Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

Purpose

Assist with the creation of new rental residential units in St. Marys and to improve the condition of existing residential units. The purpose is to support the availability of a wider range of more attainable housing options in St. Marys.

Eligible Costs

• Creation of new residential units in the upper storey(s) of a commercial or office building
• Significant improvement in the quality of one or more existing residential units in the upper storey(s) of a mixed-use building, which achieve one more of the following:
• Improve the quality of life for the occupants
• Increase the value of the unit(s)
• Make previously inhabitable unit(s) habitable (may include floodproofing measures)
• Make the unit attractive to a wider range of income groups
• Services of a professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, or planner to design and implement the project (so long as the applicant does not have a Design and Study Grant, and that the services shall no exceed 15% of the total value of the grant).

Grant Value

50% of the eligible costs for each unit up to $5,000 per unit, with the overall grant value not exceeding $10,000.

Purpose

Support a greater mix and size of housing types in the Town and increase the availability of attainable rental housing.

Eligible Projects

Project costs for the construction of an:

• Interior accessory apartment dwelling unit within an existing principal dwelling unit or as an addition thereto; or,
• Exterior accessory apartment dwelling unit within an existing or new detached accessory structure.
• Eligible Costs
• Project costs that are incurred after the Building Permit for the accessory apartment unit has been issued by the Chief Building Official
• Building materials, labour costs and new or upgraded HVAC systems and plumbing where required under the Building Permit to facilitate construction of the accessory dwelling unit
• Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to: household appliances, decorative amenities, financing, consulting fees and fees to prepare building permit plans.

Value of Costs

Up to 50% of the eligible project costs incurred, to a maximum of $10,000.

Purpose

For the completion of studies, plans or designs that will investigate site-specific potential on an improvement project. Intended to aid with initial background planning and design in support of improvement projects on eligible properties.

Eligible Costs

• Survey, concept plans and site plans
• Traffic Impact Assessments
• Environmental studies
• Attainable Housing report
• Studies and/or plans to enhance urban design
• Other site-specific studies or plans which may be required by the Town at the time of pre-consultation or site plan approval and as approved by the CIP Implementation lead

Eligible studies, plans, or designs must be completed by licensed and/or qualified professionals as deemed by the Town

Receipt of Study

One electronic and one hard copy of the completed studies, plans or designs shall be submitted to the Town for its review and retention

All completed studies will become the shared property of the Town and the successful applicant

Grant Value

Up to 50%, to a maximum of $5,000 per project and/or property.

Purpose

Offset the planning and building fees required by the Town related to attainable housing projects.

Eligible Costs

• Planning application fees required by the Town, including minor variances, site plan approval, severances and Zoning By-law and Official Plan amendments
• Building or demolition permit fees
• Costs (i.e., hourly fees) associated with the processing of planning applications by Town staff will not be eligible

Rebate Value

Cover 50% of the eligible fees, up to a maximum of $5,000 per project and/or property.

Purpose

To stimulate investment by deferring part of the increase in property taxation because of adaptive reuse, building rehabilitation and retrofit works. Will provide a grant to eligible property owners, which is equivalent to a percentage of the municipal portion of a property tax increment that is incurred because of an improvement project.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants will only include the registered owner/assessed owner of the subject property. Tenants will not be eligible.

Only projects that are anticipated to generate an increase in assessment are eligible.

Applicants receiving TIEG will not be eligible for additional incentive programs offered through this CIP.

Eligible Costs

• Demolishing buildings
• Adaptive reuse, building rehabilitation and retrofit works
• Upgrading on-site infrastructure including water services, sanitary sewers and storm water management facilities
• Constructing/upgrading of any off-site improvement that is required to fulfill any condition of a development/planning approval for the development, redevelopment, adaptive reuse or rehabilitation of the building and/or property
• Such or similar costs that may be necessary for the redevelopment, adaptive reuse or rehabilitation of the building and/or property, such as the completion of studies and the cost of planning application and building permit fees

Payment Process

• Grants may be provided in accordance with a TIEG Agreement made between the Town and the owner(s) upon successful completion of the approved project, to the satisfaction of the Town, and payment of the full reassessed value of municipal taxes.
• If the property is sold, in whole or in part, before the grant period lapses, the original owner is not entitled to receiving the remining grant payments. However, if a Grant Agreement is registered on the title of the subject property, the new owner may be entitled to receive the remaining grant payments.

Grant Value

Where a proposed project satisfied the eligibility requirements, a TIEG may be provided on approved applications as noted below.

Grants will be provided for a period of 5 years:

• In year one, a grant that is equivalent to 100% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year two, a grant that is equivalent to 80% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year three, a grant that is equivalent to 60% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year four, a grant that is equivalent to 40% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year five, a grant that is equivalent to 20% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.

To determine the suitability of the TIEG, the Town will attempt to estimate the total potential value of the grant prior to submitting an application for the program. The estimate will consider current assessment value, total anticipated investment and the potential reassessment based on completing the works.

Purpose

Assist with the cost for connections to water, wastewater and storm sewer services that may otherwise be considered cost prohibitive. The program is intended to increase the number of serviced properties in areas where there is infill potential for commercial, industrial or multi-residential development.

Eligible Costs

• New water, wastewater, storm sewer connection application fees
• Construction and engineering related costs associated with the connection of water, wastewater and storm sewer services to previously unserviced properties

The applicant must provide at least three quotes for the required works, plans or designs at the time of a financial incentive application, or the applicant must provide an explanation as to why three quotes is not possible.

Grant Value

• Up to 50% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of $15,000 per property
• A minimum total investment of $2,500 shall be required by an applicant in order to be eligible. In other words, the minimum value of a grant shall be $5,0000, representing a $2,500 contribution from the applicant and a $2,500 contribution from the Town.

Purpose

Promote aesthetic and functional improvement to buildings and properties within St. Marys' downtown core

Eligible Projects

• Restoration or replacement of exterior building treatments, such as brickwork/cladding/siding and painting
• Restoration or replacement of cornices, eaves and parapets
• Restoration or replacement of windows, doors, and awnings
• Restoration or replacement of exterior lighting
• Chemical or other façade cleaning
• Redesign of storefront/entrance, and provisions for accessibility
• Other similar improvements and repairs that may be necessary to improve the appearance of a building façade exterior
• Improvement and/or replacement of storefront signs, side and/or rear wall sign that is visible from a public street or public space and fronting onto a laneway or parking lot

Grant Value

Up to 50% of the eligible costs, not exceeding $8,000 per project and/or property.

The Town may increase the maximum value of the grant to $10,000 per project and/or property when one or more of the following criteria are met:

• A building has multiple store fronts or street addresses or is on a corner lot and façade improvements are proposed on both frontages
• The restoration of heritage attributes is proposed

Purpose

Small-scale conversion and expansion of existing vacant or underused space into new commercial, mixed-use and other eligible uses. This grant is intended to support growing businesses thereby increasing commercial assessments.

Eligible Costs

• For the construction and renovation costs related to the following types of projects:
• Conversion of non-commercial or vacant building space into new commercial, mixed-use, secondary uses, and other eligible uses
• Conversion of existing ground floor commercial space to better suite a new commercial use (e.g., retail to restaurant)
• Creation of business incubator space
• Expansion of existing eligible uses to increase the gross floor area
• Adaptive re-use of existing structures
• Services of a professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, or planner to design and implement the project (so long as the applicant does not have a Design and Study Grant, and that the services shall no exceed 15% of the total value of the grant)

Grant Value

Shall not exceed $8,000 per project and/or property.

Purpose

Assist with the creation of new rental residential units in St. Marys and to improve the condition of existing residential units. The purpose is to support the availability of a wider range of more attainable housing options in St. Marys.

Eligible Costs

• Creation of new residential units in the upper storey(s) of a commercial or office building
• Significant improvement in the quality of one or more existing residential units in the upper storey(s) of a mixed-use building, which achieve one more of the following:
• Improve the quality of life for the occupants
• Increase the value of the unit(s)
• Make previously inhabitable unit(s) habitable (may include floodproofing measures)
• Make the unit attractive to a wider range of income groups
• Services of a professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, or planner to design and implement the project (so long as the applicant does not have a Design and Study Grant, and that the services shall no exceed 15% of the total value of the grant).

Grant Value

50% of the eligible costs for each unit up to $5,000 per unit, with the overall grant value not exceeding $10,000.

Purpose

Assist with functional improvements to existing buildings and properties, and to extend the useful life, improve safety, add electric, charging stations or other similar improvements to meet sustainability goals, and/or increase the value of a building or property, and support improvement to private property to meet the current Building Code, and other building and site requirements (accessibility).

Eligible Projects

• Improvements to the front, rear, and side of the side of building(s) are eligible:
• Structural repairs to walls, ceilings, floors, and foundations
• Installation of ramps, elevators, lifts, and/or automatic door openers, and other improvements to enhance accessibility
• Interior restoration and re-design
• Repair/replacement/installation of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and fire protection systems
• Weatherproofing
• Any other improvements that may bring a building up to code, address health and safety concerns, or improve accessibility and removal of barriers as approved by the Town
• Services of a professional engineer or architect to design and implement the project (so long as the applicant does not have a Design and Study Grant, and that the services shall not exceed 15% of the total value of the grant)

Grant Value

Up to 50% of the eligible costs, not exceeding $8,000 per project and/or property.

Purpose

To support the permanent Installation of Publicly Accessible Private Spaces (POPS) and outdoor artworks on private property. Intended to promote a lively and vibrant streetscape in Downtown St. Marys and encourage the creation of spaces that contribute to urban character, enhance the pedestrian experience and complement the public network of parks, including small parks, plazas, squares, atriums, extended sidewalks, midblock connections/laneways, trails, community gardens, rooftop terraces, simple grass covered open spaces and public art.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposed public art projects must, in the opinion of the Town, be consistent with an applicable design guidelines.
• Proposed public art projects must also be suitable for a public audience and may not contain commercial or advertising content. Applicants shall work in cooperation with and obtain guidance from the Town with respect to proposed public art projects.

Eligible Costs

• Decorative signage
• Paving and the addition of walkways
• Addition of permanent landscaping features
• Seating
• Lighting (decorative)
• Material costs for design/production/fabrication/installation of new/original art works/structures or the restoration of existing works/structures
• The services of a professional artist or landscape architect to design and implement the project (subject to such services having not been provided to the applicant through the Design and Study Grant, and/or the services shall not exceed 15% of the total value of the grant)

Grant Value

Up to 50%, to a maximum of $5,000 per project and/or property.

Purpose

Assist with the beautification and physical improvement of seasonal outdoor sidewalk café spaces and permanent outdoor patios. The grant is intended to promote a lively and vibrant streetscape in the downtown and support the establishment of restaurant patio space in other areas, where permitted and appropriate.

Eligibility Criteria

• Only commercial or mixed use properties will be eligible
• Applicants will not be eligible for the Sidewalk Café and Outdoor Patio Grant more than once during the lifetime of this CIP.

Eligible Costs

• Patio furniture
• Sidewalk platforms required to direct pedestrian traffic
• Decorative fencing
• Landscaping
• The services of a professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, or planner to design and implement the project (subject to such services having not been provided to the applicant through the Design and Study Grant, and the maximum amount of a grant for such services shall not exceed 15%).

Grant Value

Up to 50%, to a maximum of $5,000 per project and/or property.

Purpose

For the completion of studies, plans or designs that will investigate site-specific potential on an improvement project. Intended to aid with initial background planning and design in support of improvement projects on eligible properties.

Eligible Costs

• Survey, concept plans and site plans
• Traffic Impact Assessments
• Environmental studies
• Attainable Housing report
• Studies and/or plans to enhance urban design
• Other site-specific studies or plans which may be required by the Town at the time of pre-consultation or site plan approval and as approved by the CIP Implementation lead

Eligible studies, plans, or designs must be completed by licensed and/or qualified professionals as deemed by the Town

Receipt of Study

One electronic and one hard copy of the completed studies, plans or designs shall be submitted to the Town for its review and retention

All completed studies will become the shared property of the Town and the successful applicant

Grant Value

Up to 50%, to a maximum of $5,000 per project and/or property.

Purpose

To stimulate investment by deferring part of the increase in property taxation because of adaptive reuse, building rehabilitation and retrofit works. Will provide a grant to eligible property owners, which is equivalent to a percentage of the municipal portion of a property tax increment that is incurred because of an improvement project.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants will only include the registered owner/assessed owner of the subject property. Tenants will not be eligible.

Only projects that are anticipated to generate an increase in assessment are eligible.

Applicants receiving TIEG will not be eligible for additional incentive programs offered through this CIP.

Eligible Costs

• Demolishing buildings
• Adaptive reuse, building rehabilitation and retrofit works
• Upgrading on-site infrastructure including water services, sanitary sewers and storm water management facilities
• Constructing/upgrading of any off-site improvement that is required to fulfill any condition of a development/planning approval for the development, redevelopment, adaptive reuse or rehabilitation of the building and/or property
• Such or similar costs that may be necessary for the redevelopment, adaptive reuse or rehabilitation of the building and/or property, such as the completion of studies and the cost of planning application and building permit fees

Payment Process

• Grants may be provided in accordance with a TIEG Agreement made between the Town and the owner(s) upon successful completion of the approved project, to the satisfaction of the Town, and payment of the full reassessed value of municipal taxes.
• If the property is sold, in whole or in part, before the grant period lapses, the original owner is not entitled to receiving the remining grant payments. However, if a Grant Agreement is registered on the title of the subject property, the new owner may be entitled to receive the remaining grant payments.

Grant Value

Where a proposed project satisfied the eligibility requirements, a TIEG may be provided on approved applications as noted below.

Grants will be provided for a period of 5 years:

• In year one, a grant that is equivalent to 100% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year two, a grant that is equivalent to 80% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year three, a grant that is equivalent to 60% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year four, a grant that is equivalent to 40% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.
• In year five, a grant that is equivalent to 20% of the Town portion of the tax increment may be provided to a property owner.

To determine the suitability of the TIEG, the Town will attempt to estimate the total potential value of the grant prior to submitting an application for the program. The estimate will consider current assessment value, total anticipated investment and the potential reassessment based on completing the works.