For the first time in 14 years the Town of Sundre has adopted a new planning and development fee schedule.
During last week's council meeting, town councillors voted to approve the new schedule, which sets fees for such things as garages, decks, signage, and appeal board fees.
The new fees are projected to bring in an additional $17,000 to town coffers per year.
ìCurrently the fees charged do not cover the advertising costs, engineering reviews, and administration time,î interim CAO Wanda Watson Neufeld said in a note to council.
ìAn example of this is the land use redesignation fee (zoning) of $250. With the average cost of advertising for two weeks being $340, this does not even cover the costs.î
The new fee schedule was put together following a review of similar fee schedules in 12 other Alberta municipalities, council heard.
ìThe 2001 planning fee schedule is consistent with this estimated average and makes the fee structure consistent across the board,î she said.
The new schedule includes the following fees: development permits - minimum fee of $40; development permits $40 for first $1,000 or portion thereof plus $1.25 per $1,000 thereof; $40 for temporary signs (minimum); $40 for home occupation; $75 for subdivsion and development appeal board fee; garage starting at $15 for single vehicle; $150 for workshop larger than 900 square feet; $40 for decks; $125 for encroachments; $400 for variances/relaxations; $300 subdivision fee; $50 endorsement fee per lot; $75 for subdivision and development appeal board fee; and $250 for change of land use designation.
Under the new schedule, the town can expect to bring in $40,640 a year, up from $23,000 under the old schedule, council heard.
