By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 27, 2008
There are limits to the City of Vernon’s generosity. Council decided Monday not to give financial breaks to non-profit housing projects constructed on land the city has provided.“We have to draw a line in the sand somewhere,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell. The Vernon Community Land Trust asked the city to waive $1,700 in fees associated with rezoning 4005 Pleasant Valley Rd. It also wanted grants to offset the cost of designing, constructing, inspecting and certifying the off-site works, building permit fees and city utility connection fees. Council recently agreed to provide the city-owned property to the trust, which will then turn over the one-acre property to the Vernon Transition House Society for construction of six duplexes for families and senior women. The decision to turn down the request for financial assistance was unanimous Monday. “We are assisting in a big way with the development cost charges and the land. Let’s tell them to stop coming and begging for more,” said Beardsell. That was also the view of Coun. Pat Cochrane. “When we are providing the land, we need to collect the appropriate fees.” In a letter to council, the Vernon Community Land Trust defended the need for the city to waive various fees. “Transition House has a business plan in place and will raise funds for capital costs through provincial ministries and grants,” said Randy Kolibaba, chairman of the land trust. “Applications for capital grants have a much better chance of success if they include community partners and in-kind contributions.” On a related note, some officials are concerned that the Greater Vernon Services Committee has turned down assistance for an affordable housing project on city land. The Vernon Native Housing Society had asked for a break on parks and water-related development cost charges for a housing initiative on 19th Avenue. Coun. Juliette Cunningham believes it’s not right that Vernon taxpayers bear the brunt of supporting affordable housing. “Greater Vernon needs to step up to the plate,” she said.
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City has done its part Feb 27 Morning Star Editorial
Social advocates may not be very happy with the City of Vernon, but council’s actions Monday were reflective of the fiscal responsibility they ultimately have to taxpayers. Obviously there is a need for the community to support the development of affordable housing, and one can’t blame social agencies for trying to get the city on board. However, the reality is that the city has shown considerable leadership when it comes to the entire issue. It has now provided property for two different projects, and it has looked at changes to development cost charges as a way of making such developments more financially viable. An extensive study of the attainable housing problem in Vernon and what efforts should be taken to alleviate it was also spearheaded by the city. With all of that in mind, council was justified Monday in turning down a request from the Vernon Community Land Trust that $1,700 in fees associated with rezoning land on Pleasant Valley Road be waived. The trust also wanted grants to offset fees for building permits and utility connections, as well as inspecting and certifying the off-site works. Yes the organizations pursuing these affordable housing units are non-profits and financial resources are limited, but they have to be willing to step up to the plate themselves or find other funding sources. Not all of the onus can be placed on the city, and ultimately taxpayers who foot the bill.Perhaps Coun. Barry Beardsell’s comments are extreme when he refers to “begging” by the non-profits. But it is time for those groups to accept the fact that the city has gone above and beyond and not to keep coming back looking for more.
1 comment:
Is it the job of City of Vernon to be making donations on behalf of its taxpayers? Do they receive a charitable donation receipt that they can claim on their income tax returns?
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