1. INTENT TO DESIGNATE BELLS CORNERS BIA INTENTION D’ÉTABLIR LA ZAC DE BELLS CORNERS
|
That Council:
1. Approve
the area described in Document 1 to be designated as a Business Improvement
Area (BIA), under Section 204 of the Municipal Act, 2001;
2. Authorize
and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor to send out a notice of Council’s
intention to pass a by-law designating the area, as defined in Document 1, as a
Business Improvement Area, in accordance with Section 210 of the Municipal
Act, 2001.
3. Authorize
and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor:
a. to
prepare a by-law to designate the area as a Business Improvement Area, as
described in Document 1, to be named the “Bells Corners Business Improvement
Area;”
b. to
prepare a by-law to establish the Board of Management of the Business
Improvement Area, to be named the “Bells Corners Business Improvement Area
Board of Management;” and
4. Enact
the two aforementioned by-laws in accordance with Section 204 of the Municipal
Act, 2001, and subject to the City Clerk and Solicitor reporting favourably
on the results of the intention to pass a by-law designating the area referred
to in Recommendation 2.
RecommandationS du Comité
Que le Conseil:
1. approuve que le secteur décrit dans le
document 1 ci-joint soit désigné « zone d’amélioration commerciale »
(ZAC) en vertu de l’article 204 de la Loi de 2001 sur les municipalités;
2. permette et donne instruction au greffier municipal et chef du contentieux de la Ville de
publier un avis signifiant l’intention du Conseil d’adopter un règlement
municipal désignant le secteur défini dans le document 1 ci-joint comme une
« zone d’amélioration commerciale », conformément à l’article 210 de
la Loi de 2001 sur les municipalités;
3. permette et donne instruction au greffier
municipal et chef du contentieux :
a. de préparer un règlement municipal désignant
le secteur défini dans le document 1 ci-joint comme une « zone
d’amélioration commerciale » qui portera le nom de « Zone
d’amélioration commerciale de Bells Corners »;
b. de préparer un règlement municipal afin
d’établir le conseil de gestion de la zone d’amélioration commerciale, qui
portera le nom de « Conseil de gestion de la Zone d’amélioration
commerciale de Bells Corners »; et
4.
adopte
les deux règlements municipaux susmentionnés en vertu de l’article 204 de la Loi
de 2001 sur les municipalités, et sous réserve d’un rapport favorable de la
part du greffier municipal et chef du contentieux de la Ville sur les résultats
de l’intention d’adopter un règlement municipal désignant le secteur mentionné
à la recommandation 2.
DOCUMENTATION
1. Deputy
City Manager of Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability report
dated 29 September 2009 (ACS2009-ICS-CSS-0037)
2.
Extract
of Draft Minutes from 6 October 2009 meeting of CSEDC.
Corporate Services and Economic Development
Committee
Comité des services organisationnels et du développement économique
and Council / et au Conseil
29 September 2009 / le 29 septembre
2009
Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers,
Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe,
Infrastructure Services and
Community Sustainability/Services d’infrastructure et Viabilité des
collectivités
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Chris Cope, Acting
Manager/Gestionnaire par intérim, Economic Development/Développement
économique, Economic and Environmental Sustainability/Direction de la viabilité
économique et de la durabilité de l’environnement
(613) 580-2424
x28991, Chris.Cope@Ottawa.ca
SUBJECT:
|
INTENT TO DESIGNATE BELLS CORNERS BIA |
|
|
OBJET :
|
That the Corporate Services and
Economic Development Committee recommend Council:
1.
Approve the area described in
Document 1 to be designated as a Business Improvement Area (BIA), under Section
204 of the Municipal Act, 2001;
2.
Authorize and direct the City Clerk
and Solicitor to send out a notice of Council's intention to pass a by-law
designating the area, as defined in Document 1, as a Business Improvement Area,
in accordance with Section 210 of the Municipal
Act, 2001;
3.
Authorize and direct the City Clerk
and Solicitor:
a.
to prepare a by-law to designate the
area as a Business Improvement Area, as described in Document 1, to be named
the "Bells Corners Business Improvement Area;"
b.
to prepare a by-law to establish the
Board of Management of the Business Improvement Area, to be named the
"Bells Corners Business Improvement Area Board of Management;" and
4.
Enact the two aforementioned by-laws
in accordance with section 204 of the Municipal
Act, 2001, and subject to the
City Clerk and Solicitor reporting favourably on the results of the intention
to pass a by-law designating the area referred to in Recommendation 2.
Que le Comité des services organisationnels et
du développement économique recommande au Conseil :
1. D’approuver
que le secteur décrit dans le document 1 ci-joint soit désigné « zone
d’amélioration commerciale » (ZAC) en vertu de l’article 204 de la Loi
de 2001 sur les municipalités;
2. De
permettre et de donner instruction au greffier municipal et chef du contentieux
de la Ville de publier un avis signifiant l’intention du Conseil d’adopter un
règlement municipal désignant le secteur défini dans le document 1 ci-joint
comme une « zone d’amélioration commerciale », conformément à
l’article 210 de la Loi de 2001 sur les municipalités;
3. De
permettre et de donner instruction au greffier municipal et chef du contentieux
:
a. de préparer un règlement municipal
désignant le secteur défini dans le document 1 ci-joint comme une « zone
d’amélioration commerciale » qui portera le nom de « Zone
d’amélioration commerciale de Bells Corners »;
b. de préparer un règlement municipal afin
d’établir le conseil de gestion de la zone d’amélioration commerciale, qui
portera le nom de « Conseil de gestion de la Zone d’amélioration
commerciale de Bells Corners »; et
4. D’adopter
les deux règlements municipaux susmentionnés en vertu de l’article 204 de la Loi
de 2001 sur les municipalités, et sous réserve d’un rapport favorable de la
part du greffier municipal et chef du contentieux de la Ville sur les résultats
de l’intention d’adopter un règlement municipal désignant le secteur mentionné
à la recommandation 2.
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of business people within a specified district who join together, with official approval from the City, in a self-help program aimed at stimulating local business. A BIA Board of Management is an organization set up to provide business promotion and improvement functions.
A BIA allows local business people and property owners to join together and, with the support of the municipality, organize, finance and carry out physical improvement and promote economic development in their district. The local municipality is the body responsible for establishing and approving the budget of the BIA.
The BIA concept has also spread beyond the boundaries of Ontario. The concept has been adopted by more than 1,500 communities across the United States and in most provinces in Canada. A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of businesses within a specified geographic area who join together, with official approval of the City, in a self-help program aimed at stimulating local business. They use their own money in an ongoing effort to draw more prospective customers to their area by improving the attractiveness of the area and promoting it as a good place to shop, visit and do business.
Once a BIA is approved by City Council, every business within its boundaries automatically becomes a member. There are no exceptions, under the principle that all who benefit should be required to bear their fair share of the cost of the program. While a BIA arises from the retail and professional activities of a main street, it has a profound effect on the surrounding area. It serves as an economic and social anchor, helping to stabilize and revitalize the local community.
The City of Ottawa currently has 15 BIAs that represent over 3,000 businesses.
The Economic
Development Division has been working with the Bells Corners Steering Committee
to establish a BIA within the area illustrated in Document 1. The Steering Committee is comprised of
business operators and owners in the described area.
The Bells Corners BIA Steering Committee has completed a survey process within the proposed BIA boundary and has confirmed broad interest in designating a BIA in Bells Corners and is formally requesting that City Council adopt a by-law to establish a BIA pursuant to the Municipal Act Section 210.
The local Councillor for the area, Rick Chiarelli, has been very supportive of the initiatives of the Steering Committee and is a strong advocate for the creation of a BIA for Bells Corners.
The next step in the process is a requirement that Council authorize the City Clerk and Solicitor to send out a Notice of Intention to designate the area as a BIA to all property owners in the affected area.
The property owner must then, within 30 days after the notice is mailed, give a copy of the notice to each tenant of the property to which the notice relates who is required to pay all or part of the taxes on the property.
For the purpose of defeating the by-law, the municipality’s period for receiving sufficient objections is two months from the latest day of mailing of the notice by the municipality.
Council cannot pass a proposed BIA by-law if the municipality receives a petition signed by at least one-third of the persons entitled to notice who are responsible for at least one-third of the tax on property in the proposed BIA.
The Bells
Corners community has seen little commercial growth over the past several
years. The current residential
population is approximately 10,000.
Bells Corners does contain a strong mix of retail, restaurant, and big
box stores, including major national retailers such as Canadian Tire, Winners,
Metro, Staples, and Loblaws.
Many business owners are
concerned about losing sales to other areas of the city, and these businesses
rely heavily on Bells Corners residents for support. The BIA is seen as a tool to help revitalize and maintain a
dynamic local neighbourhood, and to promote the area as a business, shopping
and hospitality destination. The
majority of businesses in Bells Corners would like to see marketing initiatives
and especially beautification of the area.
There are at least two abandoned buildings on the main street (Robertson
Road) of which the existing businesses would like to see major physical
improvements. A BIA will also be able to provide critical information and
communication resources that will ensure existing businesses grow stronger, and
new or potential businesses have all available current knowledge to make
educated decisions.
A BIA will provide Bells Corners
business and property owners with a direct link to the City of Ottawa. It will
facilitate timely information sharing with and among area developers,
businesses and property owners, on areas such as access to planning and zoning
information, up-to-date statistical information.
The Bells Corners Steering Committee has successfully undertaken a preliminary survey process and distribution of information to businesses within the boundaries shown in Document 1. Some 358 Bells Corners businesses were canvassed in-store. In most cases, a face-to-face interview was conducted. When senior management was unavailable, a survey was provided to the business.
The results of the survey concluded that nearly 80 percent of businesses are overwhelmingly in favour of a Business Improvement Area in Bells Corners and although approximately 15 per cent of businesses surveyed did not provide a response, the results suggest that the business community is well behind the initiative.
The following charts are illustrative of the type of question asked and the high level of support suggested. These samples provide a perspective on both the methodology of the survey and the strong encouragement indicated by businesses that responded.
Question 1: "Do you feel an organized effort would improve your business?"
Question 2: “Do you feel coordinated efforts to promote and market Bells Corners would improve your business?”
When asked this question Again, 78 per cent responded with an affirmative answer.
Question 3: “Do you see the benefits of BIA members undertaking joint Bells Corners business development initiatives?”
Some 65 per cent of respondents indicated that they felt a joint business development effort would be beneficial to their business,
In an effort to provide information on the BIA proposal to businesses in the Bells Corners community, and to establish their level of support, the Ward Councillor (Chiarelli) has organized and hosted a number of public meetings over the past year. Issues discussed at these meetings included creating a stronger voice for businesses in Bells Corners; enhancing communications with City Hall (e.g. more timely information on zoning applications); more effective marketing of Bells Corners as a retail and hospitality destination; as well as community policing. The local business and property owners in attendance demonstrated considerable support in favour of the creation of a BIA.
The Steering Committee has also designated in-person canvassing of over 200 businesses, and purchased websites that will provide information on the status of the BIA's formation efforts.
Economic Development staff has consulted regularly with representatives from the Bells Corners Steering Committee leading up to their formal request to the City to designate a BIA.
There are no legal
or risk management impediments to approving the recommendations in this report.
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
are funded by a special levy to owners and tenants within the designated area
based on the annual budget requirement submitted by the BIA's Board of
Management, and subsequently approved by Council.
As part of the City's Finance Department, the Financial Support Unit has provided financial support to all BIAs. Since amalgamation, BIAs have grown significantly; with the addition of four BIAs, one BIA revitalization and two BIA expansions. During this growth, total FSU resource levels have declined; while this additional BIA can be accommodated, any further growth may require additional resources.
Document 1 Bells Corners BIA Proposed Boundary Map
Document 2 Compilation of Research Upon In-store Canvassing
The City Clerk and Solicitor will forward notices as provided for in the Municipal Act, 2001. A further report will be submitted detailing the results of the circulation and next steps to implement this request.
The City Clerk and Solicitor Department will
prepare the two by-laws to:
(i) designate the area as a Business
Improvement Area, as described in Document 1, to be named the Bells Corners
Business Improvement Area;"
(ii) establish the Board of Management of the Business Improvement Area, to be named the "Bells Corners Business Improvement Area Board of Management;" and
(iii) place the two aforementioned by-laws on the Orders of the Day, subject to the responses to the aforementioned notices."
BELLS CORNERS BIA
PROPOSED BOUNDARIES DOCUMENT
1
The
proposed Bells Corners Business Improvement Area boundaries will include the
following addresses:
§
299 to
435 Moodie Drive
§
1 to
195 Robertson Rd.
§
3655
to 3825 Richmond Rd.
§
18 to
50 Northside Rd.
§
6 to
20 Bexley Place
§
1 to
34 Stafford Rd.
INTENT TO DESIGNATE BELLS CORNERS BIA
INTENTION D’ÉTABLIR LA ZAC DE BELLS
CORNERS
ACS2009-ICS-CSS-0037 College (8)
Councillor Chiarelli explained that Bells Corners had previously been known for its proliferance of fast-food restaurants but that over the past fifteen years, there had been a loss of focus in the areas insofar as its commercial identity. He indicated he was happy to represent an area in which he actually lived and had many ideas to improve. He reported that the Bells Corners business community had formed a strong steering committee and that this group had made great progress in getting to a point where it had about 80% of businesses on-side for moving ahead with the formation of a Business Improvement Area (BIA). He advised that a renewal of Bells Corners would be forthcoming and he congratuled all those involved and moving this matter forward.
Chair Jellett advised members that Mr. Jim Sourges of The Electrical and Plumbing Store and a member of the steering committee, had registered to speak in support of the item but that, given Committee’s willingness to approve it on consent, he had advised that he would be happy to take “yes” for an answer.
Committee approved the report recommendations without further discussion.
That the Corporate Services and Economic
Development Committee recommend Council:
1. Approve
the area described in Document 1 to be designated as a Business Improvement
Area (BIA), under Section 204 of the Municipal Act, 2001;
2. Authorize
and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor to send out a notice of Council’s
intention to pass a by-law designating the area, as defined in Document 1, as a
Business Improvement Area, in accordance with Section 210 of the Municipal
Act, 2001.
3. Authorize
and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor:
a. to
prepare a by-law to designate the area as a Business Improvement Area, as
described in Document 1, to be named the “Bells Corners Business Improvement
Area;”
b. to
prepare a by-law to establish the Board of Management of the Business
Improvement Area, to be named the “Bells Corners Business Improvement Area
Board of Management;” and
4. Enact
the two aforementioned by-laws in accordance with Section 204 of the Municipal
Act, 2001, and subject to the City Clerk and Solicitor reporting favourably
on the results of the intention to pass a by-law designating the area referred
to in Recommendation 2.
CARRIED