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 applicant 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. The reduction would be calculated based on already reduced core area development charges.
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 industrial property supports the following CIP goals:
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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;
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Improve the physical and visual quality of brownfield sites;
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Improve environmental health and public safety;
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Provide opportunities for new housing, employment uses, and commercial uses;
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Increase tax assessment and property tax revenues;
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Improving the land use compatibility of potential brownfield sites with surrounding land uses;
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Increase community awareness of the economic, environmental and social benefits of brownfield redevelopment; and
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Utilize public sector investment to leverage significant private sector investment in brownfield remediation, rehabilitation, adaptive re-use, and redevelopment.
Policy Support
The clean up and redevelopment of the site is supported by numerous policies within the 2014 Provincial Policy Statement, the City’s Official Plan, and the City’s Environmental Master Pan.