Paying for growth--Council decides to up development levies

Today, City Council agreed that we cannot continue passing a massive debt on to our children and grandchildren. I am very happy that we decided to begin addressing the cost of growth in our city by accepting the newly-negotiated Standard Development Agreement.

I've devoted much time to this issue in the past. The decision today means that new development will pay for one-half of the true cost of growth rather than the previous one-quarter charged for development. It's a big step in the right direction, but I feel we can go further in the future.

Nevertheless, today's decision represents a major shift in thinking on behalf of the City and the development industry. Three years ago, we would have been discussing whether to raise levies at all. Now both the industry and the City clearly realize that we need to raise levies to move toward becoming a financially sustainable city.

While today's decision does not mean the full cost of development is covered by those who want to build on the edges of our city. It begins to level the playing field and allows Calgarians to make housing choices based on the real cost of their choice.

- Mayor Naheed Nenshi