City discount aimed at redevelopment
COLLIN GALLANT
Medicine Hat faced a conundrum in 2013 after a year-long, complex set of negotiations with developers to reform its offsite levy system.
The system, which recovers the cost of public infrastructure from builders, was a blanket rate across the city, but had cost taxpayers $30 million more than expected over six years.
What resulted was nodal system that set local rates based on the actual costs of localized requirement — a key desire of the private sector groups that saw blanket rates as unfair.
However, the solution had seemingly hamstrung the long stated civic goal of
encouraging redevelopment in mature communities.
The rate downtown, for example, was set at $477,000 per hectare — more than double most other areas and as much as triple the cost of building in the suburbs.
But, while the blanket rates were mostly removed, a 40 per cent blanket subsidy had remained.
Three years later that “Municipal Assist” was kept throughout the city, but increased to 90 per cent “Priority Intensification Areas” until at least 2019.
“This is the first time that we’ve gone with a strategic levy approach,” said Kent Snyder, the city of Medicine Hat’s general manager of planning.
“We’re hoping it is an incentive, but we’re realistic that the offsite levy isn’t the biggest piece of the picture, but the intent in that for those areas that receive 90 per cent support, it make the projects a little more attractive to investment in those areas.”
Members of city council approved the near total subsidy by an 8-1 margin in late 2015 in hopes of helping ongoing building and perhaps lowering the hurdle for builders looking at redevelopment over building new.
Areas covered by the 90 per cent rate also include the River Flats — under a redevelopment area plan since 2011 — and areas of Maple Avenue.
The mission of the association is to assist in the integration, adjustment and resettlement of immigrants and refugees in the community of Medicine Hat, providing a support system that fosters Individual needs in an environment of equality and dignity.
Saamis Immigration has been serving New Canadians in Medicine Hat since 1988.
Visit:
www.saamisimmigration.ca Stop by: 659 3rd Street SE.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 0H4 A few of our services include:
SETTLEMENT SERVICES When immigrants fi rst arrive in Medicine Hat they are met by the association staff member and a volunteer interpreter if needed.
The Association assists new arrivals in the following areas:
Reception: Greeting and provision of food and lodging. Settlement & Orientation: Housing, shopping, banking, utilities,
health care, etc. Supportive Counseling & Referral: Community contact and access to other services; ongoing individual support
Employment Services: Pre-employment & career counseling, information and referrals, volunteer job placement. Public Awareness & Community Education: Community development.
REFUGEES RECEPTION HOUSE was opened at the beginning of 2003 to provide temporary accommodation to newly arrived refugees in Medicine Hat. The house can accommodate up to 16 people at a time.
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ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES are offered on a full-time and part-time basis. These classes are held onsite and are free of charge. Subsidies for child care are available for the full-time program. Admittance into the program requires clients to complete a Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA) to determine what level of English they are at.
SETTLEMENT WORKERS IN SCHOOLS (S.W.I.S) is a program which helps new Canadians navigate an unfamiliar school system. Understanding school policy and procedure, School registration and orientation, transportation scheduling, communicating with educators, and accessing school and community resources are a few ways the SWIS program help to elevate stress newcomers feel.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM is a volunteer based program in which newcomers to Canada are matched with Canadian volunteers, who help them to learn about Canadian values and traditions, practice speaking English and learn about community resources and how to use them. Many Newcomers to Canada come from countries where the climate, economy, political and social conditions are very different from those of Canada It takes time and support to learn a new way of life. Help of a volunteer can make a big difference.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Our services depend on community involvement and volunteers. We are always on the lookout for Language interpreters who are fl uent in English and at least one other language; Tutors; Classroom and special events helpers or volunteers interested in serving on our Board.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please call 403-504-1188 or stop by our offi ce at 659 3 ST. SE.
Commercial corridors on Dunmore Road, Kingsway Avenue and TransCanada Way are also eligible, as well as light industrial areas near the Medicine Hat Regional Airport. The subsidy could cut the private costs of redevelopment by $175,000 or more per acre in most areas and by $425,000 downtown.
Offsite levies repay the costs of new or upgrading roads, water and sewer lines as well as drainage systems.
In mature areas, they are only charged on projects that increase the need for services, but those areas also house pipes and roads that are most in need of repair or upgrades.
Replacing houses with apartments, for
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