Downtown Incentives Program

Transcription

1 Downtown Incentives Program The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville's Incentives Program offers several opportunities for grants, loans and other assistance to downtown property owners, investors, developers and business owners, including: Building, Fa<;ade & Signage Improvement Loan Program: Redevelopment/Rehabilitation Program which provides for a Property Tax Rebate on the local portion of the tax bill; and, Reduction in Parkland Dedication Fee Eligibility Any owner of a property or a business tenant (with the approval of the owner) within the Downtown Stouffville Community Improvement Plan (CIP) area may apply. Property tax accounts must be current and the applicant cannot be involved in litigation with the Town. Other eligibility criteria are specific to the individual incentive. An eligible owner or business tenant may apply for one program or any combination of programs. The Downtown Stouffville CIP boundary is included as Attachment 1. Building, Fa~ade & Signage Improvement Loan This program provides financial assistance to owners and business tenants of downtown commercial properties who want to make improvements either to the exterior or interior of their buildings. The incentives are designed to stimulate redevelopment of downtown buildings, thereby creating pleasant surroundings and functional buildings. A total of $50,000 has been set aside by Town Council in 2012 to fund the Municipal portion of approved Improvement Loans. What can I do with the Money? Any owner of a property or a business tenant with the owner's authorization, w ithin the Downtown's designated Community Improvement Plan area may apply to the program for a loan or grant to cover the costs of materials, labour and equipment necessary to complete the interior and exterior renovation of their building. The fees do not cover chattels, furniture, appliances or landscaping. Applicants m ust a lso address any outstanding work orders relating to fire safety, property standards or

2 unsafe conditions. Loans will be secured by an Agreement with the Town that w ill be placed on the Title of the property. Eligible Improvements Include Exterior: Fac;:ade restoration of brickwork, masonary, wood, etc.; Painting or cleaning of the fac;:ade exterior; Exterior lighting; Replacement or repair of eaves, parapets and other architectural design elements; Window and door repair or replacement; Repair, replacement or addition to building signage, awnings, marquees and/or canopies; Restoration to include fac;:ade elements that were in place when the building was originally constructed; Entrance way modifications, including provisions to improve barrier free accessibility; and Redesigned shop fronts to facilitate enhanced display windows Eligible fac;:ade and signage improvements shall be consistent with the Town's approved Sign By-law and the Stouffville Urban Design Guidelines. Interior: Modifications to facilitate barrier free accessibility; Upper storey renovations to accommodate residential living space, business offices or other employment generating uses; and Upgrading the building to comply with the Building Code and Fire Code How Much Money Can I Get? Under the Building, Facade and Signage Program, the Town will match the amount spent by the applicant toward the cost of the works up to a maximum loan of $15,000 per property. The loan program shall be for a ten-year term. The loan may be repaid at any time with a 25% loan forgiveness if repaid within three years. Eligible costs will include materials, equipment and contracted labour based upon two quotes. Labour provided by the applicant will not be considered an eligible expense.

3 The loan will be advanced to the applicant upon completion of the works and the receipt of invoices/proof of payment. Successful applicants will be required to enter into an Agreement w ith the Town and the loan will be secured through the registration of a lien on the Title of the property for the total amount of the loan. If the owner were to sell the property prior to paying off the loan, the portion of the loan outstanding must be repaid to the Town in full prior to the sale closing. Administration and Process The program will not be retroactively applied to developments w here building permits have been issued prior to the commencement of the project, or, works were completed in advance of executing an Agreement with the Town. All applicants will be required to have a pre-consultation meeting with Town Staff p rior to filling out their applications. The completed Application Form shall include plans, estimates, contracts and other details required to satisfy the Town about the nature of the project and its conformity with the Downtown Stouffville CIP program. Applications for the Build ing, Facade & Signage Improvement Loan program will be assessed based upon: Consistency with the Town's Sign By-law; Implementation and conformity with the Stouffville Urban Design Guidelines; Conformity with the objectives of the Downtown Stouffville CIP; and Funding availability Whitchurch -Stouffville Property Tax Rebate The Town offers assistance in the form of a property tax rebate on the local portion of the tax bill in support of redevelopmenl;rehabilitation sites within the Downtown Stouffville Community Improvement Plan area. The Town grant is p aid annually and is provided on a declining rate basis for a ten-year period. The grant is generally equal to 80% of the incremental taxes for the redeveloped property in Year 1. The grant represents a percentage of increased taxes payable to the Town resulting from improvements as established by the reassessment of the property.

4 The owner will be required to enter into an Agreement with the Town which will be registered on the Title of the property. The Agreement w ill establish the terms and conditions of the redevelopment/rehabilitation grant. In the event that the property is sold during the term of the Agreement, the subsequent owner is not entitled to future grant payments. The owner is required to submit an Application Form to the Town prior to submitting or at the time of submitting a building permit application for the development or redevelopment of the property. As a condition of approval, the Town may require the submission of a Business Plan and/or professional design/ architectural drawings which conform to the Stouffville Urban Design Guidelines and the General Zoning By-law. Reduction or Elimination of the Parkland Dedication Fees The Town may reduce or eliminate the payment of cash-in-lieu of the prov1s1on of parkland for redevelopment or development sites within the Downtown Stouffville Community Improvement Plan area. The applicant is required to submit to the Town the completed Application Form prior to the commencement of a planning application and/or any works as may be applicable. The grant will be provided for approved projects upon payment of the appropriate fee once all related approvals have been given for the project. Pre-Consultation All applicants will be required to have a pre-consultation meeting with Town Staff prior to filling out their applications for either the Property Tax Rebate grant or the grant for the reduction/elimination of Parkland Dedication Fees. For More Information: Andrew McNeely, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning & Building Services Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville 111 Sandiford Drive Stouffville, ON L4A OZ ext andrew.mcneely@townofws.ca

5 Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville,- - -~ Community of Stouffville Downtown Area l--- J o --=3lll!~~:6:i0-1il2::o===1alio._.. 24~ Path: G:\C IS_PtoJlCTS\ DtPAitTMENTS\PV.NNING_IUI.DING\ DOWNTOWN_STOUffVIU I \ Of,l3.2012_0ownlown"OYI... e,fi'u!d

6 TOWN OF WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville, ON L4A OZ8 Customer Service Centre: Toll Free: TOWN (8696) Automated: Toll Free: TOWS (8697) Fax: COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN BUILDING FACADE AND SIGNAGE LOAN PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM 0 Fac;ade 0 Building Improvement 0 Signage/Awning Date Application Received: Application Number (assigned by staff): APPLICANT INFORMATION: Property Address: Apartment(s): Property Owner: Name of Ten ant: Name of Business: Mailing Address: City and Postal Code: Telephone Number: Fax Number: PROPERTY INFORMATION: Registered Plan Number: Lot Number: Assessment Roll Number: Civic Address: The personal information on this form is collected under the legal authority of the Planning Act, Section 28 and will be used for determining your eligibility for a grant. If you have any questions about the collection of information, please contact: Andrew McNeely, Director of Planning & Building Services at ext

7 WORK ESTIMATES Must attach two (2) independent contractor estimates for building, fa9ade or signage improvements. Preferred Contractor: Estimated Construction Cost: (copy of written estimate attached) Second Contractor: Estimated Construction Cost: (copy of written estimate attached) Total Construction Cost: Total Loan Requested: DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS Please provide a written description of the proposed improvements. Attach at least one (1 ) copy of a prepared sketch (building plans required for fa9ade/building improvements) showing the proposed improvements.

8 ATTACH A PICTURE OF THE EXISTING BUILDING, FACADE/SIGNAGE

9 SIGNATURE OF OWNER AFFIDAVIT OR SWORN DECLARATION DATE OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION I, of the make oath and say or solemnly declare that the information contained in this application is true, and that the information contained in the documents that accompany this application is true. Sworn (or declared) before me at the _ in the this day of, 20. Commissioner Applicant's Signature Authorization: If the applicant is not the Owner of the land that is the subject of this application, written authorization of the Owner that the applicant is authorized to make the application must be included with this application.

10 CONSENT OF THE OWNER CONSENT OF OWNER TO THE USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION I,, am the owner of the land that is the subject of this application, and for the purposes of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, I authorize and consent to the use by or the disclosure of any person or public body of any personal information that is collected under the authority of the Planning Act for the purposes of processing this application. Name of Owner (please print) Signature of Owner Date Owner's Contact Information: Mailing Address: City: Postal Code: Telephone (Home) Telephone (Business) address Fax

11 TOWN OF WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville, ON L4A OZ8 Customer Service Centre: Toll Free: TOWN (8696) Automated: Toll Free: TOWS (8697) Fax: NOTICE OF COMPLETION I,, herby certify that all work has been completed as per my application for Community Improvement Plan Redevelopment/Rehabilitation Program and all paid invoices have been submitted. Signature (Owner/Applicant) Date I, Andrew McNeely, Director of Planning & Building Services, of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, hereby certify that the Community Improvement Plan Redevelopment/Rehabilitation Grant Program application is complete to the satisfaction of the Council of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Andrew McNeely, Director, Planning & Building Services Date