Development Charge Grant Program provides a grant equal to between 50% and 100% of the City Development Charge paid to promote redevelopment on commercial and mixed use properties. The grant is based on LEED certification. The grant is only available in the Commercial Core (Target Area 1). This grant has never been used because most owners do not want to spend the extra cost to bring buildings to LEED certification. Also, since development charges were lowered significantly in the older core areas of the City there is no real reason to try and reduce development charges any further.
Development and Building Fees Grant Program provides a Grant equal to 100% of the fees paid for a wide range of development application and building permit fees once the project is completed. The Grant is available in the entire CIP Area.
Neighbourhood Residential Rehabilitation Grant Program provides a grant equal to 50% of the cost of eligible exterior building maintenance and property improvement for residential properties. Minimum grant is $2,000 and the Maximum grant is $15,000 per property. Maximum of one application per property. This grant promotes maintenance and physical improvement of property and because there is a maximum of one application per property this promotes a more comprehensive improvement.
At its regular meeting held on October 7, 2019, Council passed a resolution (CR503/2019 DHSC 89) to amend the Sandwich Town CIP. This plan will be amended in the future to include additional financial incentives.
Building Facade Improvement Program for Main Streets CIP: The Program builds on recent investment in municipal infrastructure improvements, such as road rehabilitation and streetscape projects and leverages public investment by encouraging the physical improvement of building facades along traditional Main Streets by offering a Commercial/Mixed-Use Building Façade grant.
Through the Financial Incentive Program, the City will match 50% of the costs for eligible building facade and storefront restoration improvements to commercial and mixed-use buildings within the designated Main Street area up to a maximum of $30,000 per project to a maximum of $60,000 per project for larger buildings with multiple storefronts. Grants will also be provided for certain building and development fees for eligible projects. All improvements are reviewed by the Planning & Building Department based on the Urban Design Guidelines identified in the CIP.
There have been discussions regarding amending this CIP to include additional incentive programs for traditional main streets included within this CIP.
Ford City Community Improvement Plan: This CIP captures the goals and vision gathered through background studies, community conversations and surveys. The following incentive programs are offered:
Municipal Development Fees Grant Program: property owners are eligible to receive a grant for 100% of the specified Municipal Development Fees, up to a