2018 Annual Report

City of Chilliwack 41 OBJECTIVE STRATEGY MEASURE PROGRESS Encourage redevelopment in the downtown area. Provide revitalization tax exemptions (RTE) through the Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw. One application for RTE within the downtown area for a commercial renovation on Alexander Avenue in 2018. Facilitating an environment for downtown revitalization. In September 2017 the City of Chilliwack and CEPCO issued an RFP for the purchase and development of a 3.75 acre development site in downtown Chilliwack. The contract was awarded in May 2018 to Algra Bros. Developments for their innovative multi-phase proposal. The project will retain some buildings and upgrade their historic facades while creating a sustainable, walkable and vibrant city centre. 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 2 applications in 2018 for Luster Products and Level Fab. NAIOP: Survey results for 2018 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. In 2018 the City undertook neighbourhood planning for Chilliwack Proper/Fairfield Island to guide decision making/ensure OCP and RGS growth management goals are met. Engage the Community Provide community forum venues on major issues under consideration. Public Meetings. Held Open House on Zoning Regulations for Retail Cannabis in advance of the implementation of the federal Cannabis Act. City staff engaged the community on a wide variety of subjects, including the new curbside collection program, playground replacement, transit expansion, updates to the Building Act, roundabout safety, wildfire preparedness, road safety, neighbourhood planning and more. Parks Operations hosted public engagement sessions in Cottonwood Mall and at the Chilliwack Fair on a wide variety of subjects including outdoor exercise equipment, the looping of the Vedder Rotary Trail, the Experience the Fraser Trail and updates to the City's Greenspace and Trail Network Plans. Park meetings were held in community parks to receive feedback from local residents on future park designs at Parker Park, Kensington Park, Emerald Park, Balmoral Park and Mountview Park. 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.