Elizabethtown-Kitley suspends development charges

(Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

ADDISON – Development charges to build in Elizabethtown-Kitley have been put on hold for two years.

The move by Coun. Tom Linton and endorsed by council on Monday (March 11) is meant to see whether it will spur more development in the neighbouring township to the City of Brockville.

Elizabethtown-Kitley faces competition from five other Leeds-Grenville townships, like Augusta and Front of Yonge, which have no fees.

The development charges amount to about $2,400 for developers to build a single family home.

Linton argues that the amount of money brought in by development fees could easily be covered through additional taxes from more buildings.

A minority on council argued that not having the fees will mean the municipality will have to go to the taxpayer for upgrades to municipal assets like libraries, roads and fire halls.