Record building numbers

As for single-family dwellings, 93 permits were issued in 2020 worth $48 million, 86 last year worth $45 million and 85 this year worth $48 million. But the total value of those permits this year was a quarter of a billion dollars.

“It is a record,” says Wasnik. “However, if you notice also in the stats, the building permit numbers themselves have remained consistent. 2020 was a record-breaking year for permit issuance. But with the increase of labour and materials, that has created increases in the construction values that you see on the report.”

Development permits are a favourite of Councillor Garth Frizzell, who fully acknowledges that values can be interpreted in many ways.

“With seven percent inflation and we’re seeing that on household goods. That’s even higher when you’re looking into construction costs,” says Frizzell. ” So, yes, lumber, labour costs, steel, all of those things have gone up much more dramatically. So, yes, yes, the values are higher and that has been taken out of control or has been exacerbated by inflation.”

However, some new legislation introduced recently brings with it some concerns, as municipalities are expected to meet targets. But Frizzell says a municipality can’t compel a developer to do anything.

“You can’t. You can’t. We are a free country and you can’t compel builders to do it. So if we aren’t meeting targets, what does that mean? If it does the act imply that we’re going to be building houses with municipal funds? Not going to happen. We don’t we’re not funded to do that. So how this rolls out will be interesting.”

However, Wasnik says the City is on par to keep the brisk development pace into the new year.

“I would forecast that this would remain consistent for 2023 as well. We also would look to our not only rezoning applications but our subdivision applications in the what’s in the queue for future lots being created. And that’s holding strong as well.”

by Cheryl Jahn

Record building numbers

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