STAFF REPORT
December 15, 1999
To: Scarborough Community Council
From: Steve Franklin, P.Eng.
Director and Deputy Chief Building Official
Urban Planning & Development Services, Building Division
Subject: Buddhist Centre and Monastery in Scarborough
Waiver of Fee
Ward 16, Scarborough Highland Creek
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to respond to a request by Scarborough Community Council for information regarding this
facility indicating whether the request for fee exemption is similar to the previous applications by Churchill Heights
Church and Malvern Methodist Church, and a comparison with other Community Council area practices within the City of
Toronto.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
(1) Building Permit Fees $8,080.00
(2) Development Charges $2,929.11 (City)
$1,355.92 (SPUC)
Recommendations: For information only.
Background:
Since 1997, Scarborough Council has considered, and waived, permit fees and development charges on a case-by-case
basis for four church related developments. During this time, it also adopted a policy in regard to waiver of development
charges under specific circumstances which expired on December 31, 1997.
The first of these four requests came from St. Nicholas Church. The Church requested the exemption on the basis that they
were providing services to the local community. The request for waiver of building permits fees was granted by the
Scarborough Council on April 29, 1997. Scarborough Council also waived the city portion of development charges on June
10, 1999. SPUC supported the Council decision and waived the SPUC portion of development charges.
[ Fees waived: Building Permit Fees: $ 68,142.89 ; Development Charges : $ 28,310.26 ]
Subsequent to this, Malvern Church filed a request for exemption from the permit fees on the basis that they are making
the facility available for community events and St. Nicholas Church was granted such an exemption. No development
charges were due since these were paid prior to registration of the plans of subdivision. At the same time, St. Joseph's
Parish also filed a request for exemption from the permit fees and development charges. A staff report was requested
regarding the exemption of fees. At its meeting on September 16, 1997, Scarborough Council adopted the
recommendations in report dated September 15, 1997, being:
"1. BUILDING PERMIT AND OTHER FEES: That Council reaffirm the City's existing policy of charging Building Permit
fees for all development.
2. DEVELOPMENT CHARGES: That Council review and approve the policy in Appendix 'B' entitled "Waiver of
Development Charges for Designated Developments".
3. EFFECTIVE DATE OF POLICY: That any policy approval be effective the date of Council approval until December 31,
1997."
On September 30, 1997, Scarborough Council directed "that Malvern Methodist Church be reimbursed in the amount of
$12,837.62 for building permit fees". At the same meeting, Council waived the building permit fees and development
charges for St. Joseph's Parish.
[St. Joseph's - Fees waived: Building Permit Fees: $ 16,250 ; Development Charges: $ 8,653.15
In 1998, Churchill Heights Baptist Church requested waiver of fees. Scarborough Community Council's recommendation
for waiving of building permit fees was adopted by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting held on July 8, 9, 10,
1998. Scarborough Community Council made recommendation only with respect to the permit fees, having been advised
by the Senior Counsel, Legal Services, Scarborough, that the Procedure By-Law had not delegated authority to the
Community Councils to discuss Development charges.
[ Fees waived : Building Permit Fee: $ 37,042.80 ]
The Building Permit for the Buddhist Centre at 4698 Kingston Road was issued in 1998. At that time, the applicant
requested exemption from Development charges and the Building permit fees on the basis that other charitable institutions
had been exempted from these charges. This request is similar in nature to other requests.
As to other Community Council area practices within the City of Toronto, there is no uniform policy regarding fee waivers.
The former Borough of East York waived planning and building permit fees for certain types of commercial and industrial
development between 1992 and 1995. Between 1995 and 1997, the former City of Scarborough waived building permit
fees for expansions of industrial development. In Etobicoke, city-owned buildings and joint ventures with the school
boards and library board were exempted from building permit fees.
A staff report is being prepared for exempting non-profit Housing from various charges. This report will be submitted to
Planning and Transportation Committee. A separate report from the City Solicitor will be presented to Planning and
Transportation Committee, in camera, regarding the Council's legislative authority to exempt non-profit housing from
building permit fees and parkland dedication requirement.
Conclusions:
Request for exemption of fees from the Buddhist Centre is similar to the previous applications by Churchill Heights
Church and Malvern Methodist Church.
At this time, there is no uniform policy for dealing with this issue.
Contact:
Steve Franklin, P.Eng.
Director and Deputy Chief Building Official
(416) 396-5035
(416) 396-4266
SFranklin@toronto.ca
Steve Franklin, P.Eng.
Director and Deputy Chief Building Official
Urban Planning & Development Services
Attachment: Report dated September 15,1997
:bk\1BUDDHIST.RPT
