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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-22-83 c� 1v_� � 4 CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT T.T.EDWARDS,M.C.I.P.,Director HAMPTON,ONTARIO LOB 1JO TEL.(416)263.2231 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 7, 1983 REPORT NO. : PD-22-83 SUBJECT: ONTARIO NEIGHBOURHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (ONIP) 1983/84 PROGRAM YEAR OUR FILE: PLN 11 .5 RECOMMENDATION: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following : 1 . That Report PD-22-83 be received for information. BACKGROUND: On December 21st, 1982, the Town received an invitation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Community Renewal Branch, for submission of applications for funding under the Ontario Neighbourhood Improvement Program, 1983/84 Fiscal Year. Applications for such funds must be received by the Community Renewal Branch by no later than February 15th, 1983. d` Report No: PD-2.2-83 . . ./2 The Neighbourhood Improvement Program was originally introduced in 1974, and continued until 1978. During that period the Neighbourhood Improvement Program was funded jointly by Federal , Provincial and Municipal governments. In 1979 and 1980 the NIP Program was a component of the now cancelled Community Services Contribution Program. In February of 1981 , the Province of Ontario introduced a new Provincial /Municipal Program, referred to herein as "the Ontario Neighbourhood Improvement Program (ONIP)". Under this Program, cost sharing for neighbourhood improvements is equally divided fifty-fifty between the Province and the Municipality. The objectives of the Program are as follows: 1 . To encourage and assist municipalites in implementing a municipal improvement strategy. 2. To improve conditions in older, deteriorating but potentially stable and predominantly residential neighbourhoods occupied by low and moderate income households. 3. To assist municipalities in improving municipal services, public utilities and social and recreational facilities in eligible residential neighbourhoods. 4. To encourage investment in the rehabilitation of existing housing stock and new infill development by private and/or socially assisted housing. 5. To encourage energy conservation through energy efficient land use. Report No: PD-22-83 . . ./3 Although there are a number of municipal eligibility criteria, the most important of these are that the municipality have neighbourhoods which comply with the neighbourhood eligibility criteria; have an approved Official Plan in effect; have adopted a Property Maintenance and Occupancy Standards By-law; and have the financial and administrative capability to implement the redevelopment plan. With respect to neighbourhood eligibility criteria , for the purposes of the Program, a neighbourhood is defined as any area having boundaries relating to existing geographic, social , physical and functional features. To be eligible for assistance under the Program, the neighbourhood should have at least twenty-five percent (25%) of its housing stock in need of rehabilitation; exhibit deterioration or deficiency in certain municipal , recreational or social facilities; be composed of predominantly low and moderate income households; be predominantly residential and potentially stable in terms of continued residential land use and density. COMMENTS: As indicated in the background, to participate in the ONIP Program, the Municipality would be required to match any Provincial funds made available. In addition , it would require the Town to prepare a Redevelopment Plan; an item which has not been included in the Department 's 1983 Work Program, and in view of the 1983 budget guidelines and the present departmental workload, it would not appear that the Town would have the financial or administrative capability to get involved in the Program in the 1983/84 fiscal year. I I OC Report No: PD-2.2-83 . . ./4 Furthermore, given the time constraints for identifying areas in need of improvement, staff would be hard pressed to identify a particular neighbourhood or particular neighbourhoods which meet all of the Provincial eligibility criteria. We would therefore recommend that the Town of Newcastle not get involved in the Ontario Neighbourhood Improvement Program at the present time, and that this Report be received for information. Respect 1 itted, T. T. Edwards, M.C.I.P. Director of Planning TTE*mjc January 25, 1983 i I