Community Improvement Plans

Community Improvement Plan Review

The Town of Lincoln is in the process of reviewing its Community Improvement Plans (CIPs). The Town currently has four Council-approved CIPs and a Heritage Grant program that provide grants for various projects ranging from restoration and improvements for designated heritage buildings to grants for investment attraction and job creation, as well as one focused on mixed-use and residential intensification (see the list below for the status of the existing CIPs).

The review focuses on the Beamsville, Vineland and Mixed-Use CIPs. As part of the review, a draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use CIP has been prepared to replace the Beamsville, Vineland and Mixed-Use CIPs. Although aspects of the Beamsville, Vineland and Mixed-Use CIPs are to be included in the draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use CIP, the draft CIP focuses on attainable housing (affordable housing) and commercial and mixed-use development.

The goals of the Attainable and Mixed-Use CIP are to:

• Increase the supply of attainable (affordable) rental and ownership housing.
• Increase the supply of rental housing.
• Increase the amount of commercial floor space.
• Encourage the revitalization of buildings within commercial areas.
• Increase the supply of tourism accommodation.
• Ensure that projects include exceptional urban design.
• Encourage the inclusion of green infrastructure and other climate change initiatives within projects.
• Support improvements to the public realm.

As part of the CIP review, minor changes are proposed to the Industrial Lands and Rural Areas CIP:

• The development charge reduction incentives programs will be changed to a development charge equivalent grant program similar to the incentive programs provided in the draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use CIP. This change is designed to provide a grant equal to the Town's development charges normally payable.
• The term of the tax increment financing grant programs is to be changed from 10 years to 5 years to align with the draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use CIP.
• Some housekeeping changes are proposed to update the information and policies within that CIP.

Next Steps

• On Monday, July 4, 2022, the Committee of the Whole considered Report AD-11-22, which provided an update on the financial analysis of the community improvement plan financial incentive programs and a draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use Community Improvement Plan. The draft CIP was received for information. Report AD-11-22 also outlined some proposed changes to the Industrial Lands and Rural Areas CIP.
• A public meeting to obtain input on the draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use CIP and the changes to the Industrial Lands and Rural Areas CIP is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2022. The notice of the public meeting and supporting documents are posted below:
  • September 7, 2022, Notice of Public Meeting
  • Draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use CIP
  • Proposed changes to the Industrial Lands and Rural Areas CIP
• On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, the Committee of the Whole will consider an information report regarding the draft Attainable Housing and Mixed-Use CIP and the proposed changes to the Industrial Lands and Rural Areas CIP. The staff report will be available before the September 7, 2022, meeting.

Status of Existing CIPs

Below is a list of the existing CIPs and Heritage Grants and their year of approval. All of these have defined project areas. Funding for the Beamsville, Vineland and Mixed-Use CIPs is currently on hold pending the completion of a new CIP to replace those 3 CIPS and approval of funding in the 2023 budget for the financial incentive programs. Funding for the Industrial/Rural CIP is currently on hold pending minor changes to that CIP (as noted above) and approval of funding in the 2023 Budget for the financial incentive programs. Funding for Heritage Grants is currently on hold, pending funding approval in the 2023 budget.