Early Payment Agreement signed

By Miriam King Bradford Times

“What we’re looking at here, folks, is nothing less than the Town’s future… It’s a big, big day.”

With those words, Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Doug White introduced the final version of the Early Payment Agreement #3 for ratification by Council, on March 4 – an agreement through whichresidential developers agree to up-front $190 million in infrastructure costs.

“We’ve certainly come a long way with this Early Payment Agreement,” Mayor White said, noting that it took almost 3 years to negotiate. “This opens up a significant opportunity for us.”

The Developers have agreed to upfront the cost of roads, water and wastewater infrastructure not only for planned residential development, but the non-residential (industrial/Commercial) share, allowing the Town to bring servicing to the employment lands along Hwy. 400 – and the benefit-to-existing residents, or taxpayers’ share.

The developers will also upfront an additional $11.7 million, to cover the Town of Innisfil’s portion of the cost of expanding the Innisfil Lakeshore Water Treatment plant – which, under a municipal water-sharing agreement, the Town of BWG would otherwise have to pay.

In return, the Town commits to paying back the $11.7 million by 2018, the $54 million in non-residential levies by the end of 2025 – and to ensuring that the signatories have first rights to servicing, with the exception of 200 units held for special or infilling projects.

Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer was opposed.

“I have some concerns,” he said. “There is $54 million that will have to be paid back in 12 years time. To me that is quite a challenge.”

Keffer pointed out that the Town would have to develop nearly 400,000 sq. ft. of new Industrial per year, to cover the costs, but “there aren’t the large-scale manufacturing plants being built.”

He also objected to the signatories to the Early Payment Agreement being given “special consideration” for the allocation of servicing, in return for their money. “I represent all the taxpayers.. That’s why I can’t support this Early Payment Agreement.”

Councillor Gary Lamb was also opposed, warning that “it’s very difficult to meet some of those goals,” and arguing that phasing-in of the infrastructure could have allowed the development of some projects along the 400 without ending up with a “30 year mortgage on a 12-year debt.”

But other Council members supported the agreement. Councillor James Leduc spoke in favour of the EPA, and the development of the Hwy. 400 employment lands. “I think we need to bring these jobs to Bradford,” Leduc said. “We’re in a good position right now – we got the agreement we asked for. I think we can get some great opportunities out there.”

“In the history of every municipality there’s a time when it’s your time,” added Mayor White, suggesting that Bradford West Gwillimbury is where Mississauga was in the 1950s, and Brampton in the 1970s.

“Bradford has the best remaining location in the GTA,” he said, pointing out that even though the economy changes, and jobs are lost in certain sectors, “each year there are more jobs in the GTA than the year before.”

White called the Early Payment Agreement “the fiscally conservative thing to do” – and the best way to shift the tax burden from the residential taxpayer. “We leveraged our location… to get these people to pony up an enormous amount of money.”

Without moving forward with the Hwy. 400 lands, he warned, the Town will grow to a municipality of 50,000 commuters. “The jobs would be going somewhere else… That would infuriate me.”

Deputy Mayor Keffer continued to argue against, pointing to “over 100,000 hectares in the ‘white belt’… available to be developed” – lands south of the Greenbelt, in Durham and Halton, that are still vacant.

And, Keffer said, the Hwy. 400 lands “are not idle lands. They are agricultural lands. They serve an important purpose, providing food… I take exception when people say we are missing out on an opportunity.”

Councillor Carl Hordyk called for a recorded vote. Voting in favour of EPA #3 were Councillors Carl Hordyk, Ron Simpson, James Leduc, Peter Dykie Jr., and Mayor Doug White. Voting against were Councillor Lamb and Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer. Councillors Del Crake and Raj Sandhu were absent.

“We’re fortunate to have people who are willing to invest in this Town,” said Councillor Dykie. “We have to have a balanced portfolio… At the end of the day, we can’t afford to keep passing on to Residential. We need Commercial/Industrial – that’s the only way.”

“We need to ensure our tax base is balanced as best as we can,” said Councillor Leduc. “I think, in the end, the benefits are greater than the risks.”

“The Town’s evolving,” said Mayor White. “It’s a different place because of the the vision of the people who came before.”