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{Aiilini iADIO Immunme Fauna-3mm MW sumusir Now when you see this symbol, you'll know the advertised price includes F Stewardship Ontario Environmental Fee. So all you have to do is add deals registration fees of up to $799, fuel fill charge of up to $120 and applicable This Spring, visit your Ontario Ford Dealer and keep your money. Summerhill Carma? Refit. Your Ride ON MOST 2010 FORD VEHICLES. VISIT FORDCOSTCMA reight. Air Tax. and tr r administranon and taxe‘s. then drive away Drive on: Region, builders reach deal BY DAVID FLEISCHER dfleischer®yrmg.com Regional council votes today on a compromise negotiated with the development industry that will phase in substantial increases to development charges. The changes were slated to take effect immediately, but instead will rise only slightly June 25, with more significant changes on Sept. 24 and again Ian. 10, 2011. A proposal was announced in April to increase the taxes paid by developers on each new construc- tion project by as much as 34 per cent. V The region estimates $8.7 billion is required to build infrastructure between now and 2031. Instead of paying $24,000 on a single house, the cost would rise to more than $32,000 A re-calculation of the numbers lead to a slight decrease, so the charge would actually be $31,964 for a house, while industrial-office proj- ects rise to $18.36 per square metre. Another change allows develop- ers almost ready to put shovels in the ground to pre-pay charges at the old rates. Developers, primarily represent- ed by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), contended the charges were rising too much, too fast and expressed concerns about what would hap- pen with units already sold, but for which the charges had not yet been paid. The charges are supposed to ensure taxpayers are not paying for projects needed t9 serve a neyv pop- ulation, but BILD suggested some of the projects also serve existing residents. The compromise was negotiated at a series of meetings over the last two months and will be enshrined in a memorandum of understanding. Development charges can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board but as part of the agreement. BILD pledges not to do so. Delaying the charges means $460 million instead of $560 million com- ing in from developers between now and June 2012. While that seems to put the region in a $100 million hole. a new bylaw is due in 2012 and the costs will be calculated into the revised charges then. Development charge increase to be phased in