ACCs, Infrastructure & Growth in Harrison - Questions & Answers
What does “baseline” mean?
The baseline is the infrastructure and services needed today to safely serve current residents - including water, sewer, drainage, pump stations, dikes and emergency systems. If these are strained or deficient, the baseline is not functioning.
What are DCCs?
Development Cost Charges (DCCs) are fees charged on new development to help pay for the capital cost of infrastructure needed for growth (water, sewer, roads, drainage, parks, fire protection, police services, etc.). Municipalities collect them when a building permit or subdivision is approved. Government of British Columbia
What are ACCs?
Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) are a new provincial development finance tool that lets local governments collect funds from new development to pay for capital community amenities like recreation centres, libraries, childcare or community spaces. They are established by bylaw and collected at subdivision or building permit stages. Government of British Columbia
Are ACCs mandatory?
No - ACCs are optional. A local government must adopt a specific ACC bylaw to use them. Government of British Columbia
Do ACCs replace DCCs?
No. ACCs do not replace DCCs. If both bylaws exist, both charges can apply to the same development, increasing total costs. Coquitlam
Can ACCs fix existing infrastructure problems?
No. ACCs can only be used for capital amenities tied to growth. They cannot fund repairs, maintenance, or operating costs for existing shortfalls. Government of British Columbia
How is a shortfall defined?
If a facility or infrastructure is needed to serve current residents, that’s a shortfall - not growth-related - and therefore not eligible for ACC funding under the provincial rules. Government of British Columbia
Where does infrastructure funding come from?
Infrastructure and facilities are typically funded from a mix of:
• User fees (like water and sewer charges)
• DCCs for growth-related infrastructure
• Grants from provincial or federal governments
• Prudent long-term debt for long-life assets
• Property taxes (used where other tools are insufficient) Government of British Columbia
Do higher charges affect affordability?
Yes. Both DCCs and ACCs are collected from developers, and evidence shows these costs are generally passed on to homebuyers or tenants through higher prices or rents. Government of British Columbia
What are ACCs actually for?
ACCs are designed to ensure that future growth helps pay for future community amenities. They are not intended to solve existing problems, and they do not cover maintenance or operating costs. Government of British Columbia
Bottom line
ACCs are a tool for growth-related amenities only. Without a functioning infrastructure baseline, collecting ACCs does not fix today’s infrastructure shortfalls - it only shifts future costs. Government of British Columbia
Worst case:
ACCs + DCCs stack, projects stall, housing supply drops, prices rise. Funds sit unused because baseline deficits block eligible projects. Infrastructure keeps failing, grants dry up, debt and taxes rise. Public trust collapses, builders leave, and growth freezes - while costs keep climbing.
What Does Adoption of DCCs and ACCs Signal?
Based on how these tools legally function, their adoption suggests one of three things:
Council is planning for significant future growth and intends charges to fund new capacity;
Council is protecting the municipality from future shortfalls by shifting risk to new development; or
Council relied on provincial or consultant guidance that may not align with Harrison’s existing infrastructure baseline.
Only the first scenario works if growth is real and infrastructure is fixed first.