At a Committee of the Whole meeting today, the District of Squamish council will discuss a sharp hike to Development Cost Charge (DCC) rates proposed by the staff. The staff aims to gather council feedback and secure endorsement for stakeholder consultation for this steep rate hike.
The proposed DCC rates represent a significant shift, with some charges more than doubling. For example, rates for commercial development could rise by 182%, while rates for low-density residential developments may increase by 102%. Below are the proposed changes for various land use types in the District of Squamish.
- Single Detached – Low Density:
- Existing: $21,616 per lot
- Proposed: $43,729 per lot
- Increase: 102%
- Single Detached – Small Lot:
- Existing: $16,603 per lot
- Proposed: $34,710 per lot
- Increase: 109%
- Medium Density – Townhouse/Multiplex:
- Existing: $10,747 per unit
- Proposed: $22,305 per unit
- Increase: 108%
- Medium Density – Apartment:
- Existing: $7,677 per unit
- Proposed: $15,995 per unit
- Increase: 108%
- Commercial (per sq. m of Gross Floor Area):
- Existing: $117.64
- Proposed: $332.23
- Increase: 182%
- Institutional (per sq. m of Gross Floor Area):
- Existing: $99.89
- Proposed: $278.71
- Increase: 179%
- Industrial (per sq. m of Gross Floor Area):
- Existing: $78.88
- Proposed: $183.89
- Increase: 133%
These sharp hikes are primarily driven by the expanded scope of infrastructure projects in the draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and capital project listings.
The District attributes much of the increase to a broader and more ambitious approach to transportation infrastructure. The draft TMP includes numerous road and active transportation projects designed to accommodate growth through 2041, reflecting updated recommendations from the previous transportation plan completed in 2011. Cost-sharing agreements with the Province for highway facilities have also added to the financial requirements. However, these numbers are not final. A scaled-down plan, an option by DOS staff, could adjust DCC calculations and reduce the proposed rate increases.
The DCC Bylaw serves as a critical mechanism to ensure new developments contribute their fair share toward infrastructure growth, covering essential services like water, sewer, transportation, and parks. Without these contributions, existing taxpayers would bear the burden of these costs.
Douglas R Day says
This is pure insanity
The Province should step in and outlaw such outrageous increases which will not be paid by Developers but simply passed onto new homeowners driving what may be the last nail in the coffin of home ownership in Squamish.
I posted several years ago that Squamish should be placed under Trusteeship
I repeat that post here
But then what can one expect in a municipality where one hapless Council Member voted NO to a store selling groceries to help bring food costs down because an energy company is building an unrelated natural gas pipeline in Squamish
Jay smith says
Doug, you know exactly who is running this town and its not our mayor or council. Nothing changes unless it comes from them
Really? says
Would someone mind explaining why, when the Federal & Provincial governments are pushing for more homes to be built for affordability, this District decides to jack up costs? Is it because this District has bent over backwards and given developers break after break after break in order to over develop with nary a thought to the infrastructure so now they have to play catch-up at the expense of new builds?
Perhaps the District would consider using the $300,000 they were going to spend on an art installation for infrastructure improvements?????????????????????????????????
Jay Smith says
The district is bending backwards for developers?? Have you paid any attention to what has happened since the past decade? Our town is being run for elitist enviromental zealots who only care about climate change and stopping woodfibre and fortis bc. Our town has missed out on so much money from woodfibre and fortis bc because they refuse to workout a deal. We could have a brand new rec centre or second access to downtown and investments in infrastrucutre by striking deals with billion dollar project but No. thr myseatosky voting block continues to elect mayor and councils to push their agenda.
Jackson Gostein says
The rich privileged white people in charge of this town need to stop the greenwashing and virtue signalling and start dealing with the actual issues that humans in this town are facing. The cost of living is crushing for most of us- but there is a steady flow of rich tech people moving into town, I guess us working class folk who live just above the poverty line to keep this town running don’t matter.
Jay smith says
Finally someone understands! You said the truth. To bad they out number us working class people. Our town continues to keep voting in green councillors that dont do anything for this town