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Kincardine increases building permit fee for wind turbines By Liz Dadson |
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Kincardine council has increased the building permit fee for wind turbines. Chief building official Michele Barr told council in committee-of-the-whole Feb. 16 that she had surveyed various municipalities and recommended setting the fee at $20 per $1,000 estimated cost of construction. In her report, she noted that Central Huron charges $6/$1,000; Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, $6/$1,000; Meaford, $8.60/$1,000; North Huron, $9/$1,000; Chatham Kent, $13/$1,000; Huron-Kinloss, $15/$1,000; Brockton, Saugeen Shores and Arran-Elderslie, $15/$1,000 but that is set to increase to $20/$1,000 if approved; Chatsworth, $40/$1,000; and Melanthon (Shelburne), $5,000 flat rate. "We talked about $40-$50/$1,000, with justification," said councillor Mike Leggett. "There's no justification for any other municipality's fees." "I'm not sure of the number of turbines in areas that have higher fees," said councillor Maureen Couture. "There are none in Chatsworth. The reality is that projects are coming here. We have policies in place and now we need to have a policy for fees." "If we charged $100/$1,000, we're not going to deter these projects," said councillor Randy Roppel. "These companies have lots of money. It's time for them to pay up. They went to the province to set the assessment for the turbines." "That's the pervue of the province, to set the assessment value," said Couture. "Is the building permit fee based on the entire structure?" asked mayor Larry Kraemer.
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"The
building permit fee covers the cost of the foundation and the unit that
goes up," said Barr. "It does not cover the hub, cell and blades." She said with previous projects, the turbines were valued at between $400,000 and $600,000. So, at $20/$1,000, the permit fee would be $12,000 for one turbine. The original permit fee was $8/$1,000. "Can the province appeal the fees or the companies take us to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board)?" asked deputy mayor Anne Eadie. "I don't think the province can appeal the fees," said Couture. "But there's nothing stopping the company from taking us to court over fees." Barr said that if council keeps the fee at $20/$1,000, even if it is challenged, it can be justified and defended by the municipality. Council approved the fee increase. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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