City officials want to update a program that has helped transform Brownfield sites into homes.
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Implemented in 2005, the Brownfield community improvement plan led to the construction of 448 homes on six properties. The properties were identified as brownfields – sites that require remediation including the removal of contaminated soil – by the city.
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Construction of a seventh proposed housing development on a brownfield has been approved but hasn’t yet started. When finished, the proposal will result in 316 more homes.
The results of the program are included in a report scheduled to be presented to city councilors at a May 14 committee meeting.
Under the existing program the city supports remediation efforts through a reduction of development charges and property tax rebates.
By way of example, if a site remediation costs $250,000 and the development charges amount to $300,000, the city would reduce the development charges by $250,000.
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Under the property tax program, the city continues to collect the pre-redevelopment property taxes. However, the city rebates to the developer the post-redevelopment tax increase
If the property taxes were $25,000 prior to the re-development and increased to $75,000 post-redevelopment, the city would continue to collect the original $25,000. The remaining $50,000 would be rebated to cover remediation costs.
Combined, the six completed housing projects have generated an additional $979,430 in municipal tax assessment, the report says.
The redevelopment projects took place at 33 Jarvis St., 180 Dalhousie St., 115 Sherwood Dr., 585 Colborne St. E., 232 Grand River Ave., and 7 Erie Ave.
The seventh proposal calls for 316 residential units to be built in a seven-storey apartment building at 354 West St.
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The city is considering three other applications to the program and has identified about 50 other properties that could be redeveloped under the program.
City officials want to review the self-funded program to see what changes, if any, could be introduced
Plans call for city staff to investigate what other cities including Hamilton, Guelph, Kingston, Windsor, Kitchener are St. Catharines are doing to help remediate their brownfields.
One possibility is introducing higher value financial incentives to encourage construction of affordable or dedicated rental housing.
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