What is the value of development?
Burnaby News Leader
By Wanda Chow
May 7, 2010

In 2009, the City of Burnaby issued building permits for construction valued at $421 million. That same year, permits for $97.2 million worth of construction were issued in neighbouring New Westminster….

“Each development permit represents a development that meets the overall vision in the city as articulated in the OCP and adopted plans,” said Burnaby planning director Basil Luksun.

So each project is a piece of the puzzle in that plan, where just about everything—different types of housing, commercial, industrial, schools, hospitals, employment—has its form and place….

For instance, not only are developers required to provide infrastructure and services to their Burnaby development sites, those building residential projects must pay development cost charges (DCCs) towards the costs of purchasing future parkland….

In addition, the density bonus program has added numerous amenities to the city’s property holdings at no cost to city hall—the .. Community Resource Centre; nine units of affordable housing (valued at $2 million) from the project at 4336 Lougheed Highway; $875,000 worth of renovations to the 1914 building, Alan Emmott Centre, that now provides non-profit office space and a community hall; $240,000 in upgrades to B.C. Parkway in the Metrotown area; a $600,000 skateboard facility…; $969,000 for development of Taylor Park; and child care centres….

Over in New Westminster, director of development services Lisa Spitale shares Luksun’s view of development—it’s not just about the money.

“You don’t think of growth as about the money, you do it because it’s where the community wants to go.”…

But a proposed new density bonusing program, similar to Burnaby’s, could garner far more for the benefit of New Westminster residents.

If the program is approved by city council, New Westminster estimates it could receive about $60 million in density bonusing contributions over the next 20 years.

Of revenues generated, 30 per cent will be put towards affordable housing, 10 per cent towards child care and 60 per cent towards general amenities, such as civic facilities, park space and public art….