two-tier municipal structure in the niagra region
DESCRIPTION
From the Saskatoon Regional Growth Summit, Mike TrojanTRANSCRIPT
Niagara RegionTwo Tiers – One Vision
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Urban Area Boundaries
Setting Foundation – Route to Prosperity & Jobs
Gateway to US Eastern Seaboard Markets
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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
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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
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Where the Money Comes From
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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
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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
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Niagara 2031 - Growth Management Strategy
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Economic Gateway Strategy
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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
Economic Gateway Strategy
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Economic Gateway Strategy
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
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• 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)
Key Findings of the ELS
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• 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
Key Findings of the ELS
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• 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
Economic Gateway Strategy
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Incentive Programs
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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
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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
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Niagara RegionTwo Tiers – One Vision
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Thank you
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Back-pocket slides
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Road, Rail, Transit & Ports Integrated Vision
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