January 5, 2012

Financing Urban Growth – The Class

Given the interest and controversy over Development Cost Charges (DCCs) and Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) – here’s a plug for a class the SFU City Program is doing on February 2, for those who would like to know what they’re talking about.  Taught by Jay Wollenberg of Coriolis Consulting.

Financing Urban Growth: The Use of Development Cost Charges and Community Amenity Contributions

This course is a comprehensive, detailed, and practical examination of the economic, legal, planning, and political dimensions of development levies, negotiated community contributions, and density bonusing as means of creating community amenities and infrastructure.

Register here.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES below the fold


Financing Urban Growth: The Use of Development Cost Charges and Community Amenity Contributions

  • Understand the BC legal framework for Development Cost Charges (DCCs), Community Amenity Contributions (CACs,) affordable housing, heritage building preservation, and other means of obtaining contributions from urban development for infrastructure or amenities.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of current approaches and practices in BC communities, from the perspectives of local government, developers, land owners, and the community.
  • Consider and discuss the municipal fiscal rationale for contributions from development projects and compare with the use of property taxes to fund infrastructure and amenities.
  • Learn the urban land economics foundation for development contributions and the potential market impacts of DCCs and CACs, including potential impacts on housing prices and affordability
  • Discuss the principles for sound design and effective implementation of CAC and DCC plans
  • Understand the implications for municipalities: pros and cons of using these tools to obtain community amenities and infrastructure.
  • Understand the implications for land owners: effect on land value.
  • Understand the implications for developers: land acquisition costs, impact on profitability, impact on ability to acquire/assemble  land.
  • Understand the implications for provincial legislation: is there a better way to achieve community amenities and infrastructure?
  • Review actual approaches used in communities in BC. Discuss pros and cons of different approaches.

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