HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-019-13 Clarington REPORT
PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: March 18 , 2013 Resolution#: &A190-13 By-law#:
Report#: PSD-019-13 File#: PLN 34.2.24
Subject: HERITAGE INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PSD-019-13 be received;
2. THAT the Heritage Incentive Grant Program, as outlined in Attachment 2, be
approved for heritage properties designated under Part IV (Individual) and Part V
(District) of the Ontario Heritage Act; and
3. THAT all interested parties listed in Report PSD-019-13 be advised of Council's
decision.
Submitted by: Reviewed by,':,,_
Davi . Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu,
Director of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer
KK/FL/DJC/sn/df
6 March 2013
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379
REPORT NO.: PSD-019-13 PAGE 2
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 Clarington's built heritage is an important part of the urban and rural fabric of the
Municipality. Heritage properties within the Municipality contribute to the
economic wellbeing of Clarington's downtowns and provide a charm which draws
visitors to the Municipality and ensures the historic character of Clarington is not
lost while we expand and grow into the 21St century.
1.2 The Ontario Heritage Act allows municipalities to designate properties of "cultural
heritage value or interest". Currently there is no requirement under the Act for an
owner to carry-out restoration, typically restorations are carried out by owners as
part of their pride of ownership. It is well known that heritage properties can be
more costly to restore and maintain than newer buildings.
1.3 In 2005, the Ontario Heritage Act was amended to include heritage grant and tax
relief programs under Section 39. Section 107 of the Municipal Act allows for
grant and incentive programs under certain circumstances, heritage being one of
the instances. Many municipalities throughout Ontario have implemented
heritage incentive grants and tax-relief programs. In Durham Region, Ajax,
Whitby, and Oshawa have implemented programs (see Attachment 1).
1.4 During the 2013 budget deliberations Council approved the budget allocation
necessary to set up a heritage grant program. This purpose of Report PSD-019-
13 is to set out the conditions for the grant program.
2. DISCUSSION
2.1 The majority of heritage designations in Clarington occurred when the Provincial
Government provided a heritage grant program in the 1980's and early 1990's,
indicating that the community is receptive to protecting and enhancing cultural
heritage when incentives are available.
2.2 Since most of the designations took place at this time, many of Clarington's
designated buildings are on their second or third owner since designation. The
lack of an incentive program, coupled with the economic conditions, means that
some buildings are slipping into disrepair or that owners are choosing to carry out
renovations not in keeping with the original character of the building, others have
inquired about removing their designation.
2.3 Heritage property owners in the older downtowns of Bowmanville, Newcastle,
and Orono, within the Community Improvement Program (CIP) boundaries, have
used the CIP grant programs to carry out building code upgrades and fagade
enhancements. However, there has been no funding available for designated
heritage property owners outside the CIP boundaries.
2.4 A Heritage Incentive Grant program, rather than a tax rebate program has been
recommended for Clarington for the following reasons:
REPORT NO.: PSD-019-13 PAGE 3
• Uptake for the CIP grants have proven immensely successful in stimulating
heritage sensitive renovations and improvements, improving the vibrancy of
the older downtown cores.
• Given Clarington's large inventory of designated heritage properties in
relation to other nearby municipalities, a cost analysis has demonstrated that
a heritage tax rebate program would be more costly than administering a
grant program and that the costs would not necessarily translate into
improvements to the heritage building stock.
• Other municipalities in Durham have indicated limited uptake of tax rebate
programs since they require heritage conservation easement agreements to
be entered into by the owner which is onerous for both the property owners,
and the municipality. Additionally the Region of Durham could offer a
matching program, however they have indicated that they will only do so if all
lower-tier municipalities participate which is highly unlikely.
3. COMMENTS
3.1 The Clarington Heritage Committee (CHC) is supportive of a heritage grant
program which aids in the preservation and upkeep of designated heritage
properties. Committee members prefer a grant program rather than a tax relief
program as the grant funding directly impacts the upkeep of the building. In the
case of the heritage tax relief, there is no requirement for the owner to carry out
restoration, refurbishment or maintenance to receive the tax relief once the
conservation easement is in place.
3.2 Comments received from property owners indicate a reluctance to apply for
heritage designation based on the potential for increased financial costs involved
in restoring and maintaining a designated property. The availability of the
Heritage Incentive Grant may provide a further impetus for property owners to
apply for Heritage Designation.
3.3 In discussion with other municipalities that provide heritage incentive grants, it is
clear that the program's effectiveness relates directly to its ease of application.
Programs that require a number of steps may be underutilized and not achieve
the desired goal of preserving and enhancing built heritage.
3.4 The proposed Heritage Incentive Grant program (Attachment 2) has been
modeled on the programs implemented in Clarington's Community Improvement
Programs. The Heritage Incentive Grant will be administered and regulated as a
separate entity from the CIP grants; though many of the rules would be similar.
3.5 An initial budget of$5,000 has been approved for this initiative. It is anticipated
that funds not allocated in any given year would accrue and be available in future
years.
REPORT NO.: PSD-019-13 PAGE 4
3.6 An annual report will be compiled by Planning Services detailing the
effectiveness of the program, and the uptake of funding, similar to the CIP
reports.
4. CONCURRENCE
4.1 This report has been reviewed by the Director of Finance.
5. CONCLUSION
5.1 Council's approval of the seed funding for the Heritage Incentives Grant Program
demonstrates Clarington's desire to highlight and preserve the unique cultural
and architectural heritage within our urban and rural areas. Funding for this
program will `fill in the gap' between improvement funding for our downtowns
through the CIPs, and funding of our designated heritage assets which fall
outside of the CIP areas.
5.2 It is recommended that the Heritage Incentive Grant Program (outlined in
Attachment 2) be approved.
CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN
The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the
following priorities of the Strategic Plan:
X Promoting economic development
Maintaining financial stability
Connecting Clarington
Promoting green initiatives
Investing in infrastructure
X Showcasing our community
Not in conformity with Strategic Plan
Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid, Manager, Special Projects
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Table detailing Heritage Incentive Programs adopted by other municipalities
Attachment 2 - Clarington Heritage Incentive Grant, Information and Program Rules
Interested parties to be notified of Council's decision:
Clarington Heritage Committee
Julia Fielding, Clarington Museum and Archives
Tracey Ali, ACO Clarington Branch
Attachment 1
To Report PSD-019-13
OTHER MUNICIPAL HERITAGE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Municipality Amount Pro ram Type Additional Details
Toronto $10,000 maximum 50% matching Grant
(residential)
Ottawa $5,000 maximum 50% Matching Grant
Mississauga $5,000-$10,000 50% Matching Grant $5000 maximum for
maximum work on heritage
attributes; $10,000
maximum for structural
work
Hamilton $20,000 maximum 50% Matching Grant Grant is for commercial
(commercial) heritage improvement
and restoration only
Brampton $5,000 maximum 50% Matching Grant
(residential)
Kitchener $500 to $3,000 50% Matching Grant
maximum
St. Catherines $1,000 maximum 50% Matching Grant
Cambridge $5,000 maximum 50% Matching Grant
Kingston $2,000 maximum 50% Matching Grant
Niagara on the $5,000 to $20,000 50% Matching Grant $5000 maximum for
Lake maximum residential; $20000
maximum for
commercial
Ajax 10% tax rebate Tax Relief Program
Whitby 40% tax rebate Tax Relief Program
Oshawa 40% tax rebate Tax Relief program
Port Hope $25,000 total annual 50% Matching Grant Will fund up to 5
funding projects each year
Cobourg $15,000 per project Loan Program
per property
Sault Ste. Marie $3,000 maximum 2/3 of eligible costs
Attachment 2
To Report PSD-019-13
HERITAGE INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
The Heritage Incentive Grant Program is intended to assist properties designated under
the Ontario Heritage Act (2005) Part IV and V with financing the cost of repairs and
restoration of a designated heritage property. A grant will cover up to 50% of the costs
of the eligible work per building to a maximum of$2000 for exterior work, or$1000 for
interior work maximum of$3000 per property owner.
General Application Information
A complete application for eligible works must be submitted by the registered property
owner in conjunction with an application for Alteration under the Ontario Heritage Act
(where required).
Applications for work already commenced or completed will not be considered.
Municipal and other government or agency owned properties are not eligible for this
grant.
Property taxes must not be in arrears at the time of the application and at the time of
project completion.
All work must be done pursuant to building permits (if required), constructed in
accordance with the Ontario Building Code, and meet all applicable planning approvals
and zoning requirements.
Approval of a Heritage Incentive Grant will be by the Director of Planning Services or
designate. Should the heritage incentive grant require an application under the Ontario
Heritage Act, approval will only be given once a positive recommendation from the
Clarington Heritage Committee is received and endorsed by Council.
Grants will be administered on a first come first served basis, however, priority will be
given to applications that are addressing designated heritage features. In any given
year, grants will be limited to the available funding.
A project will be eligible, provided the property is not currently receiving other grants or
tax incentives from the Municipality of Clarington.
Grants shall only be paid to the owner once municipal staff have inspected the
completed eligible work and is satisfied that the work has been performed in
accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act and any other recommended guidelines.
Area of Application
The Heritage Incentive Grant program is available to all registered property owners of
Designated Heritage Properties, and all registered property owners within the Beech
Avenue Heritage Conservation District in the Municipality of Clarington. Designated
heritage property owners within Community Improvement Program area boundaries will
be directed to apply for grants under those programs.
Eligible Works
Eligible works include as a first priority:
• the conservation of existing heritage elements listed in the designating by-law; and
• the reconstruction of existing heritage features that are beyond repair or
conservation.
Eligible works as a second priority:
• the accurate reproduction of significant features which no longer exist, but for which
clear documentation is available. The reproduction of significant features may
include, but is not limited to:
• Repair or restoration of the exteriors of buildings including roofs, verandas,
windows, doors, and masonry; and
• Restoring/repairing original windows
• Work necessary to restore the building to structural soundness (e.g. the repair of
serious structural faults that threaten the building's survival; underpinning of building
structures; repair/new roofs), but not including structural work to accommodate
modern renovations and additions;
• Repair of mortar (exterior); and
• Other improvements of a similar nature to the building exterior or interior as
approved by the Director of Planning Services.
Ineligible projects include:
• Insulation;
• The replacement of knob and tube electrical wiring with modern wiring/electrical
systems;
• Landscaping;
• Unnecessary or damaging exterior cleaning such as sandblasting;
• Structural works to the exterior of buildings to accommodate modern renovations
such as additions and new doors and windows (unless original and of heritage
significance);
• Short term repair work; and
• Maintenance, such as painting.
Application Process
1. Contact the Planning Services Department to determine if your property is eligible
for the grant.
2. Submit a completed Heritage Incentive Grant Application Form to the Planning
Services Department of the Municipality of Clarington. Application must contain the
following:
a. Description of eligible works
b. Cost estimate of the works to be undertaken including a minimum of two
quotations from qualified contractors for undertaking the eligible works. Cost
estimate should indicate a breakdown of items, description of works to be
performed, etc.
c. Colour photos of the current state of significant heritage features to be
improved
d. Drawings or photos detailing the proposed improvement works (Note:
Drawings prepared by a Professional Engineer or Architect may be required if
significant structural and/or architectural improvements are proposed)
3. Applications will be reviewed by the Planning Services Department and the
Clarington Heritage Committee (CHC) if a heritage alternation permit is required.
The property owner will be notified and encouraged to attend the CHC meeting
where their application is being reviewed in order to answer any questions that may
arise. The applicant will also be advised if any building permits or other approvals
are required for the proposed works. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to
ensure that the appropriate permits are obtained in order to be eligible to receive the
funding.
4. Prior to the approval of a Heritage Incentive Grant, municipal staff may request an
inspection of the building to review the condition of the feature and the proposed
work. Prior to issuing a decision, further drawings, cost estimates or other
information may be requested.
5. 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 Heritage
Incentive Grant. A letter will be issued from the Municipality to the applicant
representing a commitment and will be valid for a period of 6 months. The Director,
at his discretion, may provide an extension of 6 months.
6. Staff from the Planning Services Department (and in some cases the Clarington
Heritage Committee) will conduct an inspection to ensure the works are in keeping
with the intent of the drawings and materials as originally approved. In the event that
the heritage improvements do not match the drawings, materials, or intent of the
original application, approval may be withdrawn without appeal.
7. Following satisfactory inspections of the work and the receipt of invoices from the
applicant, a grant cheque will be issued to the property owner for the full amount of
the approved funding providing that the property owner is not in tax arrears and has
finalized all building permits and necessary inspections.
8. The property owner is obligated to take proper actions to maintain the refurbished
heritage features to the satisfaction of the Municipality.
9. Future modifications that change the integrity of the features appearance are subject
to'the approval of the Municipality and may be denied if they are contrary to the
heritage designation.
Questions should be directed to Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects, at the
Clarington Planning Services Department at 905-623-3379 Ext. 2407, or the Municipal
Administrative Centre at 40 Temperance Street 3rd Floor, Bowmanville.
fangmaid a clarington.net