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01_V1_WAT_Oct26 Attention Sears Vacuum Customers Sears and Kenmore vacuum repairs, service, and parts are available at Duffy's Vacuum Centre 41 River Rd, Kitchener 519-741-9488 SEE OUR AD ON BACK PAGE OF THIS ISSUE ® Chronicle.WATERLOO $1.00 CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA Cooking for a cure to cancer Page 10 CITY LIFE Shopify to add up to 500 more employees in new building at Willis Way Page 14 BUSINESS THURSDAY October 26, 2017 A competitive disadvantage Coun. Durrell concerned that increase to development charges could leave city behind other municipalities By Bob Vrbanac Chronicle Staff W aterloo council has set in motion the final approv-al of its new development charges bylaw for 2018, but there were concerns raised about the increased costs putting the city at a competitive disadvantage when compared to other municipalities. Development charges are paid by developers to fund future growth in the city, and there is significant pressure on Waterloo's capital budget with cemetery expansion and the redevelopment of the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Com- plex being contemplated. Council approved the Development Charges Background study on Monday night with increases of $74 for those build- ing one bedroom or less apartments in the city to $8,432 for those building apartment units with four or more units. The background study was put together by Watson & Associates Ltd. which assured council that the increased charges would pay for projected growth in the city over the next decade. "The calculated rates that we put forward will be what you need for the 10 and 15-year forecast periods of growth to be able to put the infrastructure in place to service that growth," said Nancy Neale, from the consulting firm. "What we've put forward to you is the maximum calculated rate based on all the capital needs identified in working with staff that will con- tinue your current service levels into the future." But Neale also told council that those rates would also be significantly higher that other local municipalities, including Kitchener and Cambridge, although those cities still have to update their current DC charge bylaw. She also cautioned against doing a straight "apples to apples" comparison since other cities put different considerations into their calcula- tions. Continued on page 4 AdAm JAckson photo Laurier leap Laurier Golden hawks running back Levondre Gordon leaps over a fallen teammate during the last game of the season saturday afternoon at University stadium. With a statement win, the Golden hawks secured a first-round bye in the playoffs, which start this weekend. see page 21. YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR ANNUAL YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR ANNUAL YEARS Celebrating 1010 www.furn iturehous e.caMASSIVE FURNITURE SELL-OFFMASSIVE FURNITURE SELL-OFF Hurry In! WIN A ROOM CONTEST Ends Oct. 31, 2017 30 Benjamin Road, Waterloo •519-746-0060 •www.furniturehouse.ca