Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-003If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Co-ordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131 The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington By -Law Number 2018- 003 Being a By-law to adopt Orono Community Improvement Plan Amendment No. 2 Whereas by By-law No. 2005-038, as amended by By-law No. 2008-112 Council designated the Orono community improvement project area pursuant to subsection 28(2) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended; And whereas Council by By-law No. 2005-039 as amended by By-law 2008- 112 approved the community improvement plan prepared for the Orono community improvement project area pursuant to Council's direction; And whereas subsection 28(5) of the Planning Act authorizes Council to pass a by-law for the adoption of an amendment to a Community Improvement Plan for a community improvement project area; Now therefore the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows: 1. That the Orono Community Improvement Plan is amended in accordance with Schedule "A" of this by-law. 2. That this By-law shall come into force and take effect on the date of the passing hereof. By-law passed in open Council this 15th day of January, 2018 4�v' Adrian' r, Mayor Schedule "A" Amendment Number: 2 to the Orono Community Improvement Plan Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to update the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and revise the grant program. Location: Orono Community Improvement Plan covers the downtown of Orono. The boundary for the CIP was amended in June 2008. Basis: The Amendment is based upon a thorough review of progress made, the success of the grant program, plus the desire of the merchants and property owners to make additional improvements to their buildings which also meet the criteria of being a public benefit. The recommendations emerged from a consultation process with the Orono CIP liaison group, the survey of past grant recipients and ongoing review of best practices. Actual Amendment: This Amendment sets out a series of changes to Section 4 and 5 and Appendix 4 of the Community Improvement Plan. Section 4 4.3 Streetscape Improvements ADD as the second paragraph In 2006 new railings were installed on the east side of Main Street, poles for banners and hanging baskets were installed in 2007. When Centreview sidewalk was reconstructed poles were included as part of the streetscape improvements. 4.4 Parking DELETE the third and fourth paragraph and REPLACE with Parking was further studied in 2006, when the former Mercer's Garage property was offered to the Municipality. At the time Council chose not to fund the acquisition and parking lot development. When the Land Acquisition Strategy was updated in 2007 no property was identified for parking in Orono. Again in 2009/10 the need for parking was reviewed when the property next to the CIBC came available for purchase. At Council's request in May of 2015, Engineering Services staff completed an update to the downtown Orono parking needs, inventory and provided recommendations. The recommendation as per Report EGD-002-16 were: "That agreements between business owners be formalized to provide off-street private shared parking for employees as well as patrons and customers where possible and the Municipality continue to provide parking enforcement to assist with long term parking violators." 4.5 Housing Growth DELETE the third and fourth sentences and REPLACE with During the process of the CIP the introduction of the Greenbelt Legislation and Orono's identification as a hamlet by the Province rather than an urban area left Orono with limited options for housing growth. ADD as the second and third paragraphs As part of the Clarington Official Plan review which was approved by Council in November 2016, a request to expand the urban boundary was included. In June 2017, the Region of Durham refused the Orono Urban Area boundary expansion. Orono is considered an Urban Area under the Provincial Growth Plan and as a result, Urban Boundary expansions must first occur through a Regional Official Plan Amendment process. While the Region has refused the expansion, it has recognized that an expansion may be explored through the next comprehensive review of the Durham Region Official Plan. Additional policies were added to the local Official Plan in support of Orono's request. Orono is recognized as Special Study Area No. 5. 4.8 Commercial Opportunities ADD as third and fourth paragraphs. The addition of the Orono Employment Lands was included in the Clarington Official Plan (Nov.2016). However, this inclusion has been appealed to the OMB by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. In 1993, the Province deferred the approval of the proposed industrial designation on the east side of 35/115 in Orono. This area currently includes Ell -Rod Custom Millwork. The Region will be requesting the Province lift this deferral coincident with the approval of the appealed sections of OPA 107 by the OMB. ADD Section 4.10 Economic Development Strategy The Clarington Board of Trade in partnership with the BIA and Municipality have applied to the Rural Economic Development Fund for matching funding for the development of an economic strategy for Orono. The development of this strategy will provide guidance and community support to initiate projects that will lead to overturn the decline in population and closing of small businesses in the downtown of this small rural community. The Economic Development Strategy will also implement Council Policies contained in the recently adopted Clarington Official Plan. Section 5 5.1.2 Fagade Improvement Program REPLACE ...a grant for up to $10,000 5.1.3 Upgrade To Building Code Program REPLACE ...a grant for up to $10,000 ADD 5.1.5Accessibility Grant Program The Municipality of Clarington may provide a grant for up to $10,000 or 50% of the cost of accessibility improvements within the Orono CIP project area, providing that the accessibility enhances access to businesses. DELETE "CAPITAL" in the title DELETE Sections 5.2.1 Parking, 5.2.2 Streetscape Works and 5.2.3 Economic Development and RENUMBER the remaining sections. ADD 5.2.3 Economic Development The Clarington Board of Trade in partnership with the BIA and Municipality have applied to Rural Economic Development Fund to provide matching funding for a consultant to work with the community on an economic development strategy. ADD In Section 5.3 as the second and third sentence in the first paragraph This Community Improvement Plan will be reviewed after a 10 year period to assess if the Plan has met its goals and objectives. Suggested changes may be considered by way of minor change or formal amendment. Appendix 4 1.0 Signage Grant Program DELETE under General Terms of Grant Program, in the first sentence ..."one time"...ADD as the final sentence Each business owner can receive a signage grant once in a 10 year period. 1.1 Fagade Improvement Grant Program General Terms of Grant Program CHANGE the dollar value in the first sentence to $10,000 ADD as the second sentence Each property address can receive a facade grant once in a 10 year period. Work Already Commenced DELETE the paragraph and REPLACE with The Fagade Improvement Grant Program will not be retroactively applied to works started prior to application and approval. 1.2 Upgrade to Building Code Grant Program General Terms of Grant Program CHANGE the dollar value in the first sentence to $10,000 ADD as the third sentence Each property address can receive an upgrade to building code grant once in a 10 year period. ADD 1.4 Accessibility Grant Program This grant program is intended to assist property owners with the financing of improvements required to bring older buildings into greater compliance. Area of Application The Accessibility Grant Program is available to all registered property owners or commercial tenants with a signed consent form for the improvements within the Community Improvement Project Area for the Municipality of Clarington as shown on Schedule A. Eligible works include: • Installation of hand railings on steps • Elimination of steps and/or provision of a ramp • Widening of doorways and thresholds to accommodate accessibility devices • Installation of automatic door openers, • Changing door knobs to levers • Washroom renovations (i.e. grab bars, raised toilets) Other improvements, at the discretion of the Director of Planning Services and in consultation with the Accessibility Co-ordinator that address accessibility issues Eligibility for Grant The applicants for the Accessibility Grant Program must be the registered owner(s) of the property or commercial tenants with a lease agreement that extends a minimum of 2 years beyond the approval of the grant. Municipal staff will conduct a title search of the property and review property tax records. Property owners who are in arrears of property taxes are not eligible to receive the grant. The provision of any Accessibility Grant Program will be administered on first come first served basis to the limit of available funding in accordance with any administrative rule governing this and other grant programs. General Terms of Grant The grant covers up to 50% of the costs of the eligible work per building to a maximum of $10,000 per municipal street address or storefront, subject to an overall maximum of $45,000 per property owner for a building with multiple street addresses or storefronts. The grants will be provided at the discretion of the Director of Planning Services. Other Programs Provided all eligibility criteria and conditions are met for this program, participation in the Accessibility Grant Program does not preclude the owner from being eligible for other grant programs offered under the Community Improvement Plan. However, at no time shall the total amount of grants provided to a property owner exceed $45,000. Procedures Grant Application Submitted The applicant is required to submit a completed application form to the Director of Planning Services for approval. The application will include a copy of the work to be completed including drawings detailing the proposed improvement works. This may require drawings to be prepared by a Professional Engineer or Architect. 2. Description of Eligible Works and Submission of Quotations The Accessibility Program application will include a description of the eligible works and an estimate of the works to be undertaken. The estimate shall be supported by a minimum of two estimates from qualified contractors for undertaking the eligible works and shall be consistent with the cost estimate indicated on the accompanying building permit application. The cost estimate should indicate a breakdown of items, description of works to be performed, etc. The grant will be provided on the basis of the cost of the actual works not to exceed the 50% limitation and the maximum of $10,000. 3. Inspection of Building Prior to approving an Accessibility Grant, Municipal staff may inspect the building to review the conditions and the proposed improvement. A subsequent inspection may be done during the work. 4. Decision of Director of Planning Services The final decision as to how much of the proposed work, if any, is eligible for funding under the Accessibility Grant Program will be made by the Director of Planning Services or designate. Prior to issuing a decision, the Director may request further drawings, cost estimates or other information. 5. Expiry of Approval If all eligibility criteria and conditions are met and funds are available in the Grant fund, the Director of Planning Services or designate will approve the grant. A letter from the Director to the applicant will represent a commitment and will be valid for a period of 6 months. The Director at his discretion may provide extensions. However, if the improvements do not match the drawings, materials or intent of the original approval, approval may be withdrawn. 6. Inspection of Completed Work Staff will conduct an inspection of the completed work. Staff from the Planning Services Department will confirm the works are in keeping with the intent of the drawings and materials as originally approved. 7. Provision of Grant Following satisfactory inspections of the work and the receipt of invoices from the applicant the grant cheque will be issued providing that the property owner is not in tax arrears. The grant will be advanced to the applicant only upon completion of works and progress payment will not be made 8. Maintenance The property owner and grant recipient is obligated to take proper actions to maintain the improvements to the satisfaction of the Municipality. Future modifications that change the integrity of the improvements are subject to the approval of the Municipality (at building permit time) and may be denied if they diminish the investment made by the Municipality. Implementation: The provisions set forth in the Community Improvement Plan as amended, regarding the implementation of the Plan shall apply in regard to this Amendment. Interpretation: The provisions set forth in the Community Improvement Plan as amended, regarding the interpretation of the Plan shall apply in regard to this Amendment.