Building permits issued in Summerland in February were worth more than $25 million, according to statistics from the municipality鈥檚 department of development services.
During the month, 20 building permits were issued, with a total construction value of $25,545,000.
By comparison, in the same month of 2024, 11 building permits were issued with a total construction value of $982,500.
In a report to Summerland council, Brad Dollevoet, director of development services, said the month of February was positive for the community in terms of construction value and new building activity.
鈥淭he number of building permits issued has maintained a higher pace than that experienced for the previous four years,鈥� he said.
While the dollar value in February is significant, a big part of this value came as a result of a single building permit.
The building permit for the housing project on Henry Avenue, from Turning Points Collaborative Society, was for $24.2 million.
The project, at 13204 and 13214 Henry Ave., is at the site of what was once Summerland United Church.
Summerland council previously provided financial assistance for this project in February 2024, with the forgiveness of development cost charges, building permit fees and development permit fees.
These fees have a total cost of $547,000.
Council also required the registration of a restrictive covenant, to ensure the facility does not include an emergency shelter.
While the municipality has waived fees for this project, Dollevoet said the facility will contribute to the community鈥檚 revenues through property taxation.
A preliminary estimate, from the municipality鈥檚 finance department, has a conservative estimate of $380,000 of construction value for each residential unit, and a total annual tax revenue of $50,500. This is based on 2024 taxation rates.
鈥淕iven that the previous use of this property was a permissive tax exempt church organization, council can expect roughly a 10-year payback period of its original $547,000 investment,鈥� Dollevoet said.
B.C. Assessment has said the project is still in its early stages and the calculated amounts could change significantly.
