The program offers annual grants funded through the increase in municipal property tax levy created by the investment for up to 10 years to help offset eligible costs. In total the Tax Assistance and Rehabilitation Grant programs may offer up to 13 years of tax-based incentives. The annual grants are based on 70% of the difference between the municipal tax levy at the time of grant issuance and the date of approval to participate in the program. Annual grants are only paid out following the filing of a RSC, reassessment of the property and the payment of the property taxes for the year in which the grant is to be provided.

The CIP specifies Brownfield Rehabilitation Grants will equal 70% of the municipal property tax increase for a project that employs standard construction methods and 100% of the municipal property tax increase for projects that achieve any level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Should Council wish to approve less than the maximum Brownfield Rehabilitation Grant value it would achieve this by limiting how many years the grant payments would continue (i.e. between 1 and 10 years). Or a maximum grant limit may be imposed by Council.

Brownfield Development Charges Exemption Program

There is no application form for this program, however if approved under the Brownfield Rehabilitation Grant Program the owner would automatically receive a 60% reduction in development charges owing in accordance with the Brownfield Redevelopment CIP and the City’s Development Charges By-law (No. 60-2015). Assuming the development employs standard construction methods—the reduction in development charges would be deducted from brownfield rehabilitation grants to be paid out. If any level of LEED certification is achieved the amount of development charges reduction would not be deducted from brownfield rehabilitation grants.

CIP Goals

City staff are supportive of the application as it meets all of the eligibility requirements specified within the Brownfield Redevelopment CIP. The proposed filing of a RSC and redevelopment of the former scrap yard supports the following CIP goals:

• To promote the remediation, rehabilitation, adaptive re-use and redevelopment of brownfield sites throughout the City of Windsor in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner over the long term;

• Improve the physical and visual quality of brownfield sites;

• Improve environmental health and public safety;

• Provide opportunities for new housing, employment uses, and commercial uses;

• Increase tax assessment and property tax revenues;