The Town of Golden is working with Urban Systems Ltd. to update the Development Cost Charges (DCC) Bylaw, ensuring that growth-related infrastructure needs are contributed to fairly, and distributed to different developers across the community. This process involves informing the development community of recent infrastructure master plans and will include public engagement to ensure transparency and consultation with the development community, taxpayers and the community.
As Golden continues to grow, new developments increase the demand for infrastructure and services. Offsite infrastructure improvements such as roads, active transportation infrastructure, expanded water and sewer capacity, and wastewater treatment upgrades are required to support this growth. DCCs are fees collected from developers and placed in reserves to help fund these necessary upgrades, making sure that growth pays for growth by contributing to the costs associated with expanding municipal infrastructure. Some DCC projects include a distribution of costs between existing users and new development, and others are entirely growth related. All DCCs include a small municipal assist factor.
“DCCs help make sure that development pays for the infrastructure it relies on and helps provide some certainty of funding for future construction of growth-related infrastructure,” said Phil Armstrong, Director of Planning & Development for the Town of Golden. “We recognize the importance of balancing sustainable growth with fair development costs, and we are committed to working closely with the development community throughout this process.”
The Town’s current DCC Bylaw was adopted in 2012 and includes charges for water and sewer. The updated bylaw will incorporate new DCC categories such as transportation and parks, reflecting the needs of our growing community. Recent studies and growth projections including the Golden Transportation and Active Transportation Plans, the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan and the soon to be completed Integrated Water Strategy and the Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrades Feasibility Study. These studies identify project needs and costs informing the new DCC program. The DCC program will only be able to fund some of the identified infrastructure upgrades.
“The Town has existing infrastructure that requires ongoing investment from taxpayers, separate from the infrastructure needed to support growth,” said Chris Cochran, Director of Public Works. “That said, we are working with developers by sharing our master plans, data, and existing systems information, and we will consider collaborative solutions that meet both community needs and development goals.”
The DCC update process is structured into four key phases:
- Phase 1: Background Review (September 2024 – February 2025) – Reviewing master plans and preparing funding approaches.
- Phase 2: DCC Calculation (March – April 2025) – Developing financial models and draft rates for Council review.
- Phase 3: Consultation and Engagement (May – June 2025) – Engaging with stakeholders and the public and refining proposed DCC rates.
- Phase 4: Provincial Approvals (July – December 2025) – Securing approval from the Inspector of Municipalities before Council adoption of the new DCC Bylaw.
At Council’s February 25, 2025, Standing Committee on Finance meeting, initial draft rates were presented. Town staff and Urban Systems will provide additional information to Council in April to seek direction on consultation with the community.
Developers with in-stream applications before the adoption of the new bylaw may qualify for protections that allow them to pay current rates.
Some developments will be required to fund or build certain offsite infrastructure in order to develop their properties that are either not part of the DCC program or where there are not adequate funds within the DCC reserve funds at the time they are seeking to develop. The Town will also be exploring additional development financing tools with the development community, to ensure flexibility in funding infrastructure projects.
“This is a significant update that will help shape Golden’s future growth and infrastructure investment” added Armstrong. “We encourage developers, businesses, and residents to stay tuned for the upcoming consultation process.”
The Town anticipates the updated DCC Bylaw will be in effect by the end of 2025. More information, including engagement opportunities and study findings, will be made available on the Town of Golden’s website at www.golden.ca/dcc