City council supports Downtown Prince George bylaw request

Downtown Prince George is seeking a seven-year renewal of the city bylaw which allows it to collect a special tax levy on downtown businesses.

Downtown Prince George president Eoin Foley and vice-president Kirk Gable presented the group’s request to city council.

“We exist under the auspices of a bylaw. The non-profit society we operate asks council permission to tax ourselves,” Gable said. “Currently we’ve heard no negative discussion (from members) of what we’re proposing.”

Downtown Prince George has operated, beautifying and promoting downtown since 1999. The organization’s current bylaw expires on March 31, 2018.

The proposed bylaw would come into effect on April 1 and run to 2025. The special levy would be calculated to generate $300,000 in 2018, with annual three per cent increases thereafter.

The levy would apply only to commercial properties zoned C1: Downtown, and according to Downtown Prince George, the average cost per property would be $1,100 – to a maximum of $12,500 per year.

“I think you stretch those dollars to the max,” Coun. Terri McConnachie said. “Part of that success is the partnerships. You guys have really got the sweet spot on that.”

City council voted to support the bylaw extension going forward. The final bylaw will be presented to council in January and, if approved, will be sent to the affected property owners. If less than 50 per cent of affected property owners oppose the proposed bylaw, then city staff will recommend council give the bylaw final approval.

The final bylaw will be presented to council in January and, if approved, will be sent to the affected property owners.