It may seem odd that a meeting intended to stimulate the local economy drew only one person from the business community.
But on Nov. 5, Puslinch council held a public meeting and open house on its community improvement plan (CIP) – and Morriston business owner Bill Knetsch was the lone member of the public attending.
Mayor Dennis Lever noted the plan would come back to council at a later point for a decision.
Nancy Reid of Meridian Planning introduced the draft Our Corridor: Community Improvement Plan which has been underway for the past several months.
Reid said the CIP is a framework to improve, restore, redevelop and rehabilitate public and private properties within the municipality.
Having the CIP in place will allow the township to move forward and make use of Planning Act tools to provide financial incentives to businesses and landowners.
Reid said there have been a number of consultations within the community, from which numerous options were presented to councillors in June.
“Based on what we’ve heard from council and the stakeholders, we’ve prepared a draft CIP,” she said, noting the document is intended to integrate the area along Brock Road (Highway 6 south of Highway 401) into an integrated and transformed economic corridor.
She said the incentive programs of the CIP are meant to bring the community closer to the long-term vision where citizens can move around safely through a network of roads, paths and trails while being connected to the area’s unique rural heritage, way of life and local pride. Reid noted to qualify for funding, local projects must contribute to these goals in some fashion.
The area impacted by the CIP includes properties within the urban areas of Aberfoyle and Morriston, the Brock Road mixed-use industrial area and properties fronting Highway 6/Brock Road.
Reid noted these properties are primarily commercial and industrial. She said the area is limited to allow the project to be focused and not to water down what financial resources are available.
She noted there are a number of township-led programs, including: a strategy for county participation, zoning review, branding and marketing, streetscape and active transportation improvements, heritage conservation, parking needs study, and a festival and events strategy.
She said the local façade and sign improvements are generally quick, easy to see and can generate more applications in a “snowball” effect.
Other key components of the program are the financial incentives, which can include planning/building fee grants; façade, signs and landscape improvement grants; building improvement grants; building conversion and expansion grants; motor vehicle and bicycle parking grant; or tax increment equivalent grant program.
She stressed the incentives must contribute to achieving the CIP goals – not normal lifecycle maintenance.
In terms of moving forward, Reid said comments on the current draft will be reviewed and revisions made if needed. She anticipated council would be able to bring the final document forward for adoption and implementation early in 2016.
The program allows the municipality to use its resources to assist private landowners.
Mayor Lever added it is Wellington County looking at the idea of the tax incentive program. He noted “we’re new at this. We’re going to allocate some money and then try to figure out what the community wants.”
Reid said, “Frankly, we had positive feedback on everything. Based on the feedback this is a good starting point.”
Knetsch foresaw a very positive domino effect of improvements within the community. He added it would be up to individual landowners initiative to apply for this.
Reid said ultimately the priorities will be up to council as to what programs can be offered and when – based on financial resources.
Both council and Knetsch were surprised at the lack of turnout.
“I can’t believe I’m the only one here (from the public),” Knetsch said.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer asked whether the term “Our Corridor” was a working name for the CIP or something the township would live with forever. He believed a better name could be developed as part of a branding exercise.
Reid said the name is merely that of the CIP, but does not have to be the way the corridor is marketed.
Overall, Bulmer said he was pleased with the process and likes the idea of businesses being able to recover at least part of the costs incurred to improve their business.
“I wish we could do this everywhere in the township,” he said, adding the program recognizes the importance of businesses investing in the community.
Councillor Wayne Stokley asked how this fit into the budget process. He wondered if the general public could be involved to offer input as to where funding might flow.
Stokley favoured that approach rather than council making a decision, then asking the public if they like the decision.
Lever agreed the program needs to be flexible to meet the needs of what business people are looking for. However, he also pointed out part of the program is also an encouragement for businesses to invest in something which addresses the goals of the CIP project.
“But this early on in the process … we are pretty open.”
Councillor Susan Fielding appreciated seeing the process come together. “This is really great, to see this mesh together.”
Knetsch believed it is important to make more in the community aware there will be a CIP program that offers specific financial support to the business community.
A copy of the draft report can be accessed online through the township website at www.puslinch.ca.
