Downtown Shoulder Area Community Improvement Plan Investing in our Community
The Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan consists of the following: PART A - The preamble which does not constitute part of the actual Community Improvement Plan but is included for reference. PART B - The actual Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan consisting of text and Exhibit No. 1 which identifies the lands to which the Community Improvement Plan applies. PART C - Appendix No. 1 which does not constitute part of the actual Community Improvement Plan but is included for reference. Adopted by Oshawa City Council on October 2, 2006 Approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on December 29, 2006 with modifications.
Table of Contents Part A Preamble... 1 1.0 Introduction... 2 1.1 Community Improvement in Oshawa... 2 1.2 Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area Boundaries... 3 1.3 Community Improvement Plan Preparation... 3 2.0 Background Information... 5 2.1 Existing Land Use Pattern... 5 2.2 Places to Grow... 5 2.3 Downtown Oshawa Action Plan... 7 2.4 Oshawa Official Plan... 7 2.5 Zoning By-Law No. 60-94... 9 2.6 Population... 10 3.0 Problems and Deficiencies... 12 3.1 Economic Indicators... 12 3.2 Building Conditions... 12 3.3 Potential Solutions... 12 4.0 Community Improvement Plan Budget... 13 4.1 Funding Sources... 13 Part B Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan... 14 5.0 Community Improvement Plan... 15 5.1 Goals and Objectives... 15 5.2 Grant Programs... 15 5.3 Duration... 21 5.4 Monitoring... 21 6.0 Implementation... 21 7.0 Interpretation... 22 PART C Appendix... 23 Note: Sections 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 and Exhibit No. 1 constitute the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan as adopted by By-law No. 138-2006 pursuant to Section 28 (4) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13. Other sections of this document are provided for information purposes only....
Part A Preamble Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 1
1.0 Introduction 1.1 Community Improvement in Oshawa The City of Oshawa has a rich history of involvement in efforts to improve individual communities. Urban renewal initiatives were identified as early as the 1960 s as City policy following the completion of a 1968 study by Murray V. Jones and Associates entitled Urban Renewal Study: City of Oshawa. The City subsequently participated in the Neighbourhood Improvement Program (NIP), a joint initiative of Federal and Provincial governments. This participation resulted in $2.43 million in grants from the senior levels of government in order to undertake much needed upgrades within mature residential areas of the City. The Federal government ended their participation in NIP in 1980. The Ontario Neighbourhood Improvement Program (ONIP) was subsequently established by the Province of Ontario and offered 50% funding for municipal improvement projects. In the early to mid 1980 s, the City of Oshawa received ONIP grants totaling $800,000. NIP and ONIP provided valuable funding assistance for improvements to municipally owned properties. Financial assistance to residential properties was available through the Ontario Home Renewal Program (OHRP) and continues to be available through a variety of programs including the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) and the Provincial Sales Tax Grant for Builders. In March 1985, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved new Community Improvement policies for the City of Oshawa as an amendment to the Official Plan for the former Oshawa Planning Area. These policies were subsequently incorporated into the Oshawa Official Plan in June of 1985 and provided the basis for the continued improvement of Oshawa s communities, including continued participation in Provincial programs. In 1986, the Province established a revised improvement program known as the Program for Renewal, Improvement, Development and Economic Revitalization (PRIDE). This program broadened the range of land uses eligible for financial assistance and included commercial, industrial and mixed-use areas. In January 1987, the City of Oshawa prepared a PRIDE plan and submitted an application for shared funding from the Province for lands generally comprising the Central Business District and the former Fittings site. The Minister allocated a grant of $375,000 to the City, an amount that was matched by City Council in September of 1987. The funds were spent on parkette development, decorative street lighting and parking lot beautification among other matters. In 1989, the City received and matched a provincial grant of $350,000 under the PRIDE program for an area south of the Central Business District, extending to Highway 401, between Simcoe Street South and the Oshawa Creek/Cubert Street. A Community Improvement Plan was approved and implemented improvements to local community centres, the Oshawa Creek bicycle trail and street tree planting. In December of 1990, the City submitted a third application for PRIDE funding and received and matched a Provincial grant of $200,000. The funds were earmarked for use in the Bloor Street corridor to undertake sidewalk improvements, road Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 2
reconstruction, aesthetic improvements, and improvements to parks and recreational facilities. In July of 2001, the City of Oshawa adopted the Central Business District Renaissance Community Improvement Plan. This Community Improvement Plan contains four grant programs and three loan programs and is intended to revitalize Oshawa s Central Business District. This Community Improvement Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in October of 2001. In July of 2003, the City of Oshawa adopted the Simcoe Street South Renaissance Community Improvement Plan. This Community Improvement Plan contains a façade improvement loan program and a streetscape improvement program. The Simcoe Street South Renaissance Community Improvement Plan is intended to encourage private sector re-investment in the Simcoe Street South corridor. This Community Improvement Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in November of 2003. In December of 2005, the City of Oshawa adopted the Brownfields Renaissance Community Improvement Plan. This Community Improvement Plan encourages the rehabilitation and reuse of contaminated lands through study grants, tax cancellations and redevelopment grants. This Community Improvement Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in May of 2006. 1.2 Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area Boundaries The boundaries of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan are shown on Exhibit No. 1. These boundaries are based on the recommendations of the Downtown Oshawa Action Plan, prepared by the consulting team of Marshall Macklin Monaghan and Davies Howe Partners and excludes Downtown Shoulder Area lands included in the Central Business District Renaissance Community Improvement Plan. City Council adopted, in principle, the Downtown Oshawa Action Plan on July 18, 2005. The existing land use and other background information pertaining to the Downtown Shoulder Area Community Improvement Area are described in Section 2.0. 1.3 Community Improvement Plan Preparation The Community Improvement Plan as contained in Sections 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 of this document has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13. Stakeholder input was obtained from a number of property owners and business interests through a statutory public meeting held in accordance with Section 17 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13. The statutory public meeting was advertised in a local newspaper. The statutory public meeting was held on August 28, 2006, to explain the program and receive feedback. A copy of the statutory public meeting notice forms Appendix No. 1. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 3
Exhibit No. 1 Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 4
2.0 Background Information 2.1 Existing Land Use Pattern The existing land use pattern in the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area is shown on Exhibit No. 2. The breakdown of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area by land use type is shown on Table No. 1. Table No. 1: Land Use Type by Area Land Use Hectares % of Total Commercial 23.3 28.8 Vacant 20.3 25.2 Residential 20.3 25.2 Institutional/Government 6.2 7.7 Utility/Transportation/Communication/Special 4.8 5.9 Purpose/Community Parks, Open Space and Recreation 4.4 5.5 Industrial 1.4 1.7 Total 80.7 100 Source: Oshawa Land Information, 2006 The Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area contains retail, office, service and institutional uses concentrated along the periphery of the Central Business District. 2.2 Places to Grow On June 13, 2005, the Province passed The Places to Grow Act, 2005 which provides the legal framework necessary for the Province to designate a geographic area as a growth plan area and subsequently to develop a growth plan for that area. On June 16, 2006, the Province released the final Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe for public review and comment. Key implications of the Growth Plan for the City of Oshawa are: Downtown Oshawa is identified as an urban growth centre; and Downtown Oshawa will be required to be planned to achieve, by 2031 or earlier, a minimum growth density target of 200 residents and jobs combined per gross hectare in the urban growth centre. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 5
Exhibit No. 2 Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 6
2.3 Downtown Oshawa Action Plan On July, 18, 2005, City Council considered the Downtown Oshawa Action Plan prepared by the consulting team of Marshall Macklin Monaghan and Davies Howe Partners and adopted a multi-part resolution that included the following: That the Downtown Oshawa Action Plan be adopted in principle. The Downtown Oshawa Action Plan contains the following eight objectives, each with their own set of priority actions: Walkable Scale Welcoming Environment for Development A Safe Place to Live, Work and Play Financially Viable Development Enhancing Public Spaces Visible Signs of Change Promoting a Positive Image; and Leadership to Make it Happen. 2.4 Oshawa Official Plan 2.4.1 Land Use Designations The Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area is located within the Main Central Area as delineated in the Oshawa Official Plan. The Main Central Area serves as the dominant Central Area in Durham Region, has a specific emphasis on office, business and administrative services and also serves as the focal point of the public transportation system. The Oshawa Official Plan land use designations for the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area are shown on Exhibit No. 3. The southern boundary of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area is based on the John Street East extension as designated on Schedule B Transportation in the Oshawa Official Plan. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 7
Exhibit No. 3 Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 8
2.4.2 Community Improvement Policies The Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area is shown as part of the Community Improvement Area delineated on Schedule C-1 Renaissance Community Improvement Area of the Oshawa Official Plan. Section 4.0, Community Improvement of the Oshawa Official Plan, contains a number of policies pertaining to community improvement. These Official Plan policies served as the basis for the City s participation in ONIP and PRIDE programs. Certain additional policies have been added to the Official Plan relating to Renaissance Community Improvement Areas. Section 4.3.4 of the Oshawa Official Plan identifies various Sub-areas with associated problems and required improvements. Amendment No. 122 to the Oshawa Official Plan added policy language related to the problems and deficiencies in Sub-area D and delineated the limits of Sub-area D on Schedule C-1 Renaissance Community Improvement Area. Problems identified within Sub-area D are aesthetics and the rehabilitation of lands and buildings. Programs to partially address these problems are described in Section 3.3 and 5.0 of this Plan. As a prerequisite for the adoption of a Community Improvement Plan, Council has designated the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area as a Community Improvement Project Area by by-law pursuant to Section 28 (2) of the Planning Act. 2.4.3 Other Related Official Plan Policies Section 2.1.2.7 of the Oshawa Official Plan states that the development of all Central Areas shall be in accordance with good design principles and consideration shall be given to the following: Urban design schemes which include the massing of built form in relation to surrounding land uses, common internal vehicular and pedestrian circulation, integration of the location and design of structures, and the integration of parking areas and access points with those of adjacent land uses; Landscaping as an integral part of all developments; Integration of walkways, parkland and open space; Discouraging open storage; Potential public transit routes and a sufficient balance of off-street parking in accordance with acceptable design principles and in consideration of the proportion of people anticipated to travel by different means of transportation; and The type and design of signs related to activities in all areas in order to avoid conflicts with traffic signals and signs, and related to the aesthetics of the environment. 2.5 Zoning By-Law No. 60-94 The present zone categories in the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area generally reflect the existing land uses. Exhibit No. 4 shows the zone categories for properties located within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 9
It should be noted that Sections 2.4 and 2.5 and Exhibits No. 2, 3 and 4 are intended to provide a general overview of the planning framework. For specific information regarding the Oshawa Official Plan and Zoning By-law No. 60-94, the actual documents should be consulted. 2.6 Population Land use designations in the Downtown Shoulder Area include Residential, Industrial, Planned Commercial Strip and Open Space and Recreation. Residential development is permitted under the Residential designation and the Planned Commercial Strip designation subject to the inclusion of appropriate provisions in the zoning by-law. According to the Oshawa Land Information, the Downtown Shoulder Area has a population of approximately 2,900 people in 2005. The population of Downtown Shoulder Area is expected to increase by 1,000 persons during the duration of this Plan. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 10
Exhibit No. 4 Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 11
3.0 Problems and Deficiencies 3.1 Economic Indicators The Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area does not exhibit severe characteristics of economic decline, but there are various indicators that the area has not maximized its potential. These indicators include underutilized properties and marginal uses. The Community Improvement Plan is designed to stimulate private sector interest and strengthen business opportunities within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. 3.2 Building Conditions One indicator of the need for Community Improvement is the state of the current building stock. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has previously required that a minimum of 25% of the buildings be characterized by deficiencies. This minimum percentage was included in Community Improvement Plans that were prepared to take advantage of Provincial funding programs such as ONIP and PRIDE but is no longer a prerequisite. The improvements to municipal properties that were undertaken under the CBD PRIDE Plan resulted in some private property owners upgrading their properties. Recently, the façade loan programs in the Central Business District Renaissance Community Improvement Plan and the Simcoe Street South Renaissance Community Improvement Plan have had success in fostering private sector improvements to existing buildings. It is anticipated that the grant and loan programs contained in this Community Improvement Plan will result in additional private sector investment in this area of the City. 3.3 Potential Solutions The Downtown Shoulder Area has an important land use relationship with the Central Business District. The Central Business District is planned to function as the dominant Central Area in Durham Region. In order to support this concentration of retail, office and service uses, the Downtown Shoulder Area must have a sufficient population. The issue of encouraging residential redevelopment in the Downtown Shoulder Area is best accomplished through grant programs to make redevelopment opportunities in the Downtown Shoulder Area more attractive and financially viable. This is accomplished through development charge grants and building permit fee grants. These mechanisms are described in Section 5.0 of this Community Improvement Plan. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 12
4.0 Community Improvement Plan Budget 4.1 Funding Sources The City of Oshawa intends to fund the City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant Program through the increase in the municipal portion of the property taxes that result from the redevelopment. However, this does not preclude the use of other funding sources as they become available. The City will endeavor to utilize other sources of funding for the implementation of this program if such funding becomes available. The City of Oshawa will fund the City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant Program through the existing Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Reserve. City Council will monitor the financial status of this reserve and consider contributions to it through the annual budget process. The City of Oshawa will fund the Places to Grow Grant Program through the new Places to Grow Reserve. The City will investigate funding sources for the implementation of this program when such funding becomes available.. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 13
Part B Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 14
5.0 Community Improvement Plan The Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan consists of the following: 5.1 Goals and Objectives The goals of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan are consistent with the community improvement goals of the Oshawa Official Plan. The Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan authorizes grants to encourage development in this area of the City. The objectives of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan are: To encourage medium and high density residential development in the Downtown Shoulder Area; and To recognize the important land use relationship between the Downtown Shoulder Area and the Central Business District. 5.2 Grant Programs 5.2.1 City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant Program The City of Oshawa may provide a grant towards the amount of the applicable City of Oshawa Development Charges payable for residential development within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. This grant program is intended to assist property owners with financing the construction of new residential units within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. Grants for residential development will be provided on a sliding scale based upon meeting performance criteria. Area of Application The City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant Program is available to all registered property owners within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area as shown on Exhibit No. 1. Eligible Residential Units are: Stacked townhouses; Street townhouses; Block townhouses; Apartments with two or more bedrooms; and Apartments with one or fewer bedrooms. Eligibility for Grant The applicants for a City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant must be the registered owner(s) of the property or the owner s authorized agent. The development must include an eligible residential unit within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 15
Community Improvement Area. City 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 Development Charge Grant. The provision of any City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant will be administered in accordance with any administrative rules governing this and other grant programs. General Terms of Grant Program Any City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant will be provided to the registered owner of the property or the owner s authorized agent as specified in an appropriate agreement with the City. The grant will be funded by increased City property tax revenues from the benefiting development. The grant represents a percentage of the applicable City of Oshawa Development Charges based on the applicant s ability to meet certain performance based criteria. At the time of building permit application, the applicant will pay all applicable Development Charges, including the City of Oshawa s Development Charges, unless subject to a deferral agreement. Performance Criteria The City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant will be provided on the basis of the following performance criteria: Development must achieve a minimum of four stories; Development must achieve a minimum of 50 units; Development must achieve a minimum density of 60 units per hectare; Development must include a minimum 50% of required parking below grade; Development must involve the redevelopment of a contaminated site and the submission of an MOE acknowledged Record of Site Condition; and, Development must be of a high order of architectural and urban design, as determined by staff, involving quality building materials. Development Charge Grants A City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant will be provided to the registered owner of the property based on the following Table: Number of Performance Criteria Met City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant None 0% One 15% Two 30% Three 50% Four 65% Five 80% Six 100% Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 16
All owners of property within the City of Oshawa Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area, as shown on Exhibit No. 1, are eligible to apply for funding under this grant program. This grant program is subject to the following program requirements and the availability of City funding as approved by Oshawa City Council: (a) Applications for the City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant Program must be submitted before commencing any eligible works that are the subject of the application and before applying for a building permit; (b) The applicant may be required to submit a Business Plan; (c) The property shall be redeveloped such that the amount of the work undertaken is sufficient to result in a re-evaluation of the property by MPAC; (d) The total value of the City grants provided under this program shall not exceed the total value of the City Development Charges paid; (e) The City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant will consist of an annual grant in the amount of 100% of the increase in City property taxes resulting from redevelopment of the site until the total value of City grants equals the amount of City Development Charges paid; (f) All participating owners are required to enter into an agreement with the City to specify the terms of the grants; (g) All City of Oshawa Development Charge Grants must be approved by Oshawa City Council; (h) The subject property will be ineligible for the City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant if the property is in tax arrears; (i) Buildings that are constructed under the City of Oshawa Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan and subsequently demolished before the grant period expires shall not receive the remainder of the grants; and (j) Outstanding work orders issued by a Department of the City of Oshawa must be satisfactorily addressed before a grant is approved. Other Programs Provided all eligibility criteria and conditions are met for this program, participation in the City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant Program does not preclude the owner from being eligible for other grant programs offered under the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan or any other Renaissance Community Improvement initiative. 5.2.2 City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant Program The City of Oshawa may provide a grant for 50% of the City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee for residential development within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area to a maximum of $50,000 per property. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 17
This grant program is intended to assist property owners with financing the construction of new residential units within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area by providing a grant equivalent to 50% of the amount of the applicable City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee. Area of Application The City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant Program is available to all registered property owners, or the owner s authorized agent, within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area as shown on Exhibit No. 1. Eligibility for Grant The applicants for a City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant must be the registered owner(s) of the property, or the owner s authorized agent, and must construct an eligible residential unit within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. City 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 City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant. The provision of any City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant will be administered on a first come first served basis to the limit of available City funding in accordance with any administrative rules governing this and other grant programs. General Terms of Grant Program Any City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant will be provided as a grant to the registered owner of the property and represents an amount equivalent to 50% of the City of Oshawa s Building Permit Fee to a maximum of $50,000 per property. At the time of building permit application, the applicant will pay all applicable fees, including the City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee. If eligible, the City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant will be provided following final building inspection. Other Programs Provided all eligibility criteria and conditions are met for this program, participation in the City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant does not preclude the owner from being eligible for other grant programs offered under the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan or any other Renaissance Community Improvement initiative. Work Already Commenced The City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant will not be retroactively applied to developments where building permits were issued prior to the commencement of the program. Procedures 1. Grant Application Submitted at Time of Building Permit Application Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 18
The applicant is required to submit a completed City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant application form to the Director of Planning Services for approval prior to commencing construction. The application will include a copy of the Building Permit application including drawings detailing the proposed development and an estimate of the work to be undertaken. This may require drawings to be prepared by a Professional Engineer or Architect. 2. Provision of Grant Following the completion of the work and final building inspection by the Building Services Division of the Department of Development Services, the City of Oshawa Building Permit Fee Grant will be provided for approved projects. 5.2.3 Places to Grow Grant Program The City of Oshawa may provide a grant towards the amount of the applicable Region of Durham Development Charges payable for residential development within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. This grant program is intended to assist property owners with financing the construction of new residential units within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Area. Grants for residential development will be provided on a sliding scale based upon performance criteria. Area of Application The Places to Grow Grant Program is available to all registered property owners within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area as shown on Exhibit No. 1. Eligible Residential Units are: Stacked townhouses; Street townhouses; Block townhouses; Apartments with two or more bedrooms; and Apartments with one or fewer bedrooms. Eligibility for Grant The applicants for a Places to Grow Grant must be the registered owner(s) of the property or the owner s authorized agent. The development must include an eligible residential unit within the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. City 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 Places to Grow Grant. General Terms of Grant Program Any Places to Grow Grant will be provided to the registered owner of the property or the owner s authorized agent. The grant represents a percentage of the applicable Region Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 19
of Durham Development Charges based on the applicant s ability to meet certain performance based criteria. At the time of building permit application, the applicant will pay all applicable Development Charges, including the Region of Durham s Development Charges, unless subject to a deferral agreement. Performance Criteria The Places to Grow Grant will be provided on the basis of the following performance criteria: Development must achieve a minimum of four stories; Development must achieve a minimum of 50 units; Development must achieve a minimum density of 60 units per hectare; Development must include a minimum 50% of required parking below grade; Development must involve the redevelopment of a contaminated site and the submission of an MOE acknowledged Record of Site Condition; and, Development must be of a high order of architectural and urban design involving quality building materials. Places to Grow Grants A Places to Grow Grant will be provided to the registered owner of the property based on the following Table: Number of Performance Criteria Met Places to Grow Grant as a % of the Regional Development Charge None 0% One 15% Two 30% Three 50% Four 65% Five 80% Six 100% Other Programs Provided all eligibility criteria and conditions are met for this program, participation in the Places to Grow Grant Program does not preclude the owner from being eligible for other grant programs offered under the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan or any other Renaissance Community Improvement initiative. Work Already Commenced The Places to Grow Grant Program will not be retroactively applied to developments where building permits were issued prior to the commencement of the program. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 20
Procedures 1. Grant Application Submitted at Time of Building Permit Application The applicant is required to submit a completed Places to Grow Grant application form to the Director of Planning Services or his/her delegate. The application will include a copy of the Building Permit application including drawings detailing the proposed development and an estimate of the work to be undertaken. This may require drawings to be prepared by a Professional Engineer or Architect. City staff will determine whether or not the application is approved and will confirm in writing to the applicant the amount of the Places to Grow Grant. 2. Execution of Agreement Before work is initiated, City staff will prepare an agreement to govern the payment of the Places to Grow Grant including the total financial commitment of the City and a payment schedule. This agreement may be required in addition to the agreement required under the City of Oshawa Development Charge Grant Program. 3. Availability 5.3 Duration The approval of any Places to Grow grant application is subject to the availability of funds in the Places to Grow Reserve. The grants in the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan will commence on or after the approval of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan by the Province of Ontario and will run until December 31, 2016. The grant programs will not be applied retroactively and applications will not be accepted after December 31, 2016. Applications received before December 31, 2016 will be processed subject to the availability of funding. 5.4 Monitoring The goals and objectives of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan are expressed in Section 5.1 of this Community Improvement Plan. Council will conduct periodic reviews of the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan to determine its effectiveness. 6.0 Implementation The Community Improvement Plan will be implemented through the provisions of Section 4 of the Oshawa Official Plan and Section 28 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13. The overall implementation of the grant programs, including liaison with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Region of Durham, shall be the responsibility of the Department of Development Services. The grant programs will be administered on a first come first served basis to the limit of available funding in accordance with any administrative rules governing the programs. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 21
7.0 Interpretation Sections 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 of this document, along with Exhibit No. 1, shall form the actual Community Improvement Plan for the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Area. Sections 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0, Exhibits No. 2, 3 and 4, and Appendix No. 1 do not constitute part of the actual Community Improvement Plan. Council may amend the CIP to incorporate matters including financial assistance or land related programs. In addition to meeting any requirements of the Planning Act, approval must be obtained from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing before the amendment may come into force. Amendments to this CIP are subject to the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing where an amendment includes: 1. A change or expansion in the geographic area to which financial or land programs outlined in a CIP apply; 2. A change in the eligibility criteria as it relates to a financial incentive to be offered within a municipal CIP program; 3. Addition of new municipal assistance programs involving grants, loans, tax assistance or land; or 4. An increase to a financial incentive to be offered within a municipal CIP program. This Plan shall be referred to as the Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan for the City of Oshawa. At such time as other Community Improvement Plans are prepared for this or other areas, this title may be modified for clarification purposes without requiring an amendment to this Plan. Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 22
PART C Appendix Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 23
Appendix No. 1: Notice of Public Meeting NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING PLANNING ACT Re: Date: Place: Proposed Community Improvement Plan (File No. B1210 0030) City of Oshawa WARDS 2 and 5 August 28, 2006 5:30 p.m. Council Chamber, City Hall 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa ADELAIDE AVE W K SIMCOE NG ST ST E N S MARY MCOE ST ST N RITSON WILSON RD S N CENTRE PARK RD ST S S S CENTRE MCOE ST N S ADELAIDE GIBB ST AVE W PARK SIMCOE RD ST S S MARY RITSON S RD N S OL BOND VE ST AVEE BOND KING ST E GOLIVE BB ST AVE THE OSHAWA DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSIDERING A PROPOSED COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE DOWNTOWN SHOULDER AREA TO ENABLE THE CITY OF OSHAWA TO ESTABLISH GRANT PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA OF THE CITY. THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN WOULD APPLY TO THE LANDS SHOWN HATCHED ON THE ABOVE MAP. Information regarding the proposed Community Improvement Plan is available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, in the Department of Development Services, 7th Floor, Rundle Tower, City Hall, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 3Z7, or by calling Warren Munro at (905) 436-5636, extension 2410. Written submissions regarding the proposed Official Plan Amendment and the proposed Community Improvement Plan can be made to Thomas B. Hodgins, Commissioner, Department of Development Services, or be made at the public meeting. A Community Improvement Plan adopted by Oshawa City Council is forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. If a person or public body that files a notice of an appeal of a decision of the City of Oshawa in respect of the proposed Community Improvement Plan, does not make oral submissions at the public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Oshawa before the proposed Community Improvement Plan is adopted, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal. If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the Community Improvement Plan, you must make a written request to the City Clerk, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa, Ontario L1H 3Z7. Thomas B. Hodgins, B.E.S., M. A., RPP, Commissioner Department of Development Services 2006 08 06 Downtown Shoulder Area Renaissance Community Improvement Plan Page 24
To find out more about these programs, please contact: City of Oshawa Economic Development Services 50 Centre Street South 2nd Floor, Rundle Tower Oshawa, Ontario L1H 3Z7 Telephone: 905-436-5617 or toll-free at 1-800-6-OSHAWA Email: business@oshawa.ca Website: www.oshawa.ca