What is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that can help revitalize areas within a community by designating a CIP area and providing programs, such as grants, in order to encourage implementation of goals identified by the municipality.

Does the Town have a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

The Town of Ajax has two Community Improvement Plan (CIP) areas which have been designated in the Town of Ajax Official Plan. The two areas are the Downtown Community Improvement Plan area and the Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan area. The programs are intended to encourage rehabilitation projects using financial incentives to support redevelopment within these two areas.

Downtown Community Improvement Plan

The Downtown Ajax Community Improvement Plan (CIP) was first adopted by Council and approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in 2005. The Downtown CIP establishes a framework to guide public sector investment and encourage private sector investment using various programs and financial incentives. The CIP helps to achieve the goals outlined in the Town of Ajax Official Plan to enhance Downtown Ajax by strengthening the vibrancy, diversity and economic viability of the Downtown.

The Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) includes the following programs and financial incentives:

  • Municipal Property Acquisition, Investment and Partnership Program helps establish public and private partnerships to clean-up and rehabilitate properties within Downtown CIP area;
  • Rehabilitation Grant Program provides tax grants to property owners who undertake rehabilitation or redevelopment projects that result in an increase in the municipal tax assessment on these properties;
  • Planning and Development Fee Grant Program provides rebates of various municipal application fees;
  • Development Charge Exemption Grant Program provides an exemption or reduction of the Town's portion of development charges for projects that meet the eligibility requirements;
  • Reduced Parkland Dedication Requirements Program provides financial relief in the form of a reduction in the parkland dedication requirements for eligible residential development; and
  • Exemption from Parking Requirements Program reduces parking requirements in the Downtown CIP area.

UPDATE: On December 14, 2020, Town of Ajax Council voted to extend the suspension of the Rehabilitation Grant Program, Planning and Development Fee Grant Program and the Development Charge Exemption / Grant Program until December 31, 2021, pending a review of funding criteria, project area and other applicable parameters. 

Final Downtown Community Improvement Plan

Download the Downtown Community Improvement Plan 

Downtown CIP Program Application

To apply, please complete the Downtown CIP Program Application Form and submit to Planning and Development Services, Town of Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax Ontario. 

Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan

The Town of Ajax initiated the Pickering Village Land Use Planning and Urban Design Study in 2007 to establish a long-term vision and plan for improving this historically significant area of Ajax. The study recommended the need to establish a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to provide financial incentives that will act as a stimulus for focused improvements and future development that is sympathetic to the historical character of the area.

The Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan (CIP) outlines the various financial incentive programs that are offered including:

  • Façade Improvement Grant Program is to promote sensitive redesign and restoration of existing building facades to enhance the existing image of the area;
  • Sign Grant Program is to promote new signage that is sensitive to the character of Pickering Village and improve the streetscape;
  • Redevelopment Tax Rebate Program provides municipal tax rebates that would offset increases in municipal taxes that are the result of an increase in property assessment due to redevelopment;
  • Planning and Development Fees Rebate Program provides rebates of various municipal application fees; and
  • Development Charge Exemption Grant Program provides an exemption or reduction of the Town's portion of development charges for projects that meet the eligibility requirements;
  • Reduced Parkland Dedication Requirements Program provides financial relief in the form of a reduction in the parkland dedication requirements for eligible residential development.

UPDATE: On December 14, 2020, Town of Ajax Council voted to extend the suspension of the Redevelopment Tax Rebate Program, Planning and Development Fees Rebate Program, Development Charge Exemption Grant Program and Reduced Parkland Dedication Requirements Program until December 31, 2021, pending a review of funding criteria, project area and other applicable parameters.

Final Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan

Download Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan 

Façade Improvement Grant and Sign Grant Information and Applications

Learn more about the Façade Improvement Grant and Sign Grant 

To apply, please complete the Façade Improvement Grant and Sign Grant Application Form and submit to Planning and Development Services, Town of Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax Ontario. 

Redevelopment Incentives Program

Learn more about the Pickering Village CIP Redevelopment Incentive Program  

To apply, please complete the Redevelopment Incentive Program Application Form and submit to Planning and Development Services, Town of Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax Ontario. 

Heritage Permit Application

Learn more about Heritage Permits within Pickering Village.

Contacts

If you have any questions please contact Planning Services at 905-619-2529 ext. 3631.