Record Breaking Development Variances

In its latest regular meeting, Council set the wheels in motion for several residential housing projects. It has approved a record number of variance applications in a single sitting. A variance application is requested of the City when a developer wants to change the zoning of a particular piece of property from that which allows a  single-family dwelling to zoning that will allow for multi-family dwellings.

“Residential variances, when they come to us, for the most part, are in-fill opportunities,” says Mayor Lyn Hall.  And that’s important, particularly in various parts of the community, where we know we can really focus in because it’s more desirable areas and we’re seeing greater in-fill in those areas. So I think it was a good sign.”

And more housing means one thing to a municipality. More tax revenue for the City’s coffers.

“Building permits are a good, early indication of construction revenue for subsequent years. Right now, our residential tax rate is roughly $8 per thousand and our business rate is roughly $17.50 per thousand,” explains Kris Dalio, Director of Finance. “When you look at those permit breakdowns and you see what’s residential and what’s commercial, you can start to calculate what that might mean for us in future years.”