Using Planning Tools to Support Farm Viability:

How do Community Improvement Plans work for Value Added Ag?

November 3rd, Municipal Agriculture Economic Development Forum

Total population: 45,000+

5 “Urban” Centres

Major Industries: Manufacturing

Health Care

Agriculture

Tourism development is a focus for the division

Haldimand County

Community Improvement Plans

• NO BONUSING!!! • But…Section 28 of the

Planning Act allows for creation of Community Improvement Plans (CIPs)

• CIPs urban renewal and brownfield redevelopment tools in larger communities

Haldimand County Downtown Areas CIP

Since 2008: 105 approved downtown grants - $900,000 has gone on to leverage approx. $4.6 Million

Full suite of grants: façade improvements, interior renovations for certain uses, apartments renos, permits, DCs

Identified “downtowns” – strict boundaries

Complements Public Realm Improvements “Streetscaping” and supports to BIAs/Chambers of Commerce

Builds on:

Builds on previous efforts: zoning by-law reforms for value added agriculture, “Harvests of Haldimand”

Augments: rural streetscaping plans in hamlets, public realm improvements to waterfront, trail development, cycling tourism development, signage

Financial Incentives for Rural Development

Improve physical and visual qualities of the County’s Hamlets

Support Vale-Added Agriculture such as agri-tourism or small scale and on farm processing

Development of Commercial Roofed Accommodations

Preserve Heritage Buildings by investing in heritage features and encouraging commercial uses.

Program Eligible Properties Example Eligible Costs

Grant Amount

Facade, Landscape and Signage Improvement Grant

Agricultural/Rural Areas: Commercial Roofed Accommodation Value-Added Agricultural activity buildings Hamlets: Commercial Roofed Accommodation, commercial and mixed-use buildings. Urban Areas excluding the Downtown Areas CIPA: Commercial Roofed Accommodation only.

Replacement and rehabilitation of commercial/retail doors; Enhancement, windows, and façades Signage Improvements

•Grant valued at 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000; Can increase to $15,000 if visible from the Grand River. •Landscaping improvements will be funded to a maximum 15% of the total grant.

Building Restoration, Renovation and Improvement Grant

Agricultural/Rural Areas: Renovated and new agricultural commercial or industrial use buildings Hamlets: Conversion of underutilized space to use as a restaurant, market, or other place of assembly related to arts, culture, and recreation. Commercial Roofed Accommodations across the Rural Business and Tourism CIPA.

•Building, fire and other code compliance •Expansion or additions; •General Retrofitting; •Potentially additional on-site development (small-scale).

Grant valued at 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $25,000.

Incentive Summary Table

Incentive Summary Table

Program Eligible Properties Eligible Costs Grant Amount

Development Charge, Planning Fees and Building Permit Grant

Rural/Agricultural Areas: Value-Added Agricultural development that is not exempt from DCs (i.e. any building which is assessed as being industrial or commercial); Hamlets: Commercial Roofed Accommodation, commercial or mixed-use properties. Urban Areas excluding the Downtown Areas CIPA: Commercial Roofed Accommodation only.

Minor Variance; Site Plan approval; Building Permit fees; Plumbing permit fees; Sewage system permits; and Sign permits

•Grant valued at 100% of Development Charges. No maximum dollar amount. •Grant valued at 100% of eligible Planning and Building Permit Fees to a

Tax-based Redevelopment Grant (TIG)

Agricultural/Rural: Value-Added/Agriculture-related activity and commercial roofed accommodations Hamlets: commercial roofed accommodations, restaurants, markets or other places of assembly related to arts, culture, and/or recreation.

Urban Areas: commercial roofed accommodations. Approval for this program makes applicant ineligible for all other incentive programs

Site development and infrastructure work including demolition;

Major building rehabilitation;

New construction; and Design, engineering,

legal, insurance, and other professional fees.

The maximum amount of the grant is 50% of the annual County tax increment for a maximum duration of 10 years

At the County’s sole discretion, annual rebates of up to 90%

Incentive Summary Table Program Eligible Properties Eligible Costs Grant Amount

Heritage Property Commercial Use Grant

All Designated Heritage Properties located within the Rural Business and Tourism CIPA.

Improvement work to preserve, restore and enhance historic character/architectural elements of Heritage Properties which have/are being utilized for commercial enterprise.

Grant valued at 50% of construction costs to a maximum of $10,000. Can increase to $15,000 if visible from the Grand River

Hamlets - Façade Improvement

Façade Improvement Project

Hamlet of Fisherville

Project approved for $10,000 towards $20,325

Heritage Commercial Use

Heritage Commercial Use, Façade Improvement and Fee Rebate

Hamlet of York

$27,295 in grants leveraged $125,000+

Commercial Roofed Accommodations

Heritage Commercial Use, Building Restoration and Fee rebates

Dunnville

$19,362 leveraged a total of $35,716

Value Added Agriculture

Building Restoration and Fee rebates

South Cayuga

$13,388 leveraging $23,266

Success so far

11 Applications approved, $128,222 leveraging a total of $336,638 – For every dollar of grant there is additional $1.5 in investment

Projects approved in all target areas

Ongoing inquiries and consultation

Thanks!

Zach Gable MAES, EcD, CEcD Haldimand County Economic Development and Tourism zgable@haldimandcounty.on.ca