Planning Department Presented 2024 Annual Report to City Council Tuesday Night

Brockville – The City’s Planning Department presented their 2024 annual report to city council at last Tuesday night’s council meeting.

In a recent staff report, Brockville’s housing and non-residential development market was reviewed as part of the Planning Department’s Annual Report, showing strong growth in 2024. The city benefits from its strategic location near major cities like Ottawa, Montreal, and the Greater Toronto Area, as well as its easy access to key highways. These factors, along with various amenities, make Brockville an attractive place for new developments.

According to the report, the Planning Department processed 113 applications related to land-use and development, including official plan amendments, zoning by-law changes, and site plan control agreements in the past year. The department works closely with the Building Department, which also issued 299 building permits but received 344 applications, demonstrating the city’s ongoing growth as both a residential and commercial hub.

For residential development, 2,476 units are currently approved, under review, or under construction. Among these, 1,811 units are still in the early stages or awaiting construction, with many located in three major developments. Since 2020, 2,046 residential units have been approved, including single detached homes, townhouses, and apartments. The biggest developments are taking place or proposed to take place at the former Phillips Cables Property and the Brockville Shopping Centre.

While 665 units are under construction or ready for permits, delays are common because developers control the construction timeline. Factors such as market conditions and financing can cause these delays. New rules now allow for “sunset clauses” in subdivisions, ensuring developments happen within a set timeframe. The report also mentions that external factors can complicate development, and flexibility is needed in the approval process.

Finally, the feedback gathered from these applications helped to form the city’s 10-year Official Plan update, which was approved in August 2024. This plan reflects the community’s needs and development trends.

In relation to housing development, the city is also currently in the process of reviewing and considering updates to the Development Charges By-law and Building Permit Fees.

Development Charges are fees charged by municipalities on new residential and non-residential projects to help finance the capital costs of infrastructure needed to support growth, such as roads, water, sewer, and transit systems. To determine the appropriate amount to charge, a Development Charges Background Study is required. A Public Meeting was held on this topic on April 1, and a staff recommendation will come forward for consideration at the May or June Public Planning Meeting.

Building Permit Fees are designed to cover the costs incurred by municipalities when processing building permit applications, including reviewing plans, conducting inspections throughout the construction process, and managing the overall permitting process. There are a number of factors that influence the amount charged, such as the construction value and the type and size of the building. A public meeting was required in advance of the fee increase and was held on April 1st. More information is expected to be provided to the Planning and Development Committee later this spring.