2017 Annual Report

38 City of Chilliwack 2017 Annual Report Objectives Measures for 2018/2019 and Progress from 2017 OBJECTIVE STRATEGY MEASURE PROGRESS Maintain, enhance and promote the  natural beauty of Chilliwack. Promote tourism. Contract with Tourism Chilliwack. Portray a visually appealing image. Chilliwack parks and trails are becoming renowned in British Columbia. As  the branding of the parks and trails continue, plans have been developed for  a new Parks and Trails brochure which will be published in 2018.  Trail nodal  points have received information and interpretive signage/kiosks to inform  and educate the users. Provide a pedestrian‐friendly community. Continue to partner with community service groups to build and enhance  trail systems. Major trail work completed in partnership with community  service groups and Chilliwack Parks Society. Examples of these include the  Chilliwack Community Forest trail network 6+kms, Upper Walker Creek Trail  measures 400m and connects Sylvan Dive to MacLaughlin Place, Salmon  Ridge loop 400m trail with lookout, 1.2 km of trail on the south side of  Vedder River, the Vedder Crossing Bridge widened pathways connecting the  Rotary Trail to the Vedder South Trail 800m, Picnic Loop in the Chilliwack  Community Forest 1.5km. Through innovation and flexibility, establish  standards to successfully integrate hillside  development within its unique natural  context. Zoning Bylaw Amendment applications on sites that have natural slopes of  20% or more are accompanied by additional development approval  information to illustrate conformance with the Hillside Development  Standards Policy. Attract & Maintain  Business Growth Contract with CEPCO for economic development. New businesses locating in Chilliwack. Non‐market business/industry assessment increased in 2017 as a result of  new business attraction. Work cooperatively with CEPCO in setting  mutual priorities. CEPCO contract renewed in 2014 for a 5 year term.  Encourage redevelopment in the  downtown area. Provide revitalization tax exemptions (RTE)  through the Revitalization Tax Exemption  Bylaw. There was one application for RTE within the downtown area for a  commercial renovation on Victoria Avenue in 2016. Facilitating an environment for downtown  revitalization. Established a zone and request for proposals to support a comprehensive  redevelopment of the Five Corners development site. Create an environment that is positive  to business creation. Comparison of taxes and fees, and timing of  service delivery. Chilliwack provides low business taxes and fees in comparison to other  Lower Mainland communities. Through the Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw (2011), the City  had 1 application in 2017 for Pacific Dairy Mart. NAIOP: Survey results for 2017 have not yet been made available, however,  it's expected that the City will continue to have the lowest commercial to  residential property tax burden and be one of the best for development  application and permit turnaround times. Ensure plans are in place to facilitate  regional growth predictions. Regional growth accommodated in OCP and CMP. The 2040 Official Community Plan was adopted in 2014, the Regional  Growth Strategy goals were incorporated into the OCP. Engage the  Community Provide community forum venues on  major issues under consideration. Public Meetings.   Held Open House on DCC's in conjunction with the Development Process  Advisory Committee.  City Council hosted six community engagement  meetings throughout 2017 in downtown Chilliwack, Sardis/Promontory,  Greendale, Yarrow, Rosedale and Ryder Lake. City staff engaged the  community on a wide variety of subjects, including the new curbside  collection program, playground replacement, CycleVision, roundabout  safety, homelessness, road safety, neighbourhood planning and more. Parks  Operations hosted public engagement sessions in Cottonwood Mall on a  wide variety of subjects including dog off‐leash areas, the looping of the  Vedder Rotary Trail, the Experience the Fraser Trail and the Neighbourhood  Grant program. A design workshop was held for the Landing Skate Park to  engage user groups and receive their feedback. Playground meetings were  held in community parks to receive feedback from local residents on future  playground designs at Third Avenue Park, Hilton Park, Carmel Park, Mitchell  Park and Promontory Road Park. The City also hosted a booth at Townsend  Park on Canada Day, offering free face painting. Staff continue to attend Canadian Homebuilders Association functions  regularly; liaised and continued to build relationships with members of our  development community. Provide relevant information through  the City website, newspaper and  radio ads and the Leisure Guide. Leisure Guide, Annual Report, Tax Insert  made available.  Updated website regularly. All done to satisfaction.  Met statutory deadline for presentation of Annual  Report. Departments regularly place newspaper and radio ads. Each  department regularly updates the website in order to ensure the  information remains current and timely. The tax insert is mailed out annually  with property tax notices; this includes an interactive PDF version for  residents that prefer not to receive a paper notice in the mail. Page 4 of 6 Objectives, Measures & Progress