Motion requests review of Norwich development charges

Luke Edwards, Post Contributor

Citing concerns with the existing bylaw and how it was developed, Norwich Coun. Adrian Couwenberg has requested staff review its development charges.

Couwenberg received support for his motion at the April 14 meeting, where councillors agreed to waive the procedural bylaw and have the motion introduced and voted on at the same meeting. Typically, such moves would require a notice of motion given in advance.

“It’s nice for us to review our charges and see if they’re appropriate and adequate,” he said, adding the current political climate with the United States and tariffs means municipalities like Norwich need to find every edge they can to attract and keep businesses here.

Couwenberg said some of the charges in Norwich put it at a disadvantage compared to neighbouring and comparable municipalities. He also said some of the assumptions made in the development charge background study two years ago turned out not to be entirely accurate.

“I’m concerned with how the DC bylaw was presented and how the bylaw was passed,” he said.

And with several changes in provincial legislation in recent years, the councillors agreed a review is in order.

Councillors supported his motion, with Coun. Karl Toews saying that Norwich’s DC policy may be doing more harm than good.

“It seems to me we are really hampering industrial development here in the Township of Norwich,” he said.