The organization formerly known as Cambridge Hindu Society is close to getting city approval to build a new temple on a slice of land in the Cambridge industrial park.
But fundraising for the project has been stifled by the pandemic, and now the Radha Krishna Mandir & Cultural Centre Inc. (RKMCC) is hoping the city accepts a request to defer development charges so it can move ahead with a site plan.
The RKMCC is proposing to build a two storey, 1,982 square metre temple at 85 Boxwood Drive, with parking for over 100 vehicles.
The RKMCC’s current place of worship is at 67 Old Mill Road in Blair.
The organization purchased the 2.24 acre, triangular piece of land at 85 Boxwood Drive 20 years ago.
The “vacant and sparsely vegetated” property is bordered by Cherry Blossom Road to the north and Royal Oak Road to the southwest.
Recent legislative changes to the Development Charges Act and the Planning Act, allows qualifying developments to have rates frozen for the duration of the development process and to defer payments over multiple years.
The RKMCC project was submitted last December, making it eligible for a rate freeze, but ineligible for a rate deferral without council approval.
City of Cambridge planning staff is recommending council allow the deferral of $117,905 in development charges to allow RKMCC to pay it over six equal installments over five years at an interest rate of prime plus two per cent, based on the rate at the time the building permit is issued.
Development charges are fees collected by municipalities to recoup the costs of providing services like fire and police, as well as roads, water, sewer and other amenities. The rates are applied to the floor space of buildings.
The total amount of development charges owed to the city is subject to change based on the final floor area of the approved site plan.
