A group of influential Toronto developers will come together early next week to discuss ways it can help Mayor Rob Ford build a subway along Sheppard Ave. But the one option that’s absolutely off the table for them is the thing Ford needs most.

“We will not support increased development charges,” said one prominent developer who, along with about 20 other industry players, gathered for a hastily called lunchtime meeting with the mayor. “The industry supports subways (but) the mayor can not build them on the backs of the development industry and future home buyers.”

The declaration is the latest blow for Ford, who is scrambling to save his subway expansion plan. The mayor has just two weeks to come up with a concrete business plan to build the Sheppard line. On March 15, council will decide on a final strategy for the type of transit it wants along the north Toronto corridor.

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Last week, the mayor opened the door to revenue tools such as parking levies, development fees and tax increment financing — which leverages future revenues from increased property values in areas with expanded transit.

His preference is the latter two.

But the builder community isn’t having it.

“The mood in the room was that subways in principle make the most sense. However, how we get there requires more time and due diligence,” said Paul Golini, executive vice president of Empire Communities.

Leo DelZotto, chief executive and chair of development giant Tridel, said the industry is united in support of the mayor’s subway vision, but he was scant on details about whether developers would kick in cash to make it happen.

When asked if the industry would be open to purchasing rights to build on top of future subway stations, DelZotto said that’s already happening. “Go to Yonge and Sheppard. We’re building 100,000 square feet on top of the subway right now,” he said.

Ford emerged from the Wednesday meeting optimistic, saying the builders urged him to build a Sheppard subway, not the light rail likely to be approved by council.

Those in the room said the mayor read off the potential revenue tools to build Sheppard that were included in the Chong report — such as road tolls, parking levies and a vehicle tax — but that there was no discussion on the items.

Increasingly desperate to fulfill his 2010 campaign promise to build subways, Ford has talked to councillors in recent days about road tolls, levies on parking spots, a special sales tax and even a $100 vehicle registration tax. One of Ford’s first victories on council was abolishing David Miller’s $60 car tax.

“The mayor is saying, behind closed doors, he’s willing to look at all the revenue tools. Let’s hear him say it in the open. Even then, he’s $1 billion short,” said Councillor Adam Vaughan.

Vaughan, who spoke with some of the developers after the meeting, said they “are not prepared to pay for the subway, but if the city builds it they are willing to put condos on the line.

Last Wednesday, Ford invited centrist councillors Mary-Margaret McMahon and Ana Bailão to his office asking for a “fresh start with Sheppard,” McMahon said.

The meeting centred on funding options for a Sheppard subway, she said, with Ford asking their views on a special sales tax, parking levies and road tolls, if they were needed in addition to development charges, tax-increment financing and federal funding.

“I was surprised that he was suggesting those things — I’m thrilled the words ‘road tolls’ even rolled off his lips,” McMahon said.

Ford has also met with influential centrist and right-wing councillors who have opposed him recently, including Josh Colle, John Parker and TTC chair Karen Stintz.

Parker for one has indicated he will not support new taxes or fees to build subways. Colle said he could get behind some revenue tools (though not a vehicle tax), but by March 15 he needs “a business plan.”

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“It can be broad strokes, it doesn’t have to be down to the dime. But I don’t think we can defer this — the province wants a decision and residents are sick of this debate.”

With files from Tess Kalinowski and David Rider