Integrated Orléans Community Improvement Plan

The principal goals of the Integrated Orléans Community Improvement Plan (CIP) are:

• To integrate all Orléans related Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) into one single CIP for Orléans by combining and adding to the successful elements of both previous Orléans CIPs: the St. Joseph Blvd. CIP, and the Orléans CIP, thus removing redundancies and providing a more efficient CIP for Orleans; and
• To continue to address job creation needs and urban design goals that have been encouraged through the existing CIP programs, by encouraging rehabilitation of lands and buildings and also stimulating development on sites in Transit Oriented Development areas. The Integrated Orléans CIP would also incentivize property owners to create pedestrian friendly streets by providing sidewalkoriented active uses on the ground floors of redevelopment projects which will foster vibrant activity and breathe new life along the area’s main streets and pedestrian/cyclist thoroughfares including those streets that will provide access to the (four) 4 new LRT stations

The plan provides financial incentives for property owners to encourage investment in the redevelopment of properties that currently, or in the past have been developed. For eligible projects, these incentives will be in the form of “Tax Incentive Equivalent Grants (TIEGs),” based on the increase in the property’s contribution to municipal property taxes, resulting from the value created through re-development. After the taxes have been paid each year, and all other accounts with the City are in good standing, the City then reimburses the property owner a percentage of the increment in the municipal property tax each year for a period of up to10 years depending on which program element is applied for. The plan does not apply to greenfield development.

The Program includes three distinct program elements designed to stimulate, and support growth in specific areas as follows:

• St. Joseph Boulevard Main Street Program 
  • To stimulate private investment in property renewal and redevelopment and to attract new employment to the area. The program encourages buildings to be constructed adjacent to the street and supports a more vibrant “main street” experience. The program also promotes land use intensification, supports the establishment of mixed-use development, and improves site and built-form aesthetics.
• Employment Creation Incentive Program
  • To stimulate private investment in property renewal and redevelopment and to attract new employment to the area. The program also promotes land use intensification and supports the establishment of mixed-use development.
• Pedestrian Friendly Streets Program
  • To foster vibrant activity and breathe new life along the area’s main streets and pedestrian/cyclist thoroughfares including those streets that provide access to the four new LRT stations. To encourage development along streets that is conducive to walking, cycling, browsing, and lingering and represent an efficient way to explore the goods and services available in the area and present a wide variety of sidewalk-oriented uses.

Program Details

Documents and Resources:

• Eligibility Checklist
• Staff Report
• By-law 2021-284 A by-law to designate a part of the area covered by the Official Plan for the City of Ottawa as the Integrated Orléans Community Improvement Plan Project Area
• By-law 2021-285 A by-law of the City of Ottawa to adopt the Integrated Orléans Community Improvement Plan. This by-law includes program details.

Program Elements

Applicants may only apply for one Integrated Orléans CIP Program element per redevelopment project. However, Integrated Orléans CIP grants may be combined with other CIP programs, including the Brownfields CIP provided that the total grant and grant commitments from all CIPs shall not exceed:

• For applications to the St. Joseph Boulevard Main Street Program, the City will reimburse successful applicants in the form of an annual Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) equal to seventy per cent (70%) of eligible construction costs, or one million dollars ($1,000,000) maximum; or eighty five per cent (85%) of eligible construction costs or one million dollars ($1,000,000) maximum, if three or more new affordable rental housing units are constructed. The City will provide a grant equivalent to thirty per cent (30%) of the Building Permit fee or forty per cent (40%) of the building permit fee if the project includes 3 or more affordable rental housing units (subject to the maximum total grants above.) The amount of redevelopment work undertaken on the property must result in a minimum increase of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in the assessed value of the property.
• For applications to the Employment Creation Incentive Program, the City will reimburse successful applicants in the form of an annual Tax Increment. Equivalent Grant (TIEG) equal to a cumulative maximum grant of fifty per cent (50%) of eligible construction costs or five million dollars ($5,000,000), whichever is lower. The amount of redevelopment work undertaken on the property will result in a minimum increase of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in the assessed value of the property. Projects must generate a minimum of twenty (20) new permanent full-time jobs. Added jobs must be the result of new companies to the area and/or expansions of existing companies. A relocation of existing employment will not satisfy program criteria.
• For applications to the Pedestrian Friendly Streets Program, the City will reimburse successful applicants in the form of an annual Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) equal to the lesser of fifty dollars ($50) per square foot of ground floor area or two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) maximum. All ground floor rental space in the redeveloped property must be exclusively comprised of sidewalk-oriented ground floor active uses. The amount of redevelopment work undertaken on the property and/or buildings shall result in a minimum increase of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in the assessed value of the property

City Council may discontinue any of the programs at any time but applicants with approved grants will continue to receive grant payments subject to meeting the general and program specific requirements.

Disclaimer:

The information set forth in this checklist is provided solely as general guidance about the eligibility requirements of the Integrated Orléans Community Improvement Plan (“Integrated Orléans CIP”). It is not intended to constitute or replace the relevant By-laws and program documents. No information contained in this checklist, or any oral or written communication should be relied upon as a representation or warranty as to any matter related to the Integrated Orléans CIP and no liability shall attach to any person or entity as a result of such information. This checklist is indicative only. Complete information is contained in By-laws No. 2021 – 285 and 2021-284 and associated program documents.

• All submissions under the Integrated Orléans CIP Development Incentive Grant Program must be for redevelopment (not greenfield development).
• The property is located within the defined boundaries of the Integrated Orléans Community Improvement Plan Project Area as described in By-law 2021-284.
• The project is a redevelopment or replacement of an existing building and is not a Greenfield development.
• The proposed work includes one or more of the following:
  • An addition of building space to an existing building;
  • construction of a new building, where a previous building has been Located;
  • Interior fit-up;
  • Significant alterations to an existing building resulting in improved marketability of the rental premises and a corresponding increase in assessed value
  • Exterir façade improvement facing a public road right-of-way; and
  • Site wrks including landscaping and signage.
• The improvements made to buildings and/or land will be made pursuant to a building permit where required, and/or other required permits, and be constructed in accordance with the Ontario Building Code where applicable.
• Proposed works and associated improvements to buildings and/or land approved under the incentive programs shall conform to all relevant codes, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines, including applicable municipal by-laws, Official Plan policies and zoning requirements and approvals.
• The proposed work to be undertaken on the property and/or buildings is expected to result in a minimum increase of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in the assessed value of the property.
• It can be demonstrated that the project would not otherwise have proceeded in the absence of the incentive.
• In the case of applications to the “Employment Creation Incentive Program” the project will result in a minimum of twenty (20) new permanent full-time jobs. Added jobs must be the result of new companies to the area and/or expansions of existing companies. A relocation of existing employment will not satisfy program criteria
• The property is in a location with significant development potential, specifically those designated as Town Centres, Mixed-Use Centres, Employment Areas, Enterprise Areas, and Main Streets. These areas include locations that are centred on the rapid-transit network, major roads, busy commercial streets
• The property is an area that is already serviced or may be serviced with major roads, transit and piped sewer and water services.
• The owner’s financial account with the City is in good standing (including taxes, water, fines, and all other accounts due).