West Kent Councillor Lauren Anderson is looking to provide the Wheatley Legion some financial relief.
“Chatham-Kent citizens have great respect for our veterans and the role of Legion Branches,” Anderson said in her notice of motion, which she issued on Monday, August 11, 2025.
“The Wheatley Legion was permanently displaced from the gas issue in downtown Wheatley and has purchased land at 25 and 27 Talbot Road West, Wheatley and has developed detailed plans to build a new building with construction planned this fall.
Anderson added: “If the Wheatley Legion was able to rebuild at their original location they would have been exempt from development charges under the development charges by-law, likely would not have incurred planning fees and would have remained exempt from property taxes.”
Anderson added MPAC does not exempt legions from assessment until the building is built and occupied.
“Therefore the Legion is receiving tax bills,” Anderson said., adding there are development charge fees of approximately $67,500, building permit fees of approximately $17,000, planning fees of approximately $4,900 and property taxes for late 2024 and 2025 of approximately $3,100 charged by Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent PUC for the new building and property.
Anderson is proposing that Chatham-Kent Council grant approximately $92,500 from the strategic reserve to offset these costs, until the MPAC assessment exemption can be granted.
Anderson’s motion is set to be on the agenda at an upcoming Chatham-Kent Council meeting.
