Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Project

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 project area and providing programs, such as grants, in order to meet specific goals and community improvement needs. 

CIP for Office Development and Village Revitalization

On February 26, 2018, Council approved the Richmond Hill Office Development and downtown Local Centre Community Improvement Plan (the CIP).

The CIP supports and incentivizes new office development in Richmond Hill’s designated centres and corridors and older business parks through a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant and a Building Renovation Grant. It also supports revitalization of the City’s Village Business Improvement Area through grants related to façade improvements, enhanced landscaping and new signage. These grants are geared to businesses and property owners located within program defined areas, and provided they meet certain criteria.

Purpose of CIP

• Encourage new office development and re-development by providing grants to applicants located in the defined improvement area
• Ensure the availability of a range of office space to businesses to provide more opportunities for local employment that supports intensification and a live/work balance in Richmond Hill
• Allow businesses to better access the highly-educated workforce living in Richmond Hill

For more information about the programs and eligibility criteria, and how to apply for a grant, please see the CIP Grants website.

CIP Extension and Proposed Updates

On April 27, 2022, Council approved in principle an extension of the CIP program for an additional 5 years until 2027. Changes to the CIP will be undertaken by City staff through the formal CIP update process in accordance with the Planning Act. The changes are proposed to come into effect in February 2023.

The proposed updates include the following:

1. CIP program extension for an additional 5 years until 2027;
2. An increase to the maximum grant threshold for the Building Renovations Grant from $50,000 to $100,000;
3. An increase to the maximum grant amount for the Landscaping grant from $2,500 to $5,000 for a single frontage and from $5,000 to $10,000 for multiple frontages. 
4. Changes to improve the program(s) as determined through consultation;
5. Clarification on programs including eligibility (e.g. eligible costs, eligible projects, and timing of project commencement);
6. Clarification on what changes require a formal amendment and Council approval; and
7. Minor technical changes (e.g. update the word "Town" to "City")

Please see the Draft Amendment to the CIP and the Draft Updated CIP for the details on the proposed changes. 

Next Steps

The draft changes to the CIP will be brought to a Council Meeting on February 22, 2023 for adoption. This meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. Members of the public may attend in person of watch the livestream of the meeting at RichmondHill.ca/CouncilMeetings. Please visit the City's Calendar to access the meeting agenda and link to the staff report. Updates to the grant application form and guide will become available on the City's website after the updates come into effect. 

Any person who wishes to speak to Council on the proposed updates to the CIP must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. the day before the meeting. Please register by sending an email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the City’s online form. If you wish to make a written submission, please send it to clerks@richmondhill.ca. Please ensure that you include your name, contact number and address so that you may be contacted, if necessary. For more information, please contact the Office of the Clerk at 905-771-8800 or by e-mail at clerks@richmondhill.ca.