Community Improvement Plan

The purpose of the Town of Arnprior Community Improvement Plan (“CIP”) is to establish a framework for the revitalization of the areas of the Town in need of improvement or revitalization.

The Town of Arnprior CIP establishes a suite of incentive programs that can be used to directly stimulate private sector investment.

• Applicants must be the owner of the property or an agent for the owner or tenant with written consent from the owner.
• All incentives are subject to Council's approval.
• Complete applications must be submitted and approved before any work begins or before any applications for permits are submitted. Submitting applications or beginning any work for the project will make it ineligible.
• All proposed projects must meet all criteria outlined in the Community Improvement Plan.
• The property owner must not have outstanding tax arrears and must be in good standing with regard to taxation at the time of application and throughout the incentive benefit period.
• All incentive program applications must include completed application forms, 2 quotes for any project costs and supporting materials such as detailed work plans, applicable reports, and any additional information as required by the Town.
• Works must be in accordance with all Town by-laws, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines in order to be approved.
• The proposed exterior design of buildings, including signage must follow the CIP Design Guidelines as outlined in Appendix A of the Community Improvement Plan.
• At completion, community improvement projects must be consistent with the project description contained in the approved application in order to receive the approved funding.

• Applies to properties designated as Downtown Area, Mixed Use Residential / Commercial Area and Mixed Use Commercial / Employment Area
• Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $2500.

• The following types accessibility improvements are considered eligible:
  a. Installation of new automatic doors and door openers;
  b. Widening of public entryways;
  c. Installation of an accessible washroom;
  d. Leveling or repairs to pathways/accesses that serve as ramps and stairs; and
  e. Any combination of the above improvements.

• Applies to properties designated as Downtown Area, Mixed Use Residential / Commercial Area and Mixed Use Commercial / Employment Area
• The lesser of 50% of application fees or $5000

• Eligible community improvement projects under this program will include:
  a. Large and small scale development;
  b. Redevelopment;
  c. Construction and reconstruction of lands and buildings for rehabilitation purposes
  or for the provision of energy efficient uses; and
  d. Buildings, structures, works, improvements or facilities, that in the opinion of Council in consultation with the Review Panel, are generally consistent with and maintain the intent of the Design Guidelines (Appendix A).

• Applies to properties designated as Downtown Area, Mixed Use Residential / Commercial Area and Mixed Use Commercial / Employment Area
• Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $5000 per new registered business.

• Business owners are eligible for the Business Location, Expansion and Start-Up Grant
  provided:
  a. the business is registered with the Town of Arnprior; and
  b. the business is locating to a space that is equivalent in gross floor area to their
  current location or larger; or
  c. the expansion of the business, in its new or current location represents an increase
  in gross floor area by a minimum of 50%; or
  d. the business is new and has not previously been registered with the Town of Arnprior.

• Applies to properties that are classified as Brownfield sites within the Community Improvement Project Area, which includes all lands within the Town’s municipal boundary, are eligible for this program. Brownfield properties are considered to be properties that are (or are perceived to be) contaminated as a result of a prior land use (e.g., a former gas station).

  In order to be eligible for tax assistance, the property must have had a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment which concluded that action needs to be taken to remediate the site.

• The value of the BRTAP will be calculated on a case-by-case basis depending on the property
  and the type of tax assistance being applied for (Municipal or Provincial).

• Applies to properties designated as Downtown Area, Mixed Use Residential / Commercial Area and Mixed Use Commercial / Employment Area
• Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $5000.

• The following types of façade restorations, repairs or property improvements are considered eligible:
  a. repair or replacement of storefront doors and windows;
  b. repair or replacement of masonry and brickwork;
  c. repair or replacement of architectural details;
  d. repair or replacement of awnings or canopies, or installation of new awnings or canopies;
  e. façade painting, including murals, as well as cleaning or treatments to improve the durability;
  f. the addition of new lighting/upgrading of existing fixtures on exterior façade and in entrance and storefront display areas;
  g. architectural/design fees required by a licensed Architect for eligible works (to a maximum of 15% of the approved grant amount); and
  h. other similar repairs/improvements as may be considered and approved by
  Council in consultation with the Review Panel.

• Applies to properties that are located within the Community Improvement Project Area and are designated under Part IV of the Heritage Act or located in the Heritage Conservation District, and designated under Part V of the Heritage Act.
• Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $7500.

• The following types of projects, improvements to or restoration of eligible buildings and properties are considered eligible:
  a) works that preserve, restore, and/or enhance elements specified in the Reasons for Designation within the designating by-law (including fences and outbuildings) for properties which are designated under Part IV of the Heritage Act;
  b) repair of original siding and roofing materials;
  c) removal of modern building materials and replacement with documented original building materials;
  d) reconstruction or construction of former and significant architectural features based on documentary sources (photographs, drawings, etc.);
  e) cleaning of masonry buildings;
  f) improvement of buildings or properties designated as part of the Downtown Heritage Conservation District which are in accordance with the Heritage Conservation District Master Plan Design Guidelines (as determined through approval of a heritage permit) are eligible for this program;
  g) an economic feasibility study to determine the viability of restoring and/or adaptively re-using a heritage property (up to a maximum of $2,500 or 50% of the approved grant amount, whichever is lesser);
  h) an architectural or design study prepared in relation to the property owner’s intent to
  restore an eligible heritage property (up to a maximum of $2,500 or 50% of the approved grant amount, whichever is lesser); and
  i) other similar repairs/improvements as may be approved.

• Applies to properties designated as Downtown Area, Mixed Use Residential / Commercial Area and Mixed Use Commercial / Employment Area on Schedule A of the Town of Arnprior Official Plan
• Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $5000

• Eligible parking and landscaped areas shall only include front, side or rear parking or
  landscaped areas that are visible from the public street. The Town shall have discretion
  regarding which parking or landscaped areas are eligible based on funding availability,
  visibility and other considerations.

• Applies to properties designated as Downtown Area on Schedule A of the Town of Arnprior Official Plan.
• Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $2500.

• The following sidewalk café costs are considered eligible:
  a. Professional fees directly related to the design of the temporary sidewalk café(architects, designers, engineers, etc..);
  b. Construction of the temporary sidewalk re-alignment, raised patios, overhangs/roofs,stairs, railings and handrails; and
  c. Installation of the temporary sidewalk re-alignment, raised patios, overhangs/roofs,stairs, railings and handrails.

• Applies to properties designated as Downtown Area, Mixed Use Residential / Commercial Area and Mixed Use Commercial / Employment Area on Schedule A of the Town of Arnprior Official Plan
• Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $500

• The following types signage improvements are considered eligible:
  a. Replacement, repair, improvement or installation of signage on building façades,
  including signage lighting;
  b. Stand-alone permanent signs located in front or side yards;
  c. The removal of temporary sign units utilized as permanent signage solutions;
  d. Any other signage-related work approved by the Town; and
  e. Any combination of the above