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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-040-08 CJ~-!lJglon REPORT PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Resolution: #GPA-255-08 / GPA-256-08 By-law #: Monday April 14, 2008 Date: Report #: PSD-040-08 File #: PLN 37.1 Subject: ORONO COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-040-08 be received; 2. THAT Staff be authorized to review and bring forward to a Public Meeting a proposed amendment to the Orono Community Improvement Plan to provide for Building Code Improvement Grants; and 3. THAT all interested parties listed in this report and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Submitted by: D id rome, .C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning Services Ro_by ~~ 1...t anklin Wu, -1v Chief Administrative Officer FL'DJC'sn April 8, 2008 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-040-08 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Council adopted the Orono Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and project area by By-law 2005-009 in March and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved the CIP with amendments on July 14, 2005. 1.2 The Community Improvement Plan allows the Municipality to provide incentives to business owners and property owners in the Orono Community Improvement Project Area (the Orono BIA boundary). 1.3 In addition to the grants program there are other works that the CI P has been a catalyst for, including brochures, wayfaring sign age, involvement in the Orono 175 celebrations and others. 1.4 The purpose of this report is to obtain Council approval to review the Orono CIP in regard to the grants that are available. 1.5 The process for amending a CIP is the same as an Official Plan amendment, the amendment will have to be made available in advance of a Public Meeting, advertised and circulated to commenting agencies; including the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as they were the approval authority at the time for the Orono CIP. 2.0 GRANT PROGRAM 2.1 Ex/st/no Grant Proaram There are a number of general rules within the grant program that are applicable to all grants and then there are specific rules for the different types of grants. We have encouraged applicants to take advantage of the free design service offered by the Planning Services Department for fa9ade improvements and development of visualizations. In all cases we have worked with applicants and inspected the buildings prior to the anticipated works. Grants are not released until the works are completed and the contractor paid. Property owners must be current with their tax payments. For properties that have multiple municipal street addresses or storefronts, each property owner is subject to an overall maximum of $45,000. . Build/no Facade Imorovement Grant This grant program is intended to assist property owners with the financing of building fa9ade improvements. The grant covers up to one half of the costs of the eligible work per building to a maximum of $5,000. . S/anaoe Imorovement Grant This grant program is intended to assist property owners with the financing of signage improvements. REPORT NO.: PSD-040-08 PAGE 3 2.2 Proposed Build/no Code Improvement Grant This grant program is intended to assist property owners with the financing of building improvements required to bring existing older buildings into compliance with the current Ontario Building Code. Eligible works include: . Installation of fire protection systems; . Relocation or installation of fire escapes; . Reinforcement of floors, ceilings and/or walls; . Required improvements to ventilation system; . Improvements for barrier-free accessibility; . Construction or alteration of required window opening for upper storey residential units; and . Other improvements, at the discretion of the Director of Planning Services, related to Building Code upgrades that address health and safety issues. 3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 Including a Building Code Improvement Grant for the Orono CIP would assist with the maintenance and improvement of the building stock, fire prevention and accessibility in Orono's downtown. There are at least 3 examples where the building code improvement grant could have belen applicable over the past 3 years of the CIP's implementation. 3.2 The Orono Community Liaison Group are in agreement with having this grant program reviewed and potentially added to the CIP. List of interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Orono Community Liaison Group