Minor Ordinance Major Headache
I ran into a local resident while I was in Simcoe today at TSC (ironically enough). We were both there too early waiting for the store to open, so we go to chatting and I found out he was from Haldimand, and he found out I was running for mayor. I asked him how he felt about the house he bought a few years ago and how the city was performing, and he was less than impressed. He told me about a minor ordinance he needed to apply for in order to build a pole barn to start a wrought iron business. The business of course would not only bring him cash and the county through him spending, but would potentially create jobs. A building one stood where he is proposing, but he doesn't want to take a $1500 gamble and have his application denied for whatever reason.
I feel that small business is the backbone of society and putting any impediment in the way of progress is scary. I think its more logical to pay after the assessment if its approved (maybe have a small deposit). I understand the need for permits and the city to do its due diligence on every project, but cash grabs I am totally against, especially when it is potentially prohibitive to a future business operator or a farmer.