration had recommended waiving two-thirds of the fees, but council heard from the developer Tuesday night claiming that the plans would be scrapped if 100% of the fees weren't covered.
Mayor Larry Snivley says administration has been tasked with crunching the numbers to come up with a "fair balance" for both developers and taxpayers.
"We've got to look at what the financial impact is going to be. Can we help them out? We probably can help them out in some of the development," says Snivley. "I'm not going to speak for everybody, but it looks like council wants to go in that direction. You're not talking a whole lot of money here. You're not talking about a huge amount of money. So I don't know if that's going to break or make that deal."
Town administration will now put together a report which is expected to come back to council in March.
Snively says more research needs to be done.
"I want to look at the other municipalities, I want to look at surrounding municipalities," he says. "You look at Kingsville, they're busting at the seams. You look at Amherstburg, they're going crazy, Lakeshore is going crazy. What do they do with development fees? You know I want to research before I make a final decision. I want to be fair with our ratepayers here too."
Snively says he'd like to see the process expedited to avoid the town losing the apartment development to another municipality, saying there's a major need for rental properties in Essex.
"There's a big, big need for rentals, pretty well throughout the county, but especially in this area here being so close to the city," he says. "There's a big, big need. People want to get out of the city, move out into the county. We're so close. We're only eight to 10 minutes from the city and that's what makes this development so attractive.
If all goes according to plan, the developer intends to break ground in the spring.