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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Recommended Project Area
Study Area
Recommended Project Area
Project Phase
Timeline

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

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

9. Public Realm Concept
(1) Entrances

10. Public Realm Concept
(2) Wayfinding

11. Public Realm Concept
(3) Intersections
Existing

12. Public Realm Concept
(4) Street Trees

13. Public Realm Concept
(5) Amenities
Existing

14. Public Realm Concept
(6) Mid-Block
Existing

15. Public Realm Concept
(7) Public Art
Existing

16. Public Realm Concept
(8) Parking Lot
Existing

17. Public Realm Concept
(9) Central Space

18. 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

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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Preliminary Incentive Programs
4. Residential Grant/Loan Program
Grant for cost of converting vacant or underutilized upper floor commercial space or constructing new residential $15 per sq.ft. to max. grant of $15,000 per unit/ max. of 4 units per property/project OR
$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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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

30. 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?

31. Written Comments
Please drop off, , 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: