PRINCE GEORGE -A report looking at ways to incentivize developers to come to Prince George was presented to City Council Monday night (March 24).
The Housing Action Plan follows on the heels of a Housing Needs Assessment conducted by the City three years ago.
The Action Plan looks at what kinds of incentives the City could offer to developers, both financial and non-financial.
As was noted during Council, while the report identifies financial incentives such as fee exemptions, it focuses primarily on non-financial incentives such as process efficiencies at City Hall.
It would require the nod from Council to consider financial options.
“We can’t pursue financial incentives or incentives that would have a financial impact without Council’s endorsement,” noted Deanna Wasnik, Director of Planning and Development.
The report comes to Council on a less-than-favourable development report on building permits.
It showed 24 building permits issued in February totalling $15,184,020. That’s compared to 53 permits issued the February last year, valued at $35,508,061.
“It’s a little bit slower than usual,” noted Wasnik, adding there are ebbs and flows when the permits are issued followed by a lull when the work begins.
Ultimately, Council approved Administration moving forward with looking at options for financial incentives for developers.
