Community Improvement Plan

The Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (HBM) has initiated a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Village of Havelock. A CIP is a planning tool permitted under Section 28 of the Planning Act. CIPs also include financial incentives, which are legislated under Section 365.1 of the Municipal Act. CIPs provide the planning and economic development framework for municipalities to respond to local needs, priorities and circumstances for CIP areas.

CIPs can provide several benefits for a community:

• Stimulate private sector investment in targeted areas through grants and loans from the municipality;
• Enhance streetscapes and building façades;
• Promote revitalization and place-making to attract tourism, business investment and economic development opportunities;
• Develop affordable housing, for example by rehabilitating existing rental residential accommodation or converting commercial to residential;
• Promote brownfield cleanup and redevelopment; and
• Effectively use community infrastructure.

The financial incentive programs apply to properties within the Village of Havelock Community Improvement Project Area, the boundaries of which are illustrated in the picture above. The precise boundaries of the Project Area are intended to follow property lines. The financial incentive programs are intended to apply exclusively to properties with a commercial land use component. For example, residential single-detached dwellings will not be eligible for any financial incentive programs.

Application Process

Prior to submitting an application for funding under one of the financial incentive programs contained in this CIP, all applicants will be required to have a pre-application consultation meeting with Township of HBM staff to evaluate the project’s eligibility for the program. At this meeting, the applicant should present the following materials:

• the details of the work to be completed;
• an estimate, from appropriate trades people or professionals, of the associated costs to complete the work. In-kind work performed by the applicant or their family members, or work performed by the applicant’s business, will not be considered for the purpose of matching funding;
• a timeline for completion;
• plans or drawings illustrating the details of the project; and
• any additional materials required to review the application, as determined by staff;
• proof that municipal taxes are current.

Subsequent to the meeting, Staff will provide comments on whether the project (or which components of the work) meets the objectives of the CIP and which incentive programs could be accessed. If a project is determined to be eligible, Staff will accept the application. Acceptance of the application does not imply program approval. The applicant will be advised of approval or non-approval within 30 business days of the receipt of a complete application.