BIA boundary expansion referred back to its board

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A proposal to expand the boundaries of the Tillsonburg BIA has been referred back to the BIA Board of Management and the town’s Economic Development Committee for comment.

Council received a report from acting clerk Amelia Jaggard at its Sept. 8 meeting that answered questions raised after she presented her original report on Aug. 11. In this case, the 55 objections received by commercial and industrial property owners in both the present and proposed BIA district were below the threshold of 66 needed, meaning the one-third threshold wasn’t reached and the expansion could proceed. It should be noted the threshold was crossed in the proposed expansion area.

The BIA boundaries are currently confined to the downtown core. The proposed expansion would stretch from the middle of Concession Street on the north, along the Stoney Creek gully on the west to Otter Creek, across to Young Street on the south, and then up Vienna Road, crossing the Otter and towards Maple Lane.

Commercial properties within the BIA area pay a BIA levy that funds the operation of the BIA and its business promotion activities. There is no impact on residential home owners.

The latest report addressed council concerns about future economic development

Council also asked about the impact on core parking levies, which are applied if a property doesn’t meet parking requirements. Jaggard clarifieid that this is separate from the BIA levy, and is a town levy not a BIA levy.

In the second report, Development Commissioner Cephas Panschow wrote, “An appropriately scoped BIA boundary expansion can lay the groundwork for the continued growth of retail, services and amenities in the downtown. The low vacancy rates are currently restricting opportunities for the downtown. The challenges associated with growth mean that a comprehensive plan for the downtown is required for the betterment of the community as a whole.”

He also wrote that if the expansion took place, a new master plan for the downtown would be the next step.

However, Panschow did note that the included industrial land in the proposal should not be part of the expansion. More specifically, he wrote the area between John Pound Road east to Vienna Road does not make sense to include in the BIA district as this area is separate from the downtown but he believes the part in the Simcoe Street corridor east of Old Vienna Road should be a part of it.

Jaggard explained if council members agree with Panschow’s viewpoint on the boundaries, the process would need to be restarted again with adjustments.