Downtown St. GeorgeCommunity Improvement Plan

Statutory Public MeetingFebruary 4, 2019

Outline

• What is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

– Paris Community Improvement Plan

• Study Process and Timeline

– Public Input

• Study Area

– Recommended Community Improvement Project Area

• Financial Incentive Programs

• Municipal Leadership Strategy

• Administration

What is a CIP?

• A tool used to achieve a wide variety of goals:

– Downtown Revitalization

– Heritage Conservation

– Brownfield Remediation

– Economic Development, Community Planning

• Section 28 of the Planning Act

– Financial incentives

– Municipal leadership strategy – acquire, improve land and buildings

Purpose of the Project

• To consider the implementation of a CIP for Downtown St. George

• Financial incentives to promote private property improvements:

– Façade and signage improvements

– Infill and development

– Other improvements

– Subject to design guidelines

• A set of actions or recommendations regarding streetscaping

Downtown Paris Community Improvement Plan

• County administers one existing CIP for Downtown Paris

• Wide range of incentives

– Design guidelines

• Municipal project recommendations

• Good uptake and success in its implementation

Recommended Community Improvement Project Area (Downtown)

• Need to delineate the specific area where the CIP will apply

Recommended Community Improvement Project Area

St. George Core Area

(Red Area)

Study Timeline

February 2018

March 22, 2018

Summer 2018

Fall 2018

Feb. 4, 2019

By Spring 2019

By Spring 2019

Project Initiation & Discussion Paper

Public Open House & Workshop

Finalize the Discussion Paper

Complete the Draft CIP / Guidelines

Statutory Public Meeting

Finalize the CIP & Design Guidelines

Council Adoption

Public Input

• Visioning workshop held March 28, 2018

– Vision for Downtown St. George

– SWOT Assessment

– Rate importance of Options for Incentive Programs

• Over 40 participants

• 26 questionnaires

• Input is summarized in Background Report

What I like about Downtown St.

George…?What could be improved...?

Active & energetic community Supply of parking for businesses and

visitors

Walkable & accessible More retail selection

Cooperation amongst business owners Continuity of facades

Old Victorian/heritage buildings Signage & wayfinding

Quaint Main Street Sidewalks & crosswalks to become

more pedestrian friendly

Free parking Streetlights & lighting

Variety of shops & restaurants Park improvements

Sunnyside House Plaques & historical information

Small business community Museum (needs a facelift and refresh)

Complete community Overhead wires

Marketing & branding – help to create

identity

Public restrooms

Public InputType of Improvement Program Very

Important

A Little

Important

Not

Important

Façade and signage grant 13 10 1

Property, landscaping, and

private parking improvement

grant

20 4 0

Grants for new/improved

housing in upper storeys6 9 8

Development/ redevelopment

grants12 9 3

Brownfield grants 6 8 10

Accessibility grants 19 6 0

Streetscaping/ beautification

improvements12 11 1

Gateways and wayfinding

signage9 11 3

Parking strategy 23 1 0

Recommended Incentive Programs(to promote private property improvement)

1. Façade improvement grant

2. Signage improvement grant

3. Upper storey apartment improvement grants

4. Property, landscaping, private parking improvement grant

5. Adaptive Commercial Reuse Grant

6. Development Incentives (infill, major improvements)

– Planning / Building Permit Fee Rebate

– Tax Increment Equivalent Grant

7. Brownfield development incentives

– Study grant

– Tax assistance

Implementation of Incentive Programs

• Flexible toolbox of incentives

• Projects must adhere to Design Guidelines

• Council sets budget each year to fund incentives

• CIP outlines program details:

– Eligible works

– Amount of the grants

• CIP outlines application process

– Submission requirements

– Timing and payment of grant

Municipal Projects(to address public property & policy)

1. Streetscape Master Plan

2. Marketing/promotion of the CIP’s incentives

3. Monitoring and evaluating the CIP’s performance

Administration of the CIP

• Council may delegate the responsibility of decision-making on grant applications

• Considerations:

– Paris CIP applications currently decided upon by the Paris Renaissance group (volunteers)

– Most other municipalities utilize a committee of staff (expediency, understanding of CIP and expertise)

• Recommend that a committee of staff be designated as the approval authority for grant applications for all three CIPs

– With continued involvement/expertise of Paris Renaissance group

Thank you – Public Meeting

Questions/comments?

Heather Madden Economic Development & Tourism Department

County of Brant31 Mechanic Street, Suite 205

Paris, ON N3L 1K1Phone: 519-442-6324 x 3039

Email: heather.madden@brant.ca

Website: www.brant.ca