Proposed provincial Bill 17 could be costly to municipalities

Proposed provincial regulation changes affecting municipal development charges, zoning, and local building codes could cost Belleville a significant amount of money.

At Monday’s regular meeting, city council will see a staff analysis of Bill 17, Protect Ontario By Building Smarter and Faster Act.

For example, if approved, the act would exempt long-term care homes from development charges. That change would cost Belleville almost $2.4 million in development charge revenue coming from just two retirement residences now under development.

Council meets at 4 o’clock Monday afternoon.