10 things you need to know about the proposed upgrades to CIP in Smiths Falls

SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls council will send proposed changes to its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to a public meeting for final feedback. Smiths Falls’ CIP is the program that hands out grants for accessibility upgrades, façade improvements, housing projects and heritage restoration.

Here is what is proposed to change.

1. Accessibility grants jump to $25,000
   Exterior accessibility funding increases from $15,000 to $25,000. This covers ramps, automatic doors and code-compliant lifts.
   
2. Secondary entrances can qualify
   If the main entrance cannot be made accessible due to building layout or snow clearing, work on a secondary public entrance can be funded.
   
3. Higher rebates for attainable housing
   The tax increment rebate rises from 50 per cent to 80 per cent for non-profit attainable housing projects.
   
4. Accessible housing earns a full rebate
   If all units in a non-profit housing project are universally accessible, the rebate becomes 100 per cent of the increased assessment.
   
5. Private developers can still qualify
   Private projects receive a 50 per cent rebate, or 70 per cent if all units are accessible.
   
6. One housing program is gone
   The development charge rebate program is being removed. The province already exempts affordable units from development charges.
   
7. New heritage grant for homeowners
   Designated residential heritage properties anywhere in town can access a new $10,000 grant for exterior repairs.
   
8. Heritage façade funding doubles
   Commercial heritage buildings see façade funding jump from $17,000 to $34,000.
   
9. Regular façade grants increase too
   For non-heritage buildings, the façade grant rises from $10,000 to $20,000.
   
10. Tenants can apply for signage
    Business tenants may apply for CIP signage funding even if the property owner owes taxes. Signs usually move with the business, not the building.

What’s next
A statutory public meeting will be scheduled. After public input, the final CIP amendments return to council for adoption.

Grenke offered appreciation to Marie Elmsley, the planning clerk for her work on the file. He also thanked those who offered feedback from the Accessibility Advisory Committee chair, the Municipal Heritage Committee, Smiths Falls For All Committee, the Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown BIA “for the time that each of those groups have taken with us to share ideas. That was a lot of volunteer time.”

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