Planning, Development & Engagement Report: COMPLETE COMMUNITIES GRANT APPLICATION

PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT & ENGAGEMENT REPORT

TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Leanne Taylor, RPP, MCIP, Director of Development Services DATE: June 8, 2023 MEETING DATE: June 13, 2023

COMPLETE COMMUNITIES GRANT APPLICATION

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT a grant application for the Complete Communities Grant be supported for the Off-Street Parking Review as per the June 8, 2023, report from the Director of Development Services titled “Complete Communities Grant Application”;

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek the Committee’s endorsement to make an application for a Complete Communities grant through the Complete Communities program being administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to carry out the Off-Street Parking Review that was approved by Council as a non-core project in the 2023-2027 Financial Plan, and to be completed in 2023/2024.

TIME CRITICAL:

The grant application deadline is June 16, 2023.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Completes Communities program supports local governments in advancing identified community goals through the creation of more complete communities. The program supports communities in undertaking assessments to inform land use decision-making, considering housing need, supply, and location; providing transportation options including increased walkability; and making connections to infrastructure investment and servicing decisions. A parking review falls under three of the four lenses identified in the Ministry of Housings Complete Communities Guide, including housing, transportation and daily needs.

The amount budgeted for the Off-Street Parking Review is $75,000. The Complete Communities program can contribute a maximum of 100% of the cost of eligible activities up to a maximum of $150,000.

BACKGROUND:

The intent of the Complete Communities program is to support local governments to enhance their ability to make evidence-based land use planning decisions through assessments of their current community completeness; analysis and identification of strengths, opportunities, challenges and potential actions that align with identified community goals and support more complete communities; and an implementation plan.

DISCUSSION:

The 2023-2027 Financial Plan anticipated the Off-Site Parking Review (refer to Attachment 1) to be funded by Casino revenue, or by a grant if one became available and was approved.

The grant application requires that Council endorse the Town’s application submission by directing staff to apply for, receive and manage the grant funding. The grant request is for $75,000 and would cover expenditures related to the project such as consultant costs, public information, and engagement with experts and the community.

SUSTAINABILITY/CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS:

Support for the grant application would enable the Town to conduct a comprehensive review of the parking, bicycle and accessible parking regulations as well as consider new regulations to further advance sustainability goals and objectives in the 2011 Official Community Plan and the Community Climate Action Strategy.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

A grant application submission has no financial implications to the Town. If the Town is successful in receiving a grant, then it will offset the costs of completing a parking review.

ALTERNATIVES:

N/A

CONCLUSION:

UBCM requires Council’s support as a part of the grant application for the Off-Street Parking Review. If the grant application is supported, staff will submit the grant application and report back to Council on the result.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1: Off-Street Parking Review Project Summary (N-099) Attachment 2: Complete Communities 2023/24 Program & Application Guide.