Item - 2018.PG31.6

The Planning and Growth Management recommends that:

1. City Council approve the by-law in Attachment 1 to the report (June 12, 2018) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, containing a Community Improvement Plan to enable the Commercial/Industrial Façade and Property Improvement Program.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any stylistic and technical changes to the draft by-law as may be required before introducing the necessary bill to City Council for enactment.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, as part of the 2019 Capital Budget submission, to request an increase to the budget for the Commercial Façade Improvement Program through reallocation within current debt target provisions.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee held a statutory public meeting on July 5, 2018, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report brings forward amendments to the Commercial Façade Improvement Program and applicable Community Improvement Plan (CIP) in order to:

-  eliminate the five-year wait period for Business Improvement Area (BIA) program eligibility;
-  expand the types of eligible improvements to provide greater incentive to industrial properties and commercial strip plazas;
-  increase the individual maximum grant value from $10,000 to $12,500;
-  offer additional financial support for single-owner strip plazas and adjoining properties; and provide an additional financial incentive for improvements that achieve AODA compliance.
 

The program has been a cost-effective way to improve the attractiveness and economic viability of the city's traditional main streets. The amendments proposed in this report will help to achieve similar results in commercial strip plazas and industrial properties more typical of the inner suburbs and industrial areas.