Concerns are being raised about the impact a new 10-year development charges bylaw will have on the local greenhouse industry in Chatham-Kent.
At their meeting Monday night, members of the Chatham-Kent Council passed the new bylaw, outlining water and wastewater development charges that will be imposed to recover capital costs for new users.
Among the concerns are how development charges will affect Chatham-Kent's thriving greenhouse users, who will see a substantial increase in development charges for future greenhouse expansion. Greenhouses are estimated to make up the large majority, 80%, of future volumes for water in Chatham-Kent.
Some councilors said it's not fair to have ratepayers pick up the tab to pay for the new water infrastructure that is needed for greenhouse growth. Other councilors said it's a sticky situation, as greenhouse growers said if the council passed the development charges it would increase costs and kill future greenhouse development in Chatham-Kent.
Read more at www.ckxsfm.com