Posted: Wednesday October 29, 2025
Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Program Extensions
The City of Brockville’s Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP), first adopted in 2004, aims to revitalize the downtown area by supporting commercial renewal, encouraging new and improved residential spaces, and promoting the conversion of upper floors into housing. Over time, the program has expanded and evolved, with several grant programs established under it. Currently, the active programs include Brownfields, Tax Increment Equivalent for Rehabilitation and Redevelopment (TIERR), and Residential or Commercial Conversion/Rehabilitation (RCCR) grants. Council agreed to extend the program offerings to 2030 to ensure continuity and allow for long-term planning. Council also approved staff’s recommendation to reintroduce the Façade Improvement Grant (FIG) to encourage property owners to enhance downtown building exteriors, with higher funding limits proposed. The 2025 Budget includes $35,000 for the RCCR program, and staff will request $70,000 in the 2026 Budget to support both FIG and RCCR initiatives.
Increase to Development Charges
Under Ontario’s Development Charges Act, 1997, municipalities can collect development charges (DCs) to help pay for new infrastructure and services needed because of growth. These charges are not a tax but a way to recover costs resulting from development. Brockville’s previous DC By-law (012-2020) expired in early 2025, but a 2024 amendment allowed the City to keep collecting DCs while preparing a new by-law. A consultant was retained to complete a background study which is required under the legislation. Following public and developer consultations and Council review, changes to the background study are being recommended which will result in a more reasonable increase to the rate of DCs. The proposed new rate for the development of a single detached home is $11,138 which represents a 57% overall decrease from the original proposal. Council can choose to maintain, reduce, or eliminate DCs, but lowering or removing them would mean finding other funding sources, likely leading to higher annual taxes to cover growth-related infrastructure costs. A final DC bylaw will come forward for consideration prior to the end of 2025.
Intention to Designate the Brockville Public Library and the Brockville’ Art’s Centre under Ontario Heritage Act
At their meeting earlier this month, Council agreed to proceed with the designation of two city owned properties under the Ontario Heritage Act. Designating a property in this way is meant to protect historic or culturally important buildings as it ensures consideration of heritage value be given prior to making any changes to a property. Brockville currently has 22 designated heritage properties, with the last one added in 1992. The Council decision follows from recommendations arising from the Municipal Heritage Committee to designate the Brockville Public Library and the Brockville Art’s Centre as heritage properties based on provincial criteria. The next steps include posting a notice of intent to designate, allowing 30 days for objections or comments, and then passing a by-law within 90 days.
Market Street West Washroom and Other Capital Projects
Council previously provided approval for the design and build of a washroom at the corner of Market Street West and Water Street as part of the 2024 and 2025 Capital Budgets. Following a change in direction earlier this year, staff have reported back with costs of a modular, self-cleaning washroom at a total cost of $381,000. Council approved additional expenses required for this project considering the savings related to cleaning and the deterrence of vandalism which has been a concern at other city facilities. In advance of the 2026 Budget, Council also received reports related to the Elm Street Pedestrian Bridge replacement/repair, beautification of King Street and replacement of City owned docks. 2026 Budget deliberations are expected to formally begin in January.
Council Requests Via Rail Reconsider Reductions to Service
Following the announcement of a proposed pilot project that would reduce passenger train service for City residents and visitors, Council passed a resolution urging Via Rail Canada to reconsider the plan and instead explore route improvements and scheduling enhancements for mid-corridor communities like Brockville. Although Via Rail has since decided to hold off on implementing any stop reductions, the resolution will still be shared with Via Rail, the Minister of Transport, local MP Michael Barrett, MPP Steve Clark, and other relevant stakeholders.
Proclamations
- Council proclaimed October 21st as Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day
- November is Women Abuse Prevention Month. The flag of the Leeds and Grenville Interval House will be flown at Tunnel Bay November 25-December 11 in recognition of 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
Looking ahead
Planning and Development Committee Meeting November 4, 2025 at 4:30 pm- Due to a limited number of agenda items, the Planning and Development Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th has been cancelled. All items will be considered by Council at their meeting on November 11th.
- Council Meeting November 11, 2025 at 5:30 pm
- General Committee Meeting November 18, 2025 at 4:30 pm
- Council Meeting November 25, 2025 at 5:30 pm
For more information, contact the Clerk’s Department at clerk@brockville.com
Agendas and meeting minutes are available at Brockville Civic web