A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool available to municipalities under Section 28 of the Planning Act. CIPs are living strategies that guide the revitalization of communities through programs, grants and incentives, addressing the reuse and restoration of lands, buildings and infrastructure, energy efficiency, growth management challenges and planning for rehabilitation, development and land use change in defined areas. To carry out CIPs, municipalities can establish grants, loans and other programs to encourage private sector investment in development and renovation projects which seek to improve areas in accordance with local goals and priorities. CIPs can be used to promote and attract tourism, business investments and economic development.
Downtown CIP
Township Council adopted the original Downtown CIP in 2013 to help stimulate investment in the downtown areas of Beaverton, Cannington, and Sunderland. The Downtown CIP provides financial incentives to stimulate private investment to lands in the downtowns and helps to promote beautification, commercial revitalization, tourism, residential choice, intensification of properties, preservation of heritage and architectural buildings, and sustainable development within the downtown cores.
How can the CIP help business and property owners?
Private property owners and businesses can take advantage of the financial incentive programs contained in the CIPs to achieve a range of community improvement goals, such as improving property facades and redeveloping property.
Over the past 10 years, several local businesses in all three communities have benefitted from the Downtown CIP grant program to help with façade improvements and residential rehabilitation.
Downtown CIP Review
In 2023-24, a review of the CIP was undertaken to assess implementation of the CIP and determine if any adjustments and updates were necessary for successful implementation of the Plan.
WSP Canada Inc. was retained by the Township to undertake a review and update the Downtown CIP to promote continued investment in the downtowns of Brock.
This review project was funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Region of Durham.
Virtual Public Open House – April 30, 2024
A virtual public open house was held to provide an opportunity to learn more about the project and to provide input on the potential financial incentive programs and project area.
Public Open House Presentation
In-Person Stakeholder Workshop – May 2, 2024
An in-person Stakeholder Workshop was held to provide an opportunity to learn more about the project and for businesses and property owners to provide input on the proposed financial incentive programs and project area.
Statutory Public Meeting - May 27, 2024
A Public Meeting was held under Section 28 of the Planning Act to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed Downtown CIP.
Council Adopted New Downtown CIP
On June 24, 2024, Council adopted a new Downtown CIP to replace the 2013 version. The Downtown CIP aims to promote and encourage revitalization and economic development within the downtown areas. The revised Downtown CIP establishes a suite of financial incentive programs to address a broad range of community improvement and revitalization priorities within the downtown areas.
The Downtown CIP includes 8 financial incentive programs as outlined below:
- Planning and Building Fees Program
- Development Charges Program
- Façade Improvement Program
- Signage Improvement Program
- Property Improvement Program
- Downtown Housing Program
- Commercial Support Program
- Priority Property Program
Downtown Community Improvement Plan (2024)
Notice of Passing (June 27, 2024)
By-law 3276-2024 - Community Improvement Project Area
By-law 3277-2024 - Downtown CIP
For more information, please contact Robin Prentice, Director of Development Services at the Township of Brock at robin.prentice@brock.ca or give her a call at 705-432-2355 ext. 235.