Improvement Stakeholder Workshop #2 Presentation July 9, 2015 Community Project Plan Puslinch

Presentation Overview Project Recap Work Completed to-date Key Findings/Conclusions Options for a Community Improvement Plan in Puslinch CIP Implementation Process Next Steps

What is a CIP? A plan or framework to improve, restore, redevelop, and rehabilitate public and private properties A revitalization “tool box” Allows a municipality to implement certain tools, such as providing grants and loans to businesses and landowners

What is a CIP? CIPs are legislated under the Planning Act: 1.A municipality must designate a Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) 2.A municipality may prepare a Community Improvement Plan for the CIPA 3.A municipality may then offer grants and loans to businesses and landowners for ‘eligible’ costs 4.Upper-tier municipalities may participate financially in lower-tier CIPs

Work Completed to-date Our work so far has involved a needs and opportunities assessment: –Tour of the study area –Review of background documents –Stakeholder workshop (May 13, 2015) –Community survey (May/June 2015) –Council feedback(June 17, 2015) A Phase One Options Memo (June 9, 2015) has been prepared to: –Provide a summary of findings –Determine where could tools apply –Identify options for further discussion A Presentation was made to Council to received feedback (June 17, 2015)

Aberfoyle –Heritage buildings –Natural Features –Connection to agricultural and rural surroundings –Aberfoyle Mill is a landmark –Specialty commercial uses with an existing niche in antiques and décor –Recreational and civic uses Morriston –Heritage buildings –Natural Features –Connection to agricultural and rural surroundings –Specialty commercial uses with popular restaurants –Recreational and open space uses Assets to build on: Key Findings Study Area Assessment

Assets to build on… Aberfoyle and Morriston: –Zoning could be updated –More parking opportunities –Overall physical condition of buildings and facades –Landscaping on private properties –Safer and more welcoming pedestrian environment –Linkages within and surrounding Aberfoyle and Morriston –Infrastructure for active transportation –Streetscaping and improvements to the public realm –Gateways and signage –A wider range of commercial uses Opportunities for Improvement: Key Findings Study Area Assessment

Assets to build on: –Strategic location –Heritage buildings –Few industrial eye-sores –Go Transit Park n’ Ride and future permanent GO station –Recent development activity Opportunities for improvement: –Landscaping on private properties –Outdoor storage could be screened from Brock Road Corridor –Physical condition and facades of some buildings –Streetscaping and improvements to the public realm –Gateways and signage –Linkages to Aberfoyle and Morriston Industrial/mixed-use corridor: Key Findings Study Area Assessment

1.There are a number of unique features and assets that should remain distinct and can be highlighted and built upon through improvements to both public and private property 2.There are also a number of needs that are common to all of the areas, which can be addressed in a coordinated manner in order to connect and promote one economic corridor 3.The existing Community Improvement Project Areas in the County Official Plan: a.are very large and include residential properties that are not along/adjacent to the corridor b.do not include all commercial, mixed-use, or industrial properties located along the corridor Key Findings Summary/Conclusions

Options for a CIP ‘Our Corridor’ a Potential Vision: Over the next 10 years ‘Our Corridor’ will be integrated and transformed into an attractive, prosperous, safe, and distinctive economic corridor. Residents and visitors will come to ‘Our Corridor’, to shop, eat, socialize, celebrate, play, and explore. They will be able to move around through a network of roads, paths, and trails. Our corridor will be a source of inspiration, heritage, rural character, and local pride.

Options for a CIP ‘Our Corridor’ Potential Goals: 1.Promote beautification and restoration of public and private property 2.Celebrate and restore built/cultural heritage and rural character 3.Attract new business development 4.Support and promote existing businesses 5.Encourage active transportation and enhance recreational opportunities 6.Provide attractive streetscapes and improved pedestrian environments.

Options for a CIP ‘Our Corridor’ Community Improvement Project Area Options A.Maintain the Existing Community Improvement Project Areas OR A.Amend the Existing Community Improvement Project Areas

Options for a CIP ‘Our Corridor’ Municipal Leadership Program Options: A.Strategy for County Participation in the CIP B.Zoning Review C.Marketing Strategy D.Heritage Conservation Initiatives E.Development of a Streetscape Strategy F.Parking Strategy G.Festivals and Events Strategy H.Implementation of the Urban Design Guidelines I.Implementation of the County Active Transportation Plan

A.Strategy for County Participation in the CIP –Explore the possibility of participation from Wellington County in ‘Our Corridor’ CIP –A working committee made up of Township and County staff could be organized to discuss options for County participation B.Zoning Review –Zoning review of the CIPA to ensure that the regulatory regime: o Conforms to the overall policy direction of the County’s OP o Is consistent with Township development objectives o Supports revitalization, renewal and the Township’s overall vision for each of the areas Options for a CIP Municipal Leadership

Municipal Leadership Program Options C.Marketing Strategy  Brand and market CIP and promote businesses, tourism and recreational activities  Focus on key community features such as unique heritage communities, high quality of life and strong appeal for businesses  Use of brochures, web-based resources, advertisements in local and regional newspapers D.Heritage Conservation Initiatives  Implement Heritage Property Tax Relief Program  Designate properties of cultural heritage interest or value  Initiate Heritage Conservation District Study

Municipal Leadership Program Options E.Development of a Streetscape Strategy  Establish a vision and conceptual designs for improvements to public landscapes and streetscapes which aims to: o Connect the main streets with other key areas in the Township o Support pedestrian and vehicular circulation o Improve amenities and public spaces * This initiative would build on on-going/completed initiatives F.Parking Study  Examine the need and options for additional parking including municipal, on-street and private off-street parking spaces

Municipal Leadership Program Options G.Festivals and Events Strategy  Create and hold festival events – aim for one per season  Serves as an economic stimulator to attract people to downtown and mainstreets H.Implementation of the Urban Design Guidelines  Implement existing 2010 Urban Design Guidelines as part of the review and evaluation of applications for financial incentives I.Implementation of County Active Transportation Plan  Implement active transportation routes as identified in the Plan (i.e., shared roadways, signed bicycle routes, and paved shoulders)

Options for a CIP ‘Our Corridor’ Financial Incentive Programs Options: A.Façade, Signage, and Landscaping Improvement Grant Program B.Building Improvement Grant Program C.Building Conversion and Expansion Grant Program D.Major Redevelopment/Revitalization Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Program E.Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Improvement Grant F.Planning and Building Permit Fees Rebate

Financial Incentive Program Options A.Façade, Signage, and Landscaping Improvement Grant Program –This program would assist with the financing of the following types of improvements to existing buildings on private property: o improvements to the façade or signage of the street fronting wall of a buildings, or a side/rear wall that is visible from a public street/public space or fronts onto a laneway or parking lot o improvements to the landscaping on the front yard of properties –For example the grant could cover 50% of the eligible costs of the façade, signage, and landscaping improvement to a maximum of $2,500. Examples of Eligible Projects: Restoration of original brick and stone Restoration or replacement of exterior lighting Exterior painting; Chemical or other façade cleaning Replacement of windows, doors and awnings Installation of new signage Addition of landscaping features (sod, trees, vegetation, permanent planters, walkways, etc.)

Financial Incentive Program Options B.Building Improvement Grant Program –This program would assist with the financing of physical improvements to existing buildings on private property that will: o upgrade the building to meet the current Building Code o improve aesthetic quality o provide for safe and usable eligible uses –For example the grant could cover 50% of the eligible costs of the building improvement to a maximum of $5,000. Examples of Eligible Projects: Structural repairs to walls, ceilings, floors, and foundations Interior restoration and design Repair/replacement/insta llation of building infrastructure, such as roofing, windows, and doors Repair/replacement/insta llation of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and fire protection systems Weatherproofing Improvements to accessibility for people with disabilities

Financial Incentive Program Options C.Building Conversion and Expansion Grant Program –This program would assist with the financing of: o the small-scale conversion of existing vacant space into new commercial, mixed-use, industrial space, and other eligible uses o the minor expansion of existing eligible uses to support growing businesses –For example the grant could be provided on the basis of $15 per square foot of converted or expanded floor space, to a maximum of $5,000. Examples of Eligible Projects: Conversion of existing commercial or vacant upper-floor space into a rental housing unit Conversion of non- commercial or vacant space into new commercial, mixed use, and other eligible uses Conversion of existing ground floor commercial space to better suit a new commercial use (e.g., retail to restaurant) Expansion of existing eligible uses to increase the gross floor area

Financial Incentive Program Options D.Major Redevelopment/Revitalization Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Program –This program would effectively defer part of the increase in property taxation as a result of a major redevelopment/revitalization project by: o Providing grants that are equivalent to a percentage of the resulting property tax increase following the reassessment of the property o The increase (‘increment’) is the difference between the former tax assessment (prior to improvements) and the new tax assessment (after improvements) –The grant could be equivalent to 50% of the municipal and/or County portion of the tax increase. –The grants could be provided for a period of 5 or 10 years Examples of Eligible Projects: The redevelopment of a property The restoration or improvement of an existing building The conversion of an existing building The expansion of a building that results in an increase to the gross floor area Infrastructure work including the improvement or reconstruction of existing on-site public infrastructure (water services, sanitary and storm sewer)

Financial Incentive Program Options E.Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Improvement Grant  This program would assist with the financing of: o improving existing motor vehicle parking and bicycle parking to increase the parking supply o adding new motor vehicle/bicycle parking to increase the parking supply  The grant may be equivalent to 50% of the eligible cost to a maximum of $2,000. Examples of Eligible Projects: Installation of new or replacement of existing outdoor bicycle parking racks Improvement to parking areas that result in an increase supply of parking spaces Repairs, improvements, repainting and repaving of existing driveways and parking areas

Financial Incentive Program Options F:Planning and Building Permit Fees Rebate –This program would provide a grant for a portion of the fees in relation to an improvement project required for: o planning applications o building permits o development charges –For example the grant could cover up 100% of the municipal portion of the eligible cost Examples of Eligible Costs: planning application fees including minor variances, site plans, zoning by- law amendments or official plan amendments building permit fees or change of use permits development charges

1.Are the potential Vision and Goals appropriate? 2.Is the proposed Community Improvement Project Area appropriate? 3.Should any of the Municipal Leadership Programs be included or omitted in the CIP? Should any others be considered? 4.Should any of the Financial Incentive Programs be included or omitted in the CIP? Should any others be considered? Options for a CIP

The CIP will identify eligibility criteria that must be met in order for an owner or tenant to be eligible for any of the programs, such as:  All proposed projects must be within the Community Improvement Project Area  All proposed projects must result in some level of improvement or rehabilitation over existing conditions  All proposed projects must contribute to achieving one or more CIP goals  Total value of grant cannot exceed the total value of eligible costs for a project  Financial incentives cannot be applied retroactively to works started prior to approval of applications  The property owner must have no outstanding property tax arrears Who is Eligible?

A CIP Implementation Committee would be responsible for implementing the CIP and reviewing applications for financial incentive programs. The following are the key steps of the CIP application and review process: Administration of a CIP Grant is Paid to Applicant Application Submitted to Committee Application Reviewed by Committee Committee makes decision Approved Applicant undertakes work/notifies Committee upon completion

Next Steps Additional Consultation on the Options: –Public Open House (tonight) Prepare a draft CIP document based on feedback (Summer 2015) Open House/Public Meeting (Fall 2015) Council Adoption (Fall 2015)

Thank you for your time and input! Any questions?