WINNIPEG — After a vote to implement growth fees was indefinitely delayed, city councillors now say a January 1, 2017 implementation date won’t happen.
RELATED: Decision on Winnipeg growth fees delayed
“To have a laid out plan and all the details done by January 1 is absurd,” said John Orlikow, Planning and Property committee chairperson and city councillor.
“It would be difficult, impossible at this point.”
The controversial plan would introduce additional fees on any new development within city limits, except for government buildings, Manitoba Housing, new schools, garages and decks.
A city report recommends the implementation of the fees on January 1, 2017. Councillors were supposed to start the voting process on the report this week but instead decided to delay a vote indefinitely.
RELATED: Growth fees ‘shortsighted’: Manitoba Premier Pallister urges Winnipeg to find savings
“People have raised concerns about January 1,” said Orlikow. We have to be clear a date is not in stone, that report is not in stone.”
Councillors met on Friday afternoon to discuss the report behind closed doors.
“It is nice to see there is more open conversations and more conversations going forward and outreach to the industry to hear more of their concerns,” said Janice Lukes, councillor for St. Norbert. “We have created market uncertainty.”
RELATED: Growth fees could cause resale home prices to soar: analyst
The report suggests the city adopt recommendations made by a consulting group of fees of about $10/ sq ft. on any new home, $15/ sq ft on commercial and retail space and $22/ sq ft on office space.
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