Councillors here will be proceeding with a plan to provide a financial incentive for local property owners to improve the downtown cores of Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston.
The plan, drafted by Sempski Kelly Associates Inc., this month deals with various ways to improve the downtowns.
No members of the public attended the meeting.
Mayor David Anderson said the public meeting was held to approve a proposed bylaw for the community improvement plan. Councillors reviewed the 77 page document as Minto economic development manager Belinda Wick-Graham gave them a brief overview of the project.
“The community improvement plan is an exciting document, but the presentation will not [be] so I apologize.”
“Basically this document will help encourage other people to invest in their buildings and storefronts.”
She explained other portion of the incentive program is in regards to brownfields (vacant or underutilized industrial and commercial properties that may be contaminated because of past use).
“We’re working to help redeveloped these sites.”
She said the programs apply only to areas designated “to provide incentives for businesses to enhance their buildings, to improve storefront signage, designs and paint schemes, and develop pride in our downtowns, contribute to the overall enhancement of the downtowns, to provide revitalization, and to provide a commitment July 1 … to Dec. 31, 2014.”
The first program was a facade improvement grant, which would have an annual budget of $12,000 available each year. Applicants could receive up to a maximum of $3,000 in 50:50 funding – with a limit of one application, per business, per year.
She cited examples of items that will and will not qualify for grants. Those applying must be registered or assessed owners or tenants of the land or buildings. An application is required, as well as two formal estimates, and the work must be completed within six months of approval.
Applications will be reviewed at the municipal office, but each of the downtown committees will review applications from their communities. The recommendations would come to council for final approval.
“We’re encourage the purchase of local products and services … and local business should be given first priority,” Wick-Graham said.
That will be part of the criteria. Further, the money is not received by the applicant until the work is done. The invoices are brought in and if the work matches the Building Code, the money will be paid, she said.
The sign improvement grant is $3,000 per year. She noted awnings could fall within the sign grant. The eligibility would be the same as for the facade grant.
Wick-Graham said the brownfield financial tax incentive program allow the municipality to provide tax assistance and the Ministry of Finance can provide an equal amount of assistance for the education portion of the tax bill.
She explained it provides for the exemption of a percentage for a period immediately following approval of the application and would continue through the period of rehabilitation and development.
She cited local efforts on brownfields with the Heritage Park in downtown Palmerston, on the former CN lands. Other than that, “We don’t have a lot of brownfields in the downtown areas.”
The benefits of dealing with them include a revitalization of the downtown cores, increased tax revenues by bringing businesses into those areas, creating jobs, and better use of existing buildings and a better perception of the community.
She noted the program is not retroactive.
The applicants must be in the designated area and have completed a phase two environmental assessment.
It applies only to properties that are contaminated as a result of previous industrial or commercial practices.
Only property owners can apply, and they must submit a development proposal, concept plan, and all information must be released to the town.
For the municipal portion, the town can freeze the taxes during the time landowners are working on the project. The project must also be approved by the Ministry of Finance to get similar relief for the education portion of the tax bill.
Minto would make the application to the ministry on the property owner’s behalf.
Wick-Graham also referred to another program that would, in the short term, offset tax increases as a result of increased assessments because of property improvements. If the assessment goes up because of the improvements, the individual would still pay 100% of the taxes, but for the first three years, the amount of the increase would be granted back.
She explained in the fourth year, 60% of the increase would be granted back, and in the fifth year, 40% would be granted back.
At the end of that time, Wick-Graham said the individual would pay the entire tax.
“For those wanting to improve their buildings, it provides a bit of a tax incentive.”
Wick-Graham said there is a lot of interest in these programs, and that she had already fielded a number of calls.
“A lot of people are wanting to get in on this,” she said.
She noted that if anyone on the downtown committees apply for these grants, those individuals will not be involved in the approval process.
