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Creation of a Local Area Service allows for the installation of a service that directly benefits a distinct area of Saanich, and to have the service paid for in whole or in part by those who directly benefit.
These services are usually ones that do not meet normal municipal criteria for funded capital works, yet are sufficiently desired by the residents. Examples of such services are: sidewalks on residential roads, storm drains, street lighting, underground power lines, and watermains.
Local Area Services may be initiated by Saanich, but are usually initiated by residents using a petition process set out in the Community Charter. Residents interested in initiating a Local Area Service are encouraged to contact the Engineering Department for advice and assistance right from the beginning.
Petition Process
In general terms, a petition must be signed by more than 50% of the benefiting property owners, representing more than 50% of the total assessed values for land and improvements of the benefiting properties. The Municipality determines which properties will benefit from the Local Area Service.
Cost Recovery
Saanich recovers some or all of the costs of Local Area Services, based on the class of service, and has determined which services will be paid for on a parcel basis and which will be paid for on a frontage basis.
Table 1 – Portion of a Local Area Service to be Recovered
Table 1 provides the portion of the actual cost of a Local Area Service that is to be recovered by a local service tax for various classes of work.
| Class of Work |
Portion to be Recovered (%) |
| Water systems, including watermains equal to or less than a nominal 150mm diameter, hydrants, valves, and appurtenances. |
100% |
| Water systems, including watermains greater than a nominal 150mm diameter, hydrants, valves, and appurtenances. |
100% of all but the watermain, and 100% of the value of a nominal 150mm diameter main |
| Underground conduits for wires, including all works necessary or incidental thereto, to convert from overhead service to underground service. |
100% |
| All other classes of work. |
50% |
Table 2 - Classes of Work to be Apportioned Equally
Table 2 lists the classes of work for which the portion of the cost to be recovered will be divided equally between all the benefiting properties.
Class of Work |
| Water systems including a single family residential connection to each benefiting property. |
| Storm drains including a connection to each benefiting property. |
| Pole mounted luminaires. |
| All other classes of work not identified in this Table or in Table 3. |
Table 3 - Classes of Work to be Apportioned by Taxable Frontage
Table 3 lists the classes of work for which the portion of the cost to be recovered will be apportioned on the basis of taxable frontage.
| Class of Work |
| Road Improvements eg. repaving, sidewalks, curbs. |
| Underground conduits to convert from overhead service to underground. |
Local Service Taxes
If a Local Area Service is created, the costs to be recovered from each benefiting property are considered Local Service Taxes. The taxes may be paid at the first instance when the service is installed, or they may be included on the annual property tax notice for a number of years, typically 15-20. Interest rates on the costs are established by the province on an annual basis.
If you have any questions regarding the Local Area Services please contact the Engineering Department at 250-475-5575.
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