Something stinks with exemptions

Dear editor: Thanks to investigative reporting in our local newspapers, we have some disclosure of the insider favouritism now infecting our Kelowna city hall. Home owners and small contractors with modest projects face long waits and oodles of bureaucratic red tape and charges, while the larger developers dictate their own terms.

Height restrictions, density requirements, parking restrictions, community plans, etc. all seem subject to ready variation in the face of well-reasoned community objections. The old civic motto of “controlled- development— good”, seems to have been altered to “uncontrolled-development — better.”

Make no mistake, I am a citizen very much in favour of sustainable and appropriate development in our community; this includes the importance of the profit motive. However, I am a taxpayer who does not appreciate special exemptions and unfair favouritism of select developments at taxpayers’ expense.

Recent disclosure shows that there are several rental building developments that, in addition to other benefits, have obtained a special 10-year exemption of taxes. This profit to developers comes at a cost to other taxpayers of about $1 million to date.

But city hall does not think this is enough. A new report being considered by council apparently recommends an increase in the number and term of the exemption to 25 years. Strangely, the total costs are unprojected by staff, but certainly amount to a gift of several millions of dollars; all out of our tax coffers.

And what do we get for this wonderful encouragement of select developments?

See The Daily Courier front page March 9: “Although the builders get a significant tax break, there is no requirement that the new units when completed be offered for rent at anything other than going market rates. City officials simply expect that the builders’ savings on municipal taxes will be passed on to the renters.”

Does this pass the smell test, or am I the only one concerned that something is rotten in our Denmark? And do we really have to wait to the next election for a remedy? Just asking.

Ian Royce Sisett Kelowna