Wall murals Adding art to your abode
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lori andrews A15
Marda Loop Feature
Real Estate (Central)
A11
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FREE oct 11 to oct 17 2013 issue 03-40
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Nenshi talking cuts to
“sprawl subsidy”
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City’s development community disagrees with mayor’s terminology Cody Stuart
managing editor
M
ayor Naheed Nenshi may have his work cut out for him in his bid to end Calgary’s “sprawl subsidy” by increasing suburban developer levies. Calling for an end to what he calls a developer “subsidy” that amounts to $4,800 for every new suburban home built in the city, Nenshi has laid out his arguments against the current agreement between the city and suburban developers. “I believe we should close this subsidy. I believe we should make growth pay for itself and not result in debt that goes on to our children and grandchildren,” Nenshi said on a video posted on his website. Negotiated in 2011, the current agreement between the city and developers calls for a 50/50 split for water and wastewater costs. According to Nenshi, those numbers, combined with the 85 per cent levy for “Community and Recreation” costs, works out to about 78 per cent of the cost of the required infrastructure for new communities (roads, water pipes, waste water pipes, emergency services, recreation facilities and libraries) paid for by the development industry. Developers are responsible for 100 per cent of the costs of transportation and storm sewers. The remaining 12 per cent is covered by Calgarians through their utility bills, amounting to Nenshi’s $4,800 per home number which he has said costs city taxpayers $33 million a year.
sprawl A3 Discussing what he calls one of the most important issues of the upcoming election, Mayor Naheed Nenshi speaks to reporters about his wish to increase the amount being paid by Calgary developers. cody stuart, Managing Editor
$512,359
$517,234
$524,900
$527,162
$521,887
$510,834
$518,392
$496,579
$496,636
$488,311
$492,777 $468,360
$475,272
$478,528
$489,271
$483,519
$472,465
SEP11 OCT11 NOV11 DEC11 JAN12 FEB12 MAR12 APR12 MAY12 JUN12 JUL12 AUG12 SEP12 OCT12 NOV12 DEC12 JAN13 FEB13 MAR13 APR13 MAY13 JUN13 JUL13 AUG13 SEP13
$438,683
$453,629
$469,726
$470,655 $455,399
$466,167
$502,065
$518,452
SINGLE FAMILY
MLS® AVERAGE PRICE* SEP ‘11 – SEP ‘13
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
CREB® Charitable Foundation helps celebrate revitalized Children’s Cottage CREB® STAFF
A
20-year-old playground at Calgary’s Children’s Cottage Society was the recipient of a serious makeover, thanks in parts to a contribution from CREB®’s Charitable Foundation.
community A3
contents news briefs
A3
test your knowledge A6 Don’t get snowed
mortgage rates
A8
safety
A9
Fire prevention week
commercial
A12
industry
A12
Surrounding sales soaring
map
B1
open houses
B19