Despite a recommendation from administration and a consultant who studied the matter, city council is changing a proposed increase to the land development levy.

Late last year, the consultant explained that it was costing the city upwards of $80,000 per acre to develop new residential areas but the city was charging less than half of that back to the landowners. The levy came up for final approval but perceived confusion over what passing or defeating the motion meant, tossed a wrench into the mix and it was delayed.

As a re-hashed version of the increase came up for debate, Councillor Scott McMann opposed the move and explained that he felt the increase was too much during the current economic downturn.

"While I understand the logic of the development levy I'm really struggling implementing this huge increase when our local and provincial economies are not firing on all cylinders rights now, our building permit levels the past couple of years speak to that lack of development."

McMann has proposed an increase to just over $49,000 per acre, rather than the $80,000. He explained that he took the rate from 1996 and then added 2% for each year. That was still well short of what Michelle Sanson, Director of Planning and Development Services has been advising for the last year but the majority of council supported the move. However, since it wasn't unanimous, it will need to come back for further debate.