Questions that should be answered by mayor and council candidates in Surrey:
1. When the revitalization of Whalley was announced, one developer indicated he was prepared to create a $1-billion project which would include a casino and commercial and residential development. Is this project still going to happen?
2. After a year, how many developers have taken out land use contracts or building permits under the policy of no taxes for three years and two-thirds the cost of development cost charges?
3. Did the developer who took over the two towers in City Centre receive these incentives?
4. In the new City Centre, do we not presently get taxes from the landowners? Zoning creates higher values and land assessments go up and more taxes are collected.
5. According to a press release in March 2011, governments have committed $2 billion in public sector projects. Has this all been spent?
6. With the limited amount of land in the Fraser Valley, why do we have to give incentives to developers to build here?
7. If a developer doesn’t proceed with his land use contract in under three years, is he able to flip the project to a new developer? Will they start over and get three years with no taxes?
8. The mayor stated that developers contribute to new schools. How many new schools have been built under this program?
9. The mayor has stated by 2030 Surrey will have 250,000 more people. We are short of schools, hospital beds, and road improvements. Isn’t it time to slow the development down to an acceptable pace?
Dalton Jones, Surrey
