872 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

But private developers aren't really using their own money - they are passing the costs on to the future owners and residents of their projects and in turn driving up housing costs. Developers shouldn't feel they have to offer amenities in order to get their housing projects approved.

[Mike K.]

Why be so negative, all the time?

 

Jeez Louise, nparker.

[Nparker]

Telling the truth isn't being negative, unless of course the truth itself is negative, which often it is.

[Mike K.]

You complain about taxes. You complain about private money paying for things your taxes would otherwise pay for. You then complain about the state of things that your taxes haven't paid to fix, and will complain if private dollars want to fix it.

 

[lanforod]

Feels like you two are arguing with yourselves. Mike complains about transit lacking to Sooke, but also complains about taxes going up too.

[Mike K.]

I wish a private developer would improve transit infrastructure in my neighbourhood. But I'm not that fortunate.

 

I think you'll find, Lanf, that I make note of taxes rising, and transit services worsening. That's a fair take, no?

[lanforod]

Oh, taxes rising and services worsening just seems to be par for the course lately, don't it .

[Mike K.]

Yup.

[JimV]

On a related matter, does anyone know who approves the “public art” frequently provided as an amenity?  Hideous examples abound - the concrete mattress and the phone booth/garbage can at the arena spring to mind but there are many others.  There must be a committee behind these inexplicable decisions somewhere.  At the very least they should be named and shamed.

[Victoria Watcher]

Seattle Times:

Harrell's draft transportation proposal would be largest property tax levy in Seattle history

Voters will decide whether Seattle’s Department of Transportation should get $1.35 billion in property taxes over the next eight years to repave busy streets, maintain bridges, build and repair sidewalks and expand the city’s bike network. Here's what we know about Mayor Bruce Harrell's draft plan

[Mike K.]

I think we need to consider tax breaks for these companies to provide some of their services without cost.

Currently even tiny road work projects are impossible for small municipalities to independently fund, because costs are so high.

It simply cannot go on this way, unless we begin borrowing money for every public improvement, which will drown growing communities in debt over the long term.

[Nparker]

...unless we begin borrowing money for every public improvement, which will drown growing communities in debt over the long term.

Begin? I thought we were already doing this (for the most part). Each person in Canada already owes over $33,000 to government debt. Kicking the can down the road is a Canadian institution.

[Victoria Watcher]

Saanich property taxes to go up 7.91% as council approves budget

 

Councillors voted Tuesday night to approve $12.8 million in additional spending this year.

https://www.timescol...-budget-8611689