Public weighs in on proposed CIP draft for Sharbot Lake

Jul 19, 2012

Photo: County Community Planner Peter Young at the Sharbot Lake CIP Draft public meeting

In the third public meeting regarding the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Sharbot Lake, which was held on July 12 at Oso Hall, Central Frontenac CAO/clerk Shawn Trépanier presented a draft of the proposed plan.

The proposed CIP is a partnership between the township and the county. Together, the two are making a total of $80,000 available to area businesses and residents looking to improve and/or upgrade their businesses and residences. CIPs are a tool used by municipalities under the planning act, which aim to encourage economic development and community revitalization through financial incentives. The proposed CIP was drafted following an earlier public input meeting in March of this year, when the public made their suggestions regarding improvements to the village of Sharbot and its surroundings.

The draft plan includes a number of goals and objectives to improve streetscapes and the general public realm, with a general focus on Elizabeth Street and the Highway 7/ Road 38 corridor. Enhancing access to and within the community was also highlighted, with the priorities being: improved overall signage for visitors; pinpointing Oso beach as an important asset; and implementing the Sharbot Lake parking study. Another goal was to support existing businesses while also attracting new businesses to the area by implementing facade improvements to at least five area businesses.

Trépanier next outlined the proposed incentive programs to implement the plan. These included a facade improvement program for village buildings and businesses where owners can receive up to 50% of eligible costs (with grants of up to $2,500) for improvements. Another program for accessibility enhancement was drafted, with the goal to improve accessibility to commercial properties by retrofitting entrance ways.

Another suggested program was a business start up fund, which would consist of one-time grants of up to $2500 for eligible project costs for new businesses starting up in the CIP area. The grant could also be used for the conversion of existing residential units to commercials uses; the redevelopment of vacant commercial space; and/or additions to existing commercial buildings.

Another proposed program was a grant for landscaping of Highway 7 to improve the gateway to Sharbot Lake for visitors coming along that corridor.

The proposed plan also outlined how these programs would be implemented. The process would begin with a pre-consultation and application submission to township staff. Staff would then review the application and if the proposal met with the CIP objectives, it would then be approved by the CAO and an agreement would be executed between the applicant and the township. Then, once the applicant can demonstrate that proposed work has been completed as outlined in the agreement, the funds would then be distributed to the applicant.

The draft CIP also proposed a number of other programs to help supplement the primary incentive programs. Some of these included making available a CIP interest-free loan of up to $7500 over five years for eligible projects, along with a municipal fees grant program.

Some of the proposed municipal projects included in the plan were: redesigning Elizabeth Street; improving the gateway to the village at Highway 7; increasing signage throughout the village; enhancing the trail system; providing street furniture and lighting; adding parking; and investigating the future use of the Sharbot Lake Public School.

Following the presentation Trépanier invited members of the public to weigh in on the plan and the group was invited to answer a number questions he put forth. In the discussion that ensued, the public came to a general consensus regarding a number of issues and a number of other issues were clarified.

Regarding the potential future use of the Sharbot Lake Public school, local resident Marcel Giroux said that after some research, he and a group came to the conclusion that the cost of updating and improving the school would prove more costly than demolishing it and building anew. Regarding the proposed accessibility grants to existing local businesses, the group agreed that a $2500 grant would be a mere drop in the bucket and that the township should be looking for other possible funding opportunities to help with what would likely be expensive retrofits to entrance ways to make them more accessible. There was also general agreement of prioritizing overall signage in the village at all of the gateway locations, improving Elizabeth Street, and concentrating on the beatification of the Road 38 corridor rather than Highway 7 as far as landscaping and facade improvements go.

For the next steps for the plan, Trépanier will be receiving the public’s input from the meeting and will be making adjustments to the draft, as well as receiving feedback from staff from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The draft will then be finalized and presented to township council for review. After a by-law has been passed, Trépanier said he hopes to see the plan launched in late summer or early fall of 2012. Anyone who missed the meeting can review the draft CIP online at www.centralfrontenac.com and can make their own suggestions either on-line or by dropping off a written submission at the township office.