Two-Tier Municipal Structure in the Niagra Region

Niagara RegionTwo Tiers – One Vision

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Urban Area Boundaries

Setting Foundation – Route to Prosperity & Jobs

Gateway to US Eastern Seaboard Markets



Niagara Region Responsibilities• Waste Management

– Recycling, Garbage Collection and Landfill Operations

• Senior Citizens Programs and Homes• Homelessness Prevention, Hostels and

Emergency Shelter• Social Assistance• Affordable Housing• Child Care Services• Public Health Programs• Tax and Assessment• Police Services • Water and Wastewater Treatment• Regional Roads• Planning and Growth Management• Emergency Response Management• Land Ambulance and Dispatch• Provincial Offences and Court Administration• Culture and Sustainability Planning• Agriculture and Local Food Initiatives


Planning Systems (Land Use and Transportation)

• Constitution Act – “municipal affairs” and land are provincial responsibilities – no specific federal role

• Based on legislation, compliance is required with Provincial expectations – there is some room for “tailoring” to local circumstances

• Many Provincial interests in Planning – Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of the Environment, Niagara Escarpment Commission, Ontario Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Culture, and more coordinated through ‘one window’ at Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing


Where the Money Comes From


Where the Money Goes

Niagara 2031Growth Management Strategy

What Is It?• Process that examines land use and infrastructure to

determine how and where municipalities grow

Why Do It?• Create sustainable plan to accommodate population,

housing and employment growth• Provincial legislative context (P2G, Greenbelt, PPS)

How?• 5-phase plan that engaged a wide range of community

stakeholders



Niagara 2031 - Growth Management Strategy

Key Features:• All Municipalities grow – balances market demand for growth

with land supply and infrastructure capacity

• Meet Provincial objectives – efficient use of land – no urban boundary expansion

• Provides long-term growth in largest urban centres

• Meets Provincial intensification targets and people/jobs targets

• Supports development of economic gateway zone and centre

• Supports “Grow South” strategy

• Provides basis to access Provincial infrastructure funding


Niagara 2031 - Growth Management Strategy


Economic Gateway Strategy


Policy drivers & background

Growth Plan for the Greater Golden

Horseshoe

GHK Gateway Report (2008)

Amendment 2-2009 (Niagara 2031)

Ontario

Region

Region

Local Official Plans & Initiatives

Locals

Designates “Economic Gateway Zone & Centre” in south Niagara

Identifies opportunities and recommended possible incentives strategy

Defines Gateway Zone & Centre in the RPP…provides general direction

Various local initiatives contained in local plans to implement the Gateway




Growth Plan for the Greater Golden

Horseshoe

GHK Gateway Report (2008)

Amendment 2-2009 (Niagara 2031)

Local Official Plans & Initiatives

Gateway Employment Lands Study

Gateway Community Improvement Plan

Other Implementation Studies/Plans

GAP: COMPREHENSIVE

STRATEGY FOR THE GATEWAY LANDS

Market Research

Policy drivers & background

Key Findings of the ELS


• Estimated 2020 hectares of vacant designated employment land in the Gateway

• Land prices are competitive with Hamilton, Kitchener and Cambridge

• Majority of the inventory is “greenfield” land

• Good mix of different sized parcels (small, medium and large)



• Only a small portion of land is immediately adjacent to border crossings, but 100% of the lands are within 25km of a border crossing

• There are several clusters with access to 400 series highways

• Welland Canal offers a unique opportunity for certain types of heavy industries



• Most lands do not have detailed plans

• A third of the lands are serviced; A third are partially serviced; a third are un-serviced

• Regional infrastructure upgrades are required in four locations

• Regional servicing costs are substantial, estimated to be approximately $40 million



Incentive Programs


1) TIBG and DC Grant ProgramsScoring System Matrix (total points)

2) Development Charge Grant Program• Exceptional project is approved TIBG

Program project that scores high on both economic performance and environmental/ design performance (14+ total points).

• DC Grant is a one-time payment equal to % of DC paid in green shaded area with payment capped at $1.5 million.

• Amount of DC Grant is not deducted from TIBG to be paid to applicant, i.e., no offset.

Total Score

Tax Increment Based Grant Level

0-7 No Grant8 40%9 45%

10 50%11 55%12 60%13 65%14 70%15 75%16 80%17 85%18 90%19 95%20 100%

Incentive Programs


Summary/ConclusionsA Two-Tier Region System

• Single economic entity• Competition is external• Regional approach to funding major

infrastructure• Regional approach to Vision, Strategy• Unique, diverse, but complementary


Niagara RegionTwo Tiers – One Vision


Thank you


Back-pocket slides



Road, Rail, Transit & Ports Integrated Vision


Two-Tier Municipal Structure in the Niagra Region

Education

Two-Tier Municipal Structure in the Niagra Region