Township of val rita-Harty Community Improvement...

Township of val rita-Harty Community Improvement Plan

May 2018

Contents1.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................2

2.0 Purpose............................................................................................................................................2

3.0 Legislative Context...........................................................................................................................2

4.0 History of Community Improvement...............................................................................................4

5.0 Basis for Community Improvement in 2018....................................................................................5

6.0 Public Consultation........................................................................................................................12

7.0 Community Improvement Project Area.........................................................................................12

8.0 Community Improvement Plan Policies and Projects....................................................................13

8.1 Community Improvement Goal.................................................................................................13

8.1.1 Keynote Policy....................................................................................................................13

8.2 Community Improvement Projects............................................................................................13

8.2.1 Water Treatment System...................................................................................................13

8.2.2 Municipal Roads.................................................................................................................13

8.2.3 Playgrounds.......................................................................................................................14

8.2.4 New Housing......................................................................................................................14

8.2.5 Home Renewal Program....................................................................................................14

8.2.6 School Site Acquisition and Redevelopment......................................................................15

8.3 Community Consultation...........................................................................................................15

8.4 Implementation.........................................................................................................................15

Appendix 1 – Community Improvement Project Area By-law...................................................................16

Appendix 2 – Community Improvement Financial Incentives...................................................................18

1. New Housing Development...........................................................................................................18

A. Municipal Property Sales Grant.................................................................................................18

B. Property Tax Increment Grant...................................................................................................19

C. Building and Planning Application Rebate Grant.......................................................................21

2. Home Renewal Program................................................................................................................22

A. Accessibility Improvement Grant Program................................................................................22

B. Home Renewal Energy Efficiency Loan Program........................................................................23

3. Entrepreneurial Grant Program.....................................................................................................24

File P-2950 – Val Rita Community Improvement Plan Page 1

Township of Val Rita-Harty

Community Improvement Plan

Village of Val Rita

1.0 IntroductionOntario’s economy continues to be shaped by global economic, environmental and social trends, including: shifts from traditional manufacturing to knowledge and service-based creative economies; climate change and natural resource challenges; and increased cultural diversity at home and with trading partners. Fiscal, economic, demographic and environmental pressures differ from south to north, region to region and municipality to municipality. Common to all Ontario municipalities is the need to build strong resilient communities that are sustainable and deliver a high quality of life for businesses and residential property owners.

Community improvement planning is one of the many sustainable community planning tools found in the Planning Act, that can help municipalities address the challenges of building strong communities, often reshaping their identities that provide a means of planning and financing development activities that effectively use, reuse and restore lands, buildings and infrastructure.

2.0 Purpose Community improvement is considered an important land use planning tool to enable Council to create opportunities for development and redevelopment in the Village of Val Rita by building a vibrant community with updated infrastructure and the commercial, social and community services needed to attract new investment. Community improvement will be used to revitalize Val Rita, making the community an appealing and safe place to live, work and play.

3.0 Legislative ContextCommunity improvement activities are intended to address municipal planning objectives in a certain defined area through municipally-driven and/or incentive-based programs. Section 28 of the Planning Act, sections 106 and 365.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 provide the primary legislative framework for community improvement planning.


Powers available to the municipality for community improvement purposes include:

Designating by bylaw a specific property, area or entire community as a community improvement project area where the municipality’s official plan contains community improvement provisions (s. 28(2)).

Acquiring, holding, clearing, grading or otherwise preparing land for community improvement (s. 28(3)).

Constructing, repairing, rehabilitating or improving buildings on municipal land (s. 28(6)(a)).

Selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of municipal land (s. (28(6)(b)). Providing grants or loans to owners, tenants and their assignees within the community

improvement area to pay the whole or any part of identified eligible costs (ss. 28(7) and (7.1)).

Providing property tax assistance for environmental remediation purposes (s. 28(7.3) by reference to s. 365.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001

The definition of ‘community improvement’ includes “construction” (s.28(1)), improvement of energy efficiency (s. 28(1)) and the provision of “affordable housing” (s. 28(1.1)).

The scope of eligible costs for which municipalities can provide community improvement grants and loans (formerly known as rehabilitation costs) include:

o environmental site assessmento environmental remediationo development, redevelopment, construction and reconstruction of lands and

building for rehabilitative purposeso the provision of energy efficient uses, buildings, structures, works

and improvements or facilities (s. 28(7.1)). Registering related grant or loan agreements on the title of the subject land (s. 28(11)). Providing for municipally adopted community improvement plans to come into

effect once notice has been given and the 20 day appeal period has passed with no appeals (s. 28(5)).

Requiring municipalities to pre-consult with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (ss. 17(15) and 28(5)).

While Section 28 of the Planning Act provides the enabling authority for community improvement, the municipality must also have an official plan which sets out policies for community improvement in order for Council to use the authority of Section 28 of the Planning Act. The Township of Val Rita-Harty has an approved official plan which sets out policies for community improvement (7 (5) a-d). The primary policy for community improvement states:

“Prior to the adoption of a community improvement plan or any amendment thereto, Council shall undertake the work in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning Act. The Council shall ensure that in the course of the preparation of a plan or an amendment thereto, it holds a public meeting in accordance with Section 28(4) of the Planning Act, and any person attending the meeting shall be afforded an opportunity to make representation in respect of the proposed plan or amendment thereto.”


The intent of the official plan is broad but is intended to cover the full scope of authority set out in Section 28. For example, the municipality can designate the whole or any part of an area covered by an official plan as a community improvement project area. This means that the village of Val Rita which is covered by the Township’s official plan can be designated as a community improvement project area for the purposes of carrying out community improvements. Similarly the entire municipality can be designated as a community improvement project area.

The Township’s official plan also provides the enabling authority for maintenance and occupancy by-law or what is commonly referred to as a property standards by-law. In fact, the Council adopted By-law No. on March 22, 2016 as the Township’s property standards by-law. By virtue of doing so, Council is authorized to use the provisions of Section 32 of the Planning Act. Section 32 allows the Council to make grants or loans for improvements to properties which are subject to the property standards by-law. For example, if a property owner is required to repair a roof, replace windows with more energy efficient windows or add insulation, etc. in order to comply with the property standards by-law, the cost of those repairs can be covered by a loan or a grant issued by the Municipality on the terms set out by Council.

The official plan also sets the provisions for demolition control which triggers the use of Section 33 of the Planning Act. This means that Council, by by-law may establish a demolition control area where the demolition of a dwelling would not be permitted unless the owner committed to rebuilding a new dwelling on the site of the demolition. The new residence would have to be built within two (2) years of the demolition. The intent is to ensure the replacement of the housing stock to maintain the available supply of housing in the municipality such as the number of housing units in the Village of Val Rita.

4.0 History of Community Improvement

Community improvement is not a new venture for the Township of Val Rita-Harty. In 1985, the Council adopted a community improvement plan for each of the two town sites of Val Rita and Harty. The Plan for Val Rita included provisions for water and sewage services, storm water facilities, roads, sidewalks and street lighting. The plan was implemented. In 1989, an amendment to the Plan provide for the implementation of the PRIDE program (Program for Renewal, Improvement, Development, and Economic Revitalization) wherein the Municipality received $100,000 to make improvements to the Municipal Community Centre (i.e. air conditioning, kitchen facilities) and to reconstruct parts of Rue Deslauriers and Rue Municipale.

In December 1992, the 1985 Community Improvement Plan was futher amended for the Village of Val Rita to provide for improvements to several roads utilizing, once again the PRIDE program wherein the municipality received $134,500 in provincial funding of a total project cost of $762,000 for the projects opposite. These projects were also implemented.


5.0 Basis for Community Improvement in 2018 Communities change over time. New houses are built. New businesses may be established, while others close. Infrastructure ages and requires repairs or replacement. The demographic ages or changes and new services are required. Building strong, resilient communities that are sustainable over the long term is an ongoing challenge to Municipal Councils and to residents and businesses. Val Rita is no different.


Val Rita (see Figure 1) is a village largely low density residential in character whose main street is Highway 11. The residential land use pattern consists of 131 single detached dwellings, two 5-plexes, a seniors retirement residence (8 units) and two other multiple residential dwellings for a total of some 150 residences. There are 25 vacant residentially zoned lots, fully serviced with water and sewage services and 2 large blocks of vacant land.


Figure 1

Community facilities include the municipal office, municipal works complex, a large community park, a decommissioned school with a library and recreational facilities, a vacant church, and a vacant residence owned by Northeastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services previously used to house children. Local food production is facilitated with 7 community garden plots.

Non-residential land uses include a service station and repair garage, a motel, a cabinet maker, and a chip stand. The grocery store was closed such that there is no local supplier of grocery items.

The Village enjoys the benefits of full water (Figure 2) and sewage services (Figure 3) designed for a community of 1,500 and which operate at an estimated 40% capacity. The municipality recently (2017) undertook to install a piped storm sewer system along Rue de L’Eglise to resolve water pooling (flooding). Sidewalks were also installed along part of the street. The system discharges to the south side of Highway 11. Other community improvements include the conversion to LED street lighting (2012). The village is fully serviced with hydro, natural gas and internet services although improvements to the latter would provide better communications capability.

The Township is exploring a potential partnership in a rural transportation service with three other adjacent municipalities along the Highway 11 corridor. The rural transit service may be funded in part by MTO (with a five year funding commitment) to provide a shuttle service among the participating municipalities and enable users to access the commercial hub in Kapuskasing as well as other community services dispersed amongst the four municipalities.


Figure 2

The Township undertook an Asset Management Study in 2013 (Municipal Asset Management Plan, KPMG, and December 31, 2013). The resulting Asset Management Plan (AMP) identified an expenditure requirements of approximately $1.3 million annually designed to maintain core services such as roads, water, wastewater, bridges, buildings and rolling stock. The AMP proposed three scenarios for financing required capital improvements needed to maintain the life cycle spending targets for infrastructure, buildings and rolling stock. The municipality is dependent on grants as well as local taxation needed to fully implement the AMP. The recent improvement to storm sewer facilities is an example of the infrastructure improvements required to implement the asset management strategy.

The basis for community improvement is not only the continued responsibility for providing high quality municipal services, but is also driven by the need for investment in economic development. While a small village community cannot be expected to provide a broad spectrum of commercial, social and recreational services characteristic or larger neighbours such as Kaspuskasing, there is an intrinsic need to provide services and conveniences that support the existing community and encourage further growth. The lack of a grocery store or convenience store in Val Rita, as an example, means that local residents have to drive some 14 km (17 minutes) to purchase convenience items. There is no coffee shop or eatery in the village as well. To resolve the need for a convenience store, the municipality will consider converting part of the former school as a co-op for providing basic grocery items and a food concession.


Figure 3

The former school has been converted in part to a community centre; however, the facility is still owned by the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB). The building requires an energy refit to operate cost effectively from an energy standpoint. Two different heating systems complicate the potential refit. Options include demolishing the school addition which is electrically heated or retrofitting this addition. (See Figure 4 for land uses)

Another resource is the vacant residence owned by Northeastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services, a facility which could be converted to a multiple-unit residence or a community facility.

The water treatment plant has been assessed by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) and requires remediation (Water Treatment Plant: Infrastructure Assessment, OCWA, December 12, 2017). Infrastructure improvements include exercising one of the options to retrofit an aging water treatment system: rehabilitate and retrofit existing conventional treatment plant ($1,070,000); install a new package treatment plant ($1,375,000); or, install a filtration unit with chlorination ($945,000).


Figure 4

Improvements to roads will be ongoing. Currently the municipality allocates just over $200,000 annually to road construction. As evidenced by past community improvement plans and by the recent reconstruction of Rue De L’Eglise, roads will need maintenance and upgrading on an ongoing basis in Val Rita.

Playgrounds are an important asset to young families and the Village has a central park within a reasonable walking distance from the surrounding residential neighbourhood; however, the playground furniture needs to be updated to meet current safety standards and to provide a dynamic recreational area for young children.

The condition of the housing stock and the supply of land/lots for new housing is a vital component to building and sustaining strong, resilient communities. The Township policies of the Official Plan (6(3)(a)(i)) are intended to provide for a range of housing types “from single detached dwellings to medium density housing in the form of low-rise apartments and townhouses.” The focus is on infill on existing lots of record “in order to complete existing patterns.” Development can also take place along existing roads in through new lot creation. Compatibility among housing styles is also important “so as to minimize any adverse impact on existing or proposed adjoining residential lots.” Council is also interested in facilitating affordable housing.

Residential areas are also intended to include parks which “shall be continually inspected and upgraded to ensure a range of activities for residents.”

There is a significant land supply for new residential development including some 25 existing vacant lots and 2 large blocks which in combination could provide for at least 50 housing units. The municipality owns the large blocks of land as well as 16 vacant lots of record. Council is willing to sell these lots for new housing and can provide financial incentives through a combination of measures such as waiving building permit fees, and providing property tax relief through a tax increment equivalent grant.

Other financial incentives may be directed towards the repair and upgrading of residences. Examples include: retrofits for persons with disabilities; weatherproofing, energy retrofits or general repairs designed to maintain or improve the assessment value of a residential dwelling unit. Conditions may be imposed in awarding grants or loans to ensure, for example, that performance criteria have been met. This will assist is leveraging expenditures by the private sector (homeowners) through matching grants or a percentage of the homeowner expenditure up to a spending cap.

Other incentives for housing could include the introduction of inclusive zoning to provide more flexibility in the type of dwellings that could be constructed and by reducing the minimum floor area requirement in order to facilitate the construction of more affordable housing (see Figure 5 for current zoning). The zoning by-law could also be revised to comply with the new provisions of the Planning Act in permitting a second unit in an existing dwelling or ancillary building.


The basis for community improvement in the Village of Val Rita encompasses a variety of initiatives required to maintain the existing level of municipal services as well as to stimulate economic development through new housing development, retrofits to the existing housing stock and by re-establishing a commercial service base through a C-Store and/or eatery. Both public and private sector funding is required with the municipality providing leadership through performance based financial incentives.


Figure 5

6.0 Public ConsultationPublic consultation is an integral component of community decision making and is mandated by the Planning Act. The process is similar to the preparation of an official plan or zoning by-law amendment. Planning documents must be available for public scrutiny at least 20 days prior to a public meeting. Circulation of the draft CIP to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs is also required. The public meeting provides an opportunity for public input on the CIP. The formal process may be enhanced through other means of consultation such as a workshop, open house, survey etc.

7.0 Community Improvement Project AreaFor the purposes of the proposed improvements, the Municipality must establish the boundaries of the community improvement project area by by-law. The project area, as indicated below is the Village of Val Rita and this is deemed to constitute the Community Improvement Area for the purposes of the policies and projects of the Community Improvement Plan. The community improvement project area must be established by by-law.


8.0 Community Improvement Plan Policies and Projects

8.1 Community Improvement GoalTo create a strong, resilient village as a place to live, work and play and enjoy a high quality level of community services and infrastructure.

8.1.1 Keynote PolicyCouncil will undertake improvements to the water treatment system, roads, sidewalks, and community park playground facilities; will consider acquisition and retrofit of the former school as a mixed-use facility; and will increase the supply of housing and the retrofit of existing housing.

Council will provide municipal and performance based financial incentives designed to stimulate economic growth and to provide for the implementation of community improvement initiatives.

8.2 Community Improvement ProjectsThe Community Improvement Plan will include a series of projects and initiatives. The details of the financial incentives are set out in Appendix 2.

8.2.1 Water Treatment SystemThe water treatment plant will be remediated to ensure the provision of an adequate quality and quantity of domestic water for the residents and businesses of the village.

The cost of the project is estimated at $1,375,000 to install a new water treatment plant, but the definitive option is yet to be chosen.

The water treatment plant remediation program will be undertaken over the period 2019-2020.

8.2.2 Municipal RoadsBased on the Asset Management Plan, two roads within the village will require reconstruction or remediation in the shorter term (De la Coupe, Des Aulnes).

Roads requiring a higher priority for reconstruction or remediation will be undertaken in compliance with the Asset Management Strategy.

The cost of road reconstruction/remediation is estimated at $ 600,000.

The road reconstruction/remediation will be undertaken over the period 2019-2023.


8.2.3 PlaygroundsPlayground will be upgraded or replaced in the municipal park.

Cost of replacement playground furniture is estimated at $ 40,000

Playground furniture will be replaced over the period 2020-2022

8.2.4 New HousingNew housing stock will be added through the marketing of serviced residential lots owned by the municipality. Lots will be sold at market value and development of the lot shall occur within two years of the sale or the lot will revert to the municipality. Council will undertake a tax deferral that will provide for an incremental increase in the municipal portion of the property tax levy over a period of five years. In year 1, the tax relief will be 100% and will decline incrementally by 20% each year thereafter until year 5 when the full amount of taxes will be required. Tax relief will only apply to lots that have been developed and tax reductions will commence in the year the occupancy permit and final, inspection of a new dwelling are completed. The municipality will also waive building permit fees for building permits for new dwellings. The municipality will rezone the residential district to provide for more inclusive zoning to allow a wide range of housing types including those that cater to low and moderate incomes. The zoning by-law will also be amended to provide for second residential units. The municipality will also work with the Northeastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services to facilitate the conversion or use of the building for affordable housing units.

The cost of the tax relief program will be up to $25,000 per year over the five year period 2019-2024.

The cost of the building permit fee exemption program will be $10,000 per year over the five year period 2019-2024.

Amending zoning by-law for 2nd residential units and inclusionary zoning - $1,500

8.2.5 Home Renewal ProgramHome renewal loans will be offered to assist with home repairs and renovations that improve energy efficiency and accessibility for residents with disabilities. Loans will be available for installing or retrofitting a dwelling with facilities to assist disabled persons and for energy retrofits including replacement of windows, weatherproofing, installation of wind, solar, geothermal and heat pump (non-fossil fuel) systems to a maximum of 25% of the net costs (exclusive of any other grants or subsidies) to a maximum of $5,000 per household. The interest rate will be prime plus 1%.

The cost of the home renewal program will be $30,000 per year for three years (2019-2021). After 2021, grants will be distributed from the repayment of loans.

Administrative arrangements will be made to recover defaulted repayments and to levy interest charges.


8.2.6 School Site Acquisition and RedevelopmentThe Township will consider purchasing the former elementary school (Ecole catholique Ste-Rita) from the Cochrane DSSAB and converting the school to a multi-use community facility following an energy audit and retrofit. The municipality would lease room spaces in the school as an incubator for new businesses and for a convenience store/food concession. The school addition to the rear of the main section would be assessed for retention or demolition. The municipality would also provide an entrepreneurial grant to assist in the costs of retrofitting a building for a new or expanding business in the school or in the community. A grant of 10% up to a maximum of $5,000 will be offered provided the business is incorporated and at least one new job is created.

Purchase of School (cost to be determined)

Energy Audit $ 1,000

Energy retrofit $40,000

General Building retrofit $25,000

Exterior Digital Sign $10,000

Convenience store/eatery start-up $100,000

Entrepreneurial Grant $30,000

8.3 Community ConsultationCommunity consultation is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act. The municipality will also circulate the draft Community Improvement Plan to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for comments.

8.4 ImplementationThe implementation and interpretation of this community improvement plan shall be in accordance with the respective policies of the Township of Val Rita-Harty Official Plan.


Appendix 1 – Community Improvement Project Area By-law

Corporation of the Township of Val-Rita-Harty

By-law No. ____________

Being a By-law to establish a Community Improvement Project Area

Whereas section 28(2) of the Planning Act enables a municipality to designate a community improvement project area subject to an official plan being in effect in the municipality;

And whereas the Township of Val Rita-Harty has an official plan in effect that sets out policies for community improvement;

And whereas the Council intends to prepare a community improvement plan for the Village of Val Rita;

Now therefore the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Val Rita-Harty resolves:

1. That the Village of Val Rita is hereby designated as a community improvement project area.

2. That the boundaries of the Village of Val Rita Community Improvement Project Area are hereby shown in Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto and forming part of this by-law.

3. That this by-law shall come into force and take effect on the date of its passing thereof.

Read a first and second time this ___day of_______, 2018.

Read a third time and finally passed this ____day of _______, 2018

______________________ ______________________

Mayor Clerk


SCHEDULE ‘A’ TO BY-LAW NO. _________________

Val Rita Community Improvement Project Area


Appendix 2 – Community Improvement Financial Incentives

1. New Housing Development

A. Municipal Property Sales Grant

Purpose To stimulate private investment in properties by selling municipally-ownedProperties (residential building lots) for less than market value.

Grant Amount & Disbursement

Council will consider the sale of municipally-owned property at up to 90% less than market value.

Eligible Costs N/AApplicable Project Areas All municipal-owned properties proposed for a residential, multi-residential, seniors

housing, or affordable housing in the Val Rita Community Improvement Project Area.

Additional Requirements Potential purchasers of municipally-owned land will be required to submit detailed building plans suitable for issuing a building permit describing the proposal.

Council, with recommendations from Staff, will determine the percentage below market value, if any, that the Township will sell the property for (up to the maximum amounts established by these guidelines) based on the development’s design performance and the benefit to the public generated by the project, as determined by Council.

The purchaser will have two years to complete the development of the property. Should this not be met, council has the option to re-purchase the property at the original price or to extend the agreement.

The Township will retain a right-of-first refusal to purchase the vacant property, at the original price, should the purchaser choose to divest the property prior toconstruction.


B. Property Tax Increment Grant

Purpose To stimulate private investment and to promote the undertaking of new housing construction


The grant will be distributed to eligible property owners who have purchased a residential building lot from the municipality.

The total amount of the grant provided will not exceed the value of the work that resulted in the reassessment.

This grant excludes the education portion of the tax bill. The Township is only able to rebate the municipal portion of the tax bill.

The grant is based on the assessed value at the date of the application.

For multi-residential, seniors housing, or affordable housing projects, and residential projects in Val Rita:

The grant provided over 5 years, where the tax increase is paid back to the applicant as follows:

- 100% rebate in year 1- 80% rebate in year 2- 60% rebate in year 3- 40% rebate in year 4- 20% rebate in year 5

The owner is paying based on the full assessed amount in year 6.

The Grant will be disbursed as follows:- 100% after payment of taxes, once the property has been

reassessed by MPAC, following completion of the CIP project.

The Township will collect the full amount of property taxes owed for each of the years of the program’s applicability and will issue the grant to the approved applicant after final tax bills for each year have been collected. If the tax bill is not paid in full, the Township will cancel all future grants and collect past grants made as part of this program.

The grant will not be provided based on a graduated reassessment by MPAC if done prior to completion of the project.


Additional Requirements Minimum increase in assessment: $25,000, directly related to a building permit for CIP improvements.

The Tax Increment Grant may be received by a property owner and/or assignee in combination with any other incentive program offered by the CIP.

Property owners and/or assignees will be required to submit a complete building permit application to the Township for a new dwelling. The Township will review the application to ensure that the improvements are eligible. For the purpose of this program, eligible improvements are new residential buildings.

Projects are required to be in compliance with the Township’s other By-laws and policies, including zoning and building regulations.

The subject property shall not be in a position of tax arrears or any other financial obligation towards the Township.

This program does not exempt property owners from an increase in municipal taxes due to a general tax rate increase or a change in assessment for any other reason after property has been improved, except by reason of an assessment appeal.

The grant will be forfeited and repaid to the Township if the owner makes the decision to demolish or alter the property in a manner that does not comply with the CIP objectives before the grant period elapses.

If the property is sold prior to completion of the project and receipt of the grant, subsequent owners may re-apply to the Township to be eligible to receive the grant.

If the property is sold after completion of the project, and while the tax increment grant is being received, the grant expires upon transfer of ownership. Subsequent owners are not eligible to continue receiving the grant for the tax increase associated with the project which has already been completed.

The grant amount will be established after the final inspection of the improvements in accordance with the OBC, and MPAC has established a new assessment value based on the building permit for the CIP project.

In the case of an assessment appeal, the Township and the owner shall come to an agreement regarding appropriate alteration of the grant as a result of the appeal.


C. Building and Planning Application Rebate Grant

Purpose To stimulate private investment in properties by reducing applicable municipal fees related to a CIP improvement project which leads to the construction of a new dwelling or home renewal and accessibility


Building Permit Fees: up to 100% reduction in building permit fees; up to a maximum of $2,500

Zoning By-law Amendment Application Fee: up to100% reduction in building permit fees; up to a maximum of $1,000

Minor Variance Application Fee: up to100% reduction in building permit fees; up to a maximum of $500

Demolition Permit Fees: up to 100% reduction in demolition permit fees; up to a maximum of $500

The Grant will be disbursed as follows:- 100% upon completion of the work.

Eligible Costs Grant applies to:- Building permit fees for residential improvements related to a CIP

improvement including new construction, retrofits and accessibility projects

- Planning Application fees for zoning by-law amendments and minor variances

- Demolition permit fees for demolitions related to CIP improvements

Applicable Project Areas All businesses and residential properties located within the Val Rita Community Improvement Project Area

Additional Requirements None.


2. Home Renewal Program

A. Accessibility Improvement Grant Program

Purpose To promote the undertaking of building accessibility improvements.Grant Amount & Disbursement

Matching grant of up to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum grant of $5,000, whichever is less, per property;

The Grant will be disbursed as follows:- 100% on Final Completion

Eligible Costs Provision of accessibility improvements, including:- Installation of wheelchair ramps;- Installation of automatic doors;- Installation of other accessibility improvements external to the

building; and- Any other related work as approved by the Township.

Applicable Project Areas All businesses and multi-residential developments located within the Val Rita Community Improvement Project Area.

Additional Requirements Minimum improvement costs: $2,000

Applicants will submit design drawings, architectural/engineering plans, a work plan indicating proposed improvements, and a cost estimate for the works.

The grant will be paid based on the actual cost of the work, up to the amount approved in the application.

All completed drawings/plans must comply with the description of the work plan as provided in the grant application form.


B. Home Renewal Energy Efficiency Loan Program

Purpose To promote the undertaking of building accessibility improvements that lead to greater energy efficiency and reduced green house gas emissions


Loan of up to a maximum of 25% of net eligible costs (exclusive of other provincial or federal grant programs) up to a maximum loan of $5,000, whichever is less, per property;

The loan will be disbursed as follows:- 100% on Final Completion OAC

Eligible Costs Provision of improvements, including:- Installation of high energy furnace, heat-pump or geothermal heat

source, solar panels and wind turbine- Installation of residential electrical vehicle recharge station- installing or retrofitting a dwelling including replacement of

windows, weatherproofing, upgrading insulation to Ontario Building Code 2018 standards

- Any other related work as approved by the Township.Applicable Project Areas All residential developments located within the Val Rita Community Improvement

Project Area.Additional Requirements Minimum improvement costs: $2,000

Energy audit pre and post improvement required to demonstrate value of energy improvements

Applicants will submit design drawings, architectural/engineering plans, a work plan indicating proposed improvements, and a cost estimate for the works.

The loan will be paid based on the actual cost of the work, up to the amount approved in the application.Interest rate will be prime + 1%

All completed drawings/plans must comply with the description of the work plan as provided in the application form.


3. Entrepreneurial Grant ProgramPurpose To stimulate private and public sector investment within the CIP area. Intent is to

encourage new business development or the expansion of existing businessesGrant Amount & Disbursement

The total amount of financial assistance provided by the Township shall be up to 10% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $5,000.

Financial assistance can be provided in the form of a grant

The financial assistance will be provided upon 100% completion of the project.

Eligible Costs Eligible costs include but are not limited to construction (including new buildings or improvements to existing facilities), site servicing and the acquisition of furniture, equipment and other chattels. Expenditures must be for capital costs only for establishing a new business or expanding an existing business.

Applicable Project Areas Val Rita Community Improvement Project Area.Additional Requirements Projects are required to be in compliance with the Township’s other By-laws and

policies, including zoning and building regulations.

Minimum private sector investment must be $5,000.

Proponents will be required to submit a complete application to the Township. The application must be submitted to the Town and approved prior to construction or other eligible costs commencing in order to be eligible for this program. The Township will review the application to ensure that the project is eligible, which may include due diligence concern the proponent and the project. The Township reserves the right to decline any project which may otherwise be eligible based on the results of its due diligence procedures or other concerns as may be identified by the Township.

Proponents will be required to enter into an agreement with the Township concerning the assistance provided, which may include the requirement for proponents to provide security to the Township as a condition of the assistance.

The amount of assistance will be established after the final inspection of the construction in accordance with the OBC, and MPAC has established a new assessment value based on the building permit for the CIP project.


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