Belleville’s Central Business District was established by Bylaw 2016-16 which gave residential developments in the area a 50% discount on development charges. The intent was to encourage new residential development in and around the city’s downtown. There is a corresponding 100% discount on development charges for commercial development within the boundaries of the Downtown Business Improvement Area.
It includes all of the Belleville Downtown Improvement Area (BDIA):
October 6, 2021 – Development Charges Background Study adds a 50% discount on development charges for apartment 6+ units located outside the Central Business District
The development charge with respect to the use of any land, buildings or structures shall be calculated as follows:
(a) in the case of residential development or redevelopment, or the residential portion of a mixed-use development or redevelopment, the sum of the product of the number of dwelling units of each type multiplied by the corresponding total amount for such dwelling unit type, as set out in Schedule “B”;
(b) notwithstanding subsection (a), the development charge for residential development located within the boundary of the Central Business District as set out in Schedule “D” will be equal to 50% of the of the total amount otherwise calculated in subsection (a);
(c) notwithstanding subsection (a), the development charge for apartment units within a building containing a minimum of six (6) units, located outside the boundary of the Central Business District as set out in Schedule “D”, will be equal to 50% of the total amount otherwise calculated in subsection (a), provided that these apartment units are subject to an agreement with the City to charge affordable rents for a defined period of time. For greater clarity, affordable rents under the agreement will be evaluated based on market rates, or below, within the County of Hastings.
May 27, 2021 – Frank Giannopoulos thanks the City for fee reductions
The incentives that have been made possible as a result of the affordable housing summit through the reduction of a multitude of municipal fees will accelerate development and results in generations of affordable housing growth in Belleville.
He added he and partners looked “forward to further investing in our community where we grew up and look forward to creating more affordable housing.”
Frank Giannopoulos to The Intelligencer
May 13, 2019 – Central Business District expanded by Bylaw 2019-91
Bylaw 2019-91 amended Bylaw 2016-16 to:
- Expand the boundary of the Central Business District to include 135 Station Street, where the 103 unit The Magnolia apartment building was built by KGF Capital Realty, which received a $23M insured loan by Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) through CHMC’s Rental Construction Financing initiative and is owned by Frank Giannopoulos, Gus Papakiriazis and Ken Papakiriazi.
- Provide a 50% reduction of development charges for affordable rental apartment units outside of the CBD.
- Clarify the treatment of accessory residential units
October 9, 2018 – City staff directed to expand the Central Business District to include 135 Station Street by amending Development Charges Bylaw 2016-16 to give 135 Station St a 50% reduction in development charges, worth $300,000
January 25, 2016 – Belleville imposed development charges by service
The City adopted By-law Number 2016-16 which imposed development charges by service (i.e. charge for municipal water and wastewater services only imposed in municipally serviced areas) and defining the Central Business District.
It also provided a 50% discount on development charges to residential development in the CBD:
2. (2) (b) The development charge for residential development located within the boundary of the Central Business District as set out in Schedule “D” will be equal to 50% of the of the total amount otherwise calculated in subsection (a);
Downtown city centre viability supported by PPS, Belleville Official Plan, Strategic Plan
Provincial Policy Statement values the viability of downtowns and mainstreets
Long-term economic prosperity should be supported by:
d) maintaining and, where possible, enhancing the vitality and viability of downtowns and mainstreets;
Section 1.7.1 d) of the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020
This is used in reports justifying developments:
The proposed development is located on John Street, three blocks west of Front Street, the main downtown street. The development’s proximity to the downtown core will increase the consumer base for the central business district, thereby enhancing the vitality of downtown Belleville.
186 John Street Planning Justification Report
Belleville’s Official Plan
The City Centre is intended to be multi-functional; the business, professional, cultural, entertainment and administrative centre of the City; and the policies of this Plan are intended to attract new investment to the core area to enable it to prosper and grow as the business and administrative centre for the entire region. The City Centre is also targeted as a residential intensification area according to the Special Land Use Policies of Section 4.6.
Policies for the City Centre are designed to encourage and enhance the downtown core as a major focus of economic activity, create a source of civic identity and pride, and establish the City’s core area as a community landmark. The purpose of the City Centre designation on Schedule ‘B’ is to encourage the development of a variety of compatible land uses in the City’s core creating a compact, clean, secure, attractive, accessible and economically stable area.
Development should increase the diversity and vitality of the downtown and create a lively and vibrant environment that supports a wide variety of living, shopping, leisure, cultural and working activities. Development that takes advantage of the Moira River and Bay of Quinte is strongly encouraged. To ensure that intensification is compatible with existing uses, the development of Intensification Design Guidelines are encouraged.
This would provide developers, city staff and Council with a tool to determine whether new intensification development is compatible with the surrounding area.
The City Centre contains significant cultural heritage resources, that are a major part of the character and quality of the area, and are linked to the economic function. New private and public investment opportunities that protect and enhance these heritage resources are important to the economic success of the City Centre.
Some areas within the City Centre land use designation also fall within Specific Planning Area # 1 – Bayshore Planning Area. Should any of the City Centre Policies conflict with the Bayshore Planning Area policies in Section 4.1, the policies of this Section shall prevail.
Section 3.8 of City of Belleville Official Plan (2021)
Belleville’s Strategic Plan
City Centre Sustainability
City centre sustainability is defined as a strategic theme as we need to improve the image of the City, counter urban decay and create an environment that will stimulate investment, create job opportunities and strengthen the City’s regional role.
Strategic objectives:
City Centre Sustainability is one of 9 strategic themes in Belleville’s Strategic Plan – 2012-2032
- Encourage the creation of a vibrant downtown, accented with pedestrian-friendly services and unique residential and commercial opportunities
- Promote the City’s core as a place for government, financial, legal and related services
- Ensure a strong partnership with the DBIA
- Ensure the preservation of Heritage
Development charge reductions and deferrals
Belleville’s Development Charges Bylaw provides:
- Waives charges for commercial development within the Belleville Downtown Improvement Area (BDIA)
- 50% reduction for residential development located within the City’s Central Business District (CBD)
- Deferrals for developers that belong to the Quinte Home Builders Association. Contact the City at 613-968-6481 for details
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