The City of Greater Sudbury is prepared to cover the up-front costs to develop an area of industrial land in the north end of the city, but landowners must agree to a cost-sharing plan in order for the plan to go through.
At its June 26 meeting, council passed a resolution indicating it would provide the capital to upgrade municipal water and wastewater services in the Lasalle-Elisabella industrial area as part of a 2011 plan to increase the number of shovel-ready industrial properties for investment opportunities.
To be approved, however, the plan must be approved by two thirds of benefitting property owners, representing at least 50 per cent of the total project land area. The property owners have said in the past that, due to the higher taxes they pay, they are entitled to enhanced services and the costs for enhancement should be borne by the city.
“Although it's not what the proeprty owners told us they wanted, what was passed tonight is a compromise,” Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk said in a news release. “This project is very important for the growth of our community and I hope the property owners stay at the negotiating table as we move forward.”
Under the proposed cost-sharing agreement, the 40-plus property owners would have to pay $662,761, recoverable in annual instalments. The city will additionally recover roughly $3.4 million plus accrued interest at the building permit stage when development occurs.
“The City of Greater Sudbury is pleased to offer this proposal to Lasalle-Elisabella industrial area property owners,” Bill Lautenbach, general manager of growth and development, said in a news release. “The proposal maintains our policy that development growth should pay for growth, while recognizing the unique circumstances of this industrial area. Our goal is to stimulate local economic development. Our reward will be the future success of participating businesses."
As part of this project, the City of Greater Sudbury proposes to oversize municipal water mains on San Francisco St., Carmelo Ave., Elisabella St., Lapointe St., Foundry St. and on a portion of Lasalle Blvd. to meet current requirements for fire protection and future growth-related development demands in the Lasalle-Elisabella industrial area.
Additional improvements include oversizing and extending a portion of the sanitary sewer main in the area, as well as road reconstruction in the industrial area following excavation to install underground infrastructure.
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