Beamsville Community Improvement Plan Town of Lincoln Public Open House May 3, 2011 RCI Consulting | GSP Group

Topics Project Update Interim Report Draft Public Realm Improvement Concept Draft Commercial Façade Design Guidelines Preliminary Incentive Programs Next Steps Discussion Workshop

CIP Project Update Timeline 1. Project Initiation 2. Background Review July 2010 2. Background Review August 2010 3. Visioning - Public Meeting #1/Workshop September 2010 September 2010 4. Public Realm Strategy January 2011 5. Incentive Programs February 2011 6. Open House - Public Meeting #2 May 2011 7. Implementation Strategy Summer 2011 8. Community Improvement Plan - Public Meeting #3 (Planning Act) Summer 2011

Interim Report Legislation and Policy Review Project Phase Timeline Legislation and Policy Review Results of SWOT Analysis and the first Public Consultation Session Vision Recommended Community Improvement Project Area Public Realm and Incentive Program Best Practices Direction for CIP Public Realm Improvement Financial Incentive Programs Policy and Regulatory Considerations

Vision Core and corridor: Authentic identity Project Phase Timeline Core and corridor: Authentic identity Strong presence and first impression Complete and self sufficient Welcoming and friendly Green and natural Connected TOOLS: Public Realm Improvement Concept Commercial Façade Guidelines Financial Incentive Programs

Recommended Project Area Study Area Recommended Project Area Project Phase Timeline

Public Realm Concept Principles for improvements: Augment Identity Pedestrian experience Phased Central space Transition Simple Soft edges

Public Realm Concept Direction on: Entrances Wayfinding Intersections Street Trees Amenities Mid-block Public Art Parking Lot Central Space

Public Realm Concept (1) Entrances

Public Realm Concept (2) Wayfinding

Public Realm Concept (3) Intersections Existing

Public Realm Concept (4) Street Trees

Public Realm Concept (5) Amenities Existing

Public Realm Concept (6) Mid-Block Existing

Public Realm Concept (7) Public Art Existing

Public Realm Concept (8) Parking Lot Existing

Public Realm Concept (9) Central Space

Commercial Façade Design Guidelines Key Points: flexible, not strict rules traditional & contemporary facades existing façades & new development guide to property/business owners in preparing applications guide to Town when reviewing applications adoption by Town Council desired

Commercial Façade Design Guidelines Guidance on: Materials Colour Entries & doors Windows Signs Lighting Detailing Awnings Top Middle Bottom Top Middle Bottom

Preliminary Incentive Programs Developed comprehensive “toolkit” of preliminary incentive programs for the Project Area based on: Policy goals Key weaknesses and threats identified in the SWOT Analysis; Community Vision for Project Area; and, Best incentive program practices in other municipalities. Seven (7) potential incentive programs generated to address critical community improvements needs. Once CIP is adopted, Council can activate individual programs Programs can be used individually or together.

Preliminary Incentive Programs General Program Requirements All programs are application based Programs not retroactive Non-owners can apply for applicable programs with owner’s consent Recommended staff be delegated approval authority for minor type applications For all other incentive programs, staff determine program eligibility and make recommendation to Council or Council’s designate. Town will require all proposed works conform with Town Design Guidelines Town staff may inspect property before, during and after works completed. If application approved, Town may require applicant enter into agreement with Town that governs terms of incentive Town reserves right to audit cost of any and all works If applicant in default of any program requirements, Town may delay, reduce or cancel payment of the incentive

Preliminary Incentive Programs Urban Design Study Grant Program Grant equal to 50% of cost of an urban design study/professional architectural/design drawings Maximum grant equals $2,500 with one grant per property/project. Grant paid once design study/drawings are complete and to satisfaction of Town. Recommended that program be offered for 10 years.

Preliminary Incentive Programs Façade Improvement Grant Program Grant equal to 50% of front façade, signage and storefront improvement costs to a maximum grant of $12,500 per property/project. Separate grant equal to 50% of façade improvement costs for side and/or rear facades that are highly visible from public parking area or open space to a maximum grant of $7,500 per property/project. Examples of eligible facade works: Repair/replacement of storefront, including doors and windows; repair/replacement of awnings, canopies, cornices, parapets; repair or repointing of masonry and brickwork; painting and facade cleaning/treatments; new lighting/upgrading of existing fixtures; installation/improvement of signage; All works must conform to Town Design Guidelines. Recommended that program be offered for 10 years.

Preliminary Incentive Programs 3. Building Improvement Grant/Loan Program Grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible interior/exterior building maintenance/improvement works to a maximum grant of $10,000 per property/project. OR 0% (no interest) loan equal to 70% of cost of eligible works to a maximum loan per property/project of $20,000. Eligible costs include: Structural repairs Installation/upgrading of fire protection systems Barrier free access Roof/window/door repair/replacement HVAC On-site utilities upgrading Other similar improvements Loan repayable over 5 years with 15% of loan repaid every year and a balloon payment at end of 5 years. Recommended that program be offered for 10 years.

Preliminary Incentive Programs 4. Residential Grant/Loan Program Grant for cost of converting vacant or underutilized upper floor commercial space or constructing new residential units @ $15 per sq.ft. to max. grant of $15,000 per unit/ max. of 4 units per property/project OR Loan @ $20 per sq.ft. to max. loan of $20,000 per unit and max. of 4 units per property/project Can be used for rental or ownership units Loan repayable over 5 years with 15% of loan repaid every year and a balloon payment at end of 5 years. Recommended that program be offered for 10 years.

Preliminary Incentive Programs Revitalization Tax Grant Annual tax-increment based grant equivalent to 80% of municipal property tax increase for up to 10 years Grant equal to 100% if on a brownfield site. Eligible projects – new development, redevelopment, or rehabilitation of commercial or mixed use (commercial/ residential) buildings that results in an increase in assessed value and property taxes   Grant paid annually once project complete, property has been reassessed and new property taxes paid. Grant payments cease when total of all grants equal cost of rehabilitation/ redevelopment project, or after 10 years, whichever comes first. Recommended that program be offered for 10 years.

Preliminary Incentive Programs 6. Environmental Site Assessment Grant Matching grant (50%) of study costs for a Phase II ESA, Designated Substances and Hazardous Materials Survey, Remedial Action Plan or Risk Assessment of up to: $12,000 per study; Maximum two (2) studies per project; Maximum $20,000 per project. Phase I ESA must show property is potentially contaminated Study must be on property that has potential for rehabilitation/ redevelopment. Recommended that program be offered for 5/+5 years.

Preliminary Incentive Programs Brownfields Property Tax Assistance Freeze or cancel municipal (Town and Region) and education (Provincial) property taxes for up to 3 years during remediation/ development or post development of a brownfield site. Eligible costs - Environmental studies, remediation, risk management and site monitoring Ministry of Finance approval required for education tax assistance. Recommended that program be offered for 10 years.

Next Steps May 3, 2011 Public Open House/Meeting Draft Public Realm Improvement Concept Draft Façade Design Guidelines Preliminary Incentive Programs Spring-Summer 2011 Prepare Draft CIP Revise Public Realm Improvement Concept and Incentive Programs based on input Prepare Draft Implementation Strategy & Draft CIP Summer 2011: Council Consideration & Adoption Circulate Draft CIP to MMAH & Prescribed Agencies Present Draft CIP at Statutory Public Meeting Council considers Adoption of CIP Adoption By-law

Discussion Workshop Which of the recommendations in the Draft Public Realm Improvement Concept do you think are most important? What changes or additions to the Draft Public Realm Improvement Concept would you like to see? Do you have any views on the proposed Commercial Façade Design Guidelines? Which of the proposed Preliminary Incentive Programs do you think are most important? What changes or additions to the proposed Preliminary Incentive Programs would you like to see?

Written Comments Please drop off, e-mail, fax, or mail any written comments on the material presented during the Public Open House by May 13, 2011 to: Kathleen Dale Director of Planning and Development Town of Lincoln 4800 South Service Road Beamsville, ON. L0R 1B1 Fax: 905-563-6566 E-mail: kdale@lincoln.ca