Word travels fast in South Georgian Bay, and following the news that the Town of the Blue Mountains recently waived most of a parkland dedication fee for a landowner to sever one lot, a Collingwood landowner is hoping for similar relief from the Town of Collingwood.
On the consent agenda for their May 6 meeting, councillors received a letter from Collingwood landowner Heather Kemp, pleading with the town for some help with the $12,500 bill she was expected to pay as cash in lieu of parkland to sever her lot and build on her property.
“Last year, my partner and I embarked on an exciting journey when we purchased our forever property in Collingwood,” wrote Kemp in her letter to councillors. “Our vision was to transform it into a cozy cottage and contribute to the community's effort in tackling the housing crisis by densifying the area.”
Kemp writes in her letter that according to her specific circumstance, she and her husband were planning to tear down the existing home on the property, and build a new home. They also plan to sever the property into two lots.
She said she was disappointed to learn about the parkland dedication requirement, especially as she had just read that the Town of the Blue Mountains had voted through their council to significantly reduce the parkland dedication fee for a Thornbury resident in a similar situation. In that situation, their council voted to reduce the parkland dedication fee from $50,000 to $650.
“It was disheartening, especially considering recent news coverage about a parkland discount in the TBM,” she wrote.
She writes that in addition to parkland fees, she has concerns about the development fees that will be placed on the severed lot, considering the infrastructure is already in place and new servicing has already been paid for by the couple.
“We believe our situation warrants a reconsideration of the severance costs, especially given the recent TBM news and our commitment to affordable housing and densification, which will ultimately not only benefit Collingwood's residents but the town’s property taxes too,” she wrote.
She asks that any parkland fees the couple pays be allocated to a park at the end of their street.
“We're eager to work together to find a solution that benefits everyone involved,” she wrote.
According to a town statement forwarded by the town's communications manager Christa Carter, the town notes that parkland dedication is governed by the planning act, and is explained in the town’s parkland dedication bylaw, which has been in effect in Collingwood since 2004. Through that bylaw, parkland dedication or cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication is required for all development and redevelopment, including during the creation of new lots.
In 2023, the Town of Collingwood collected $701,015 in cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication funds, which are then used by the town to deliver parks, such as the Wilson-Sheffield Park and Summitview Park, which is currently in the development process.
“The required payment of five per cent cash-in-lieu of parkland is a standard condition for all consent applications,” reads the statement. “Cash-in-lieu of parkland is based on the value of the land as determined by a certified appraiser.”
The town confirmed that the committee of adjustment granted Kemp’s application to create one new residential lot on her property in April 2023, and that five per cent of the land’s value as appraised by an accredited appraiser was completed and does come out to $12,500.
In reference to the situation in the Town of the Blue Mountains, the town statement said it was a special circumstance as that town’s parkland fees significantly increased after that landowner’s application had been submitted, whereas Collingwood’s rules haven’t changed since 2004.
According to Collingwood’s current bylaws, council can only waive in whole or in part the requirements for cash-in-lieu of parkland with a resolution and a vote.
During their May 6 meeting, no councillor pulled the letter for discussion or consideration, instead voting in favour of receiving the letter for information.
The town statement said that if asked for input, staff would strongly caution against case-by-case reductions or waivers, unless there is a clear special circumstance, and reiterated that Collingwood’s rules have been in place since at least 2004.
However, the statement also said that the town is currently undertaking a review of the parkland dedication bylaw as part of the development charges background study, which is expected to come before council for approval in June.
“Any changes to the cash-in-lieu of parkland should be addressed comprehensively through that process, considering the impact on overall funding for parks and how that may benefit or impact Collingwood as a healthy, livable, and sustainable community,” said the statement.
Kemp did not return a request for additional comment from CollingwoodToday before publication time.
