Abbotsford Drafts New Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) Policy

By Mike Harrison

The City of Abbotsford is establishing a new Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) policy, including a density bonus program. At the March 6^th council meeting, staff presented the project to Mayor and council to seek direction to work with the public and stakeholders to develop the policy.

Unlike many of its counterparts in the Fraser Valley, the City of Abbotsford does not have a formal CAC policy. Instead, the City manages development contributions to amenities through other mechanisms, including the Community Benefit Contribution program, which negotiates contributions individually on each rezoning application.

The new CAC policy proposes a flat rate system and includes an additional density bonus fee for any density being sought in excess of the current OCP designations. Staff’s report explains that revenue from CACs, including bonus density, will go towards the following categories of amenities:

• Affordable housing
• Recreation amenities (parks, trails, green space)
• Cultural amenities, and
• Emergency services

The proposed rates are as follows:

City staff will now be working to collect public and stakeholder consultation before finalizing the new policy.

Having watched a handful of municipalities recently install new CAC policies or institute massive increases to current rates, it’s comforting to see both a measured approach and fixed rates.

Click here to read the full staff report