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Residents face startiing tax hike aterloo regional council will conâ€" Wsider a property tax hike tonight which would increase the averâ€" age Waterloo resident‘s 2001 bill by a starâ€" tling $152. The rise in rates, which will be felt in different degrees regionwide, can be attributed to recent provincial policy changes to threshold ratios, shifting the tax burden from businesses and multiâ€"residential buildings onto homeâ€" owners. "The provincial government in its wisâ€" dom has decided to close the gap between multiâ€"residential, commercial and indusâ€" trial to residential," Waterloo Coun. Morty Taylor, chair of the city‘s finance commitâ€" tee, told council Monday night. "The good news is the government is trying to adjust the ratios, attempting to be fair to all parties. But if you look at the other side of the coin, somebody has to pick up the increase." Taylor pointed out, however, that if the education portion of the regional tax bills decrease by more than three per cent, as he said is now being predicted, local resiâ€" dents will see a slightly lower increase of 5.9 per cent, which equals about $122. No matter the increase, Taylor said the tax hike for homeowners should be phased in over a number of years. "Otherwise residents will see a 40 per cent increase in one year," he said. That decision, however, lies only in the hands of the province. "There‘s not much we can do about it," said Waterloo Regional Chairman Ken You said it Viewpoint Classified 33 WATERLOO CHRONICLE wHAT‘S INSIDE By Anprea Baiey Chronicle Staff _ Continued on page 6 27 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2001 «_ WATERLOO, ONTARIO Part of the annual Earth Da; celebrations in Waterloo over the weekend included the reforestation of Forwell Creek valley on Saturday with the help of Home Depot and more than 100 volunteers from the community. Taking part in the tree planting was Brandon Wohlegemut, 12, pictured above. Serving your community since 1856 Doing his part for the environment $1 INCLUDING GST 808 VRBANAC PHOTO Strickland questions ‘"omart Erowth‘ strategy Walerlo() regional Coun. Sean _ Strickland _ is questioning just how wise a development strategy entiâ€" tled ‘Smart Growth‘ would be for this city in terms of expansion and landlock. According to a report recently _ presented _ by Waterloo Regional Chairâ€" man Ken Seiling, a study of existing and future developâ€" ment options in the region must be undertaken, which will ultimately lead to a plan of "smart growth." The study will review all existing urban designations, paying particular attention to the eastern lands boundâ€" ed by Highway 7, the Grand River and Maple Grove Road, and examining curâ€" rent and future land needs, existing and required infraâ€" lcanada.com| Saab of Kitchener Waterioo 663 Victoria St. N. 744â€"5811 By AnprEA BatLey Chronicle Staff Donna‘s Hair* RBC Securities* Jumbo Video* Continued on page 5