Region pitches in for family hit with DC hike

While placing the blame on the City of Welland, Niagara Region councillors voted to roll back regional development charge fees for a family hoping to build a semi-detached home.

Councillors voted to provide $19,272 to home builders Angela Gervais and her brother Robert Mrseski, reimbursing them after the development charges they are being asked to pay more than doubled due to delays obtaining a building permit for a semi-detached building planned for Home Street.

Danny Mrseski, speaking on behalf of his siblings during the hearing, said Welland planning department staff initially told them the property was already appropriately zoned for the semidetached homes they intended to build there, but later determined that wasn’t the case and it would require a zoning amendment.

By the time the amendment was approved, the Region’s new development charges bylaw had kicked in — increasing the fees to $32,022, up from $12,750.

“Had we known that this lot did not comply with zoning provisions for a semi-detached dwelling, we never would have purchased it in the first place,” Mrseski said. “Now we are the ones who have to suffer because of someone else’s mistake. We took all of the right steps and had our budget in place for this project. This setback has not only cost us money but valuable time.”

Mrseski said his brother, sister and their respective families plan to occupy each of the two units in the semi-detached building.

Region staff recommended against honouring the complaint because development charges are calculated when building permits are issued — not when applications are originally submitted. Councillors, however, voted to assist the family, instead.

“I don’t think it’s right. It doesn’t make any sense to me,” said Welland Coun. George Marshall. “Common sense should prevail here, and it doesn’t look like it is.”

Niagara Falls Coun. Selina Volpatti said the error was made by the Welland, and the city should pay the region’s development charge increase on behalf of the residents. “I can’t say I’m surprised that Welland would refer (the family) here. I would too if I were Welland,” she said. “I really do hope you get some satisfaction from the City of Welland. … I can’t see why all of the residents of the Niagara region should be committed to paying for a mistake that was made by one municipality.”

Councillors shot down an amendment by Volpatti, calling for Niagara Region staff to ask the City of Welland to reimburse Niagara for the $19,272.

Allan.Benner@niagaradailies.com