Every new development built in Murrayville contributes to a fund that will be used to build an overpass that pedestrians can use to avoid Fraser Highway traffic.
The latest boost to the fund is by Platinum Enterprises, which has applied to rezone 2.7 acres at 22333 and 22357 Fraser Hwy., immediately east of the new Sunridge retirement home.
Platinum becomes the first single family development on the north side of Fraser Highway to pay the increased fee which rose to $332 per unit, up from $250, in July, 2011.
ParkLane Homes’ Winchester townhouse development became the first development on the south side to pay the levy. Until then, it had been applied only to new construction on the north side of Fraser Highway.
Platinum’s contribution raises the overpass account to approximately $160,000, well shy of the amount required to build an overpass.
Last summer, council heard that the cost would be between $2.5 million and $3 million, excluding land acquisition.
That should not be an issue if the municipality retains ownership of land at 221 Street where Township Hall was situated until 2005.
By contrast, the Cole-Harmony pedestrian overpass, in the 6800 block of 200 Street, cost $1.7 million.
Commercial buildings, such as Tim Hortons currently being built at 22525 Fraser Hwy., also pay a levy based on a rate of $4.15 per square metre of gross floor space.
Third reading of the bylaws for Platinum’s development, which is for 20 single family houses, was approved on July 9.