Editor:
Re: Homeowner balks at ‘unfair’ $33K fee, NOW News
I take exception to comments attributed to Jonathan Helmus (Burnaby’s assistant director of engineering for infrastructure and development)in this story.
Helmus implies that for the 80% of Burnaby residential properties with direct storm sewer connections, owners of those properties have directly paid the full cost of the storm sewer installation.
That is not correct.
With the possible exception of subdivision developments, storm sewers were either paid for in full by the general taxpayer (fully funded by the city) or were installed under LAS (Local Area Services) programs. The LAS programs share costs between the city and benefiting property owners, in the interest of the common good.
Bylaw 13722 introduced and passed in February 2017 without recorded council debate (I have reviewed the video of council meetings) declares that the city will no longer contribute to any residential storm sewer installation costs for the 20% of properties not currently directly served.
In effect, and without prior notice to property owners, these 20% can expect at any time to receive a very substantial “bill.” Although the bylaw does not require immediate payment (it is required only when a large building permit is applied for), the property owner is required to declare the outstanding “bill” to any future purchaser, including interest charges added by the city, currently at 4.95% per annum. The net effect is to devalue selected properties, without compensation (not registered with the assessment authority, only recorded in a Burnaby bylaw).
LAS programs continue to exist – if the city wanted some cost recovery, this is the mechanism that should have been applied, as per historic practice.
Bylaw 13722 is discriminatory (applying to a select 20%), and needs to be overturned.
Stan Matthews, Burnaby
