Using Planning Tools to Support Farm Viability - How Do Community Improvement Plans work for Value Added Agriculture? Presented by Zach Gable, Haldimand County

1. Using Planning Tools to Support Farm
Viability:
How do Community Improvement Plans
work for Value Added Ag?
November 3rd, Municipal Agriculture
Economic Development Forum

2. Total population:
45,000+
5 “Urban” Centres
Major Industries:
 Manufacturing
 Health Care
 Agriculture
Tourism
development is a
focus for the
division
Haldimand County

3. 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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

9. 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

10. 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%

11. 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

12. Hamlets - Façade Improvement
Façade
Improvement Project
Hamlet of Fisherville
Project approved for
$10,000 towards
$20,325

13. Heritage Commercial Use
Heritage
Commercial Use,
Façade
Improvement and
Fee Rebate
Hamlet of York
$27,295 in grants
leveraged
$125,000+

14. Commercial Roofed Accommodations
Heritage
Commercial Use,
Building
Restoration and
Fee rebates
Dunnville
$19,362
leveraged a total
of $35,716

15. Value Added Agriculture
Building
Restoration and Fee
rebates
South Cayuga
$13,388 leveraging
$23,266

16. 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

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