Before making any changes to a new development charges bylaw, municipal officials are hoping those against it can provide some feedback.
Chatham-Kent council voted Monday to direct municipal staff to engage with the stakeholders that have appealed the bylaw and come back to council with recommendations on any future changes.
Councillor Michael Bondy first brought forward a motion to reconsider the bylaw but after some discussion, council decided to take another route to find a middle ground.
"Their [the stakeholders] concern was that they were not engaged well enough," said Bondy. "We ran into this with the shelter and we don't want to go down that road twice. I think there can be some constructive dialogue and hopefully, this can be resolved."
Council approved the new charges back in August in an effort to help ease the burden on taxpayers.
Single detached homes now carry an additional $17,316 fee imposed at the time a building permit is issued.
The charges are also levied on other types of residential builds, such as townhouses, apartment buildings, special care dwelling units, and bunkhouses.
According to a previous report, Chatham-Kent is planning to spend $37.85 million over the next five years on growth-related infrastructure.
The development charges in place will provide $26.24 million to help cover those costs.
"I think this is the most efficient way to go about this," said Councillor Brock McGregor. "I have had discussions with the Chatham-Kent Home Builders Association and there has been a lot of good discussion with that group. I think this is the best way to move forward and look for opportunities to adjust things and make everyone come out of this happy."
The bylaw will stay in place and developers will continue to be charged until the municipality decides to make any changes.
Municipal staff will come back to council with potential recommendations in 90 days.