POLICY MANUAL - Community Amenity Contributions Policy (DRAFT)
The draft text of the proposed Community Amenity Contributions Policy, outlining the Town's discretion and priorities for negotiating amenities.
POLICY MANUAL
| POLICY TITLE: Community Amenity Contributions Policy | POLICY #: DRAFT |
| AUTHORITY: Council | EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD |
| ISSUED BY: Director of Development Services | REVIEW SCHEDULE: Four years |
| APPROVED BY: Council | |
| DATE ISSUED: DRAFT April 9, 2019 | DATE APPROVED: Date approved by Council and motion number |
PURPOSE:
To provide guidance and to establish targets for Community Amenity Contributions in association with rezoning applications for changes to residential land use and/or density. New development should provide a fair contribution to help address the needs of a changing community and some of the impacts of growth.
DEFINITIONS:
“Community Amenity” means any public benefit, improvement, or contribution that can enhance the quality of life for a community, and includes, but is not limited to: aesthetic features; public spaces; land or an interest in land; affordable and special needs housing; facilities that meet a range of social, cultural, environmental, and recreational needs of the community, and heritage designation. Development requirements are not Community Amenities.
“Cash Amenity” means money provided as a Community Amenity Contribution.
“Community Amenity Contribution” or “CAC” means the provision of a Community Amenity by a development proponent as voluntarily agreed to with the Town.
“Development Requirement” means anything that is required by any of the following: a. Provincial legislation; b. Bylaws, regulations and policies of the Town and the Capital Regional District; and c. The Town’s servicing requirements
“Tangible Amenity” means the provision of a capital asset or service as a Community Amenity.
POLICY:
1.1. Discretion
The Town will consider proposed Community Amenity Contributions on a case by case basis. Nothing in this policy is intended to impair or fetter the discretion of Council with respect to the adoption of any bylaw.
1.2. Community Amenities
Community Amenities may include those identified in the Official Community Plan, Parks Master Plan and other Town documents, or those determined in consultation between the development proponent and the Town.
1.3. Basis on Additional Density
Community Amenity Contribution target amounts will be based on the increased density from the existing zone or existing development of the subject lands, whichever is greater.
1.4. Priorities
The following community amenities will be prioritized over cash amenities or more general community amenities that benefit the larger community: 1.4.1. Tangible amenities Contributions that benefit the immediate neighbourhood or directly address local development impacts. 1.4.2. Tangible amenities that can be implemented in the short term rather than the long term.
1.5. Consideration of Tangible Amenities
Tangible amenities should be of clear value to the Town.
1.6. Valuation of Tangible Amenities
The financial value of Tangible Amenities will be determined by staff.
1.7. Non/Below Market or Special Needs Housing
Community Amenity Contributions are not expected for residential units that would be in perpetuity non-market, below-market or for special needs.
1.8. Long Term Ongoing Costs
Factors in considering the acceptability of a Tangible Amenity will include the long-term costs to operate, maintain, repair and replace the amenity.
1.9. Housing Affordability and Supply
The potential impact on housing affordability and supply will be considered in regard to Community Amenity Contributions.