Calgary builders say high fees in redevelopment areas hinder work, jeopardize affordability

Calgary boasts some of the lowest municipal development charges for new residential development in Canada, a report prepared by Altus Group last year shows, but not all new construction is made equal across the prairie city.

A recent analysis produced by the Calgary Inner City Builders Association (CICBA) suggests that development fees related to infrastructure upgrades can add, on average, $77,700 to the cost of an individual townhouse built in a redeveloping neighbourhood. By contrast, fees for single and semi-detached homes in established areas amount to less than $40,000 per dwelling.