Brownfield Community Improvement Plan Update

For more information on the CIP Update or to be added to the notification list, please email CIPs@welland.ca

Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) are formal planning tools authorized under the Ontario Planning Act. A CIP allows municipalities to offer programs, grants, and incentives to revitalize areas of a city or community. City Councils may define an area of a municipality as a Community Improvement Area because of factors such as it’s age, dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement, unsuitability of buildings, or for any other environmental, social, or community economic development reason.

A brownfield can be defined as an abandoned, idled, or underutilized property with an active potential for redevelopment, where redevelopment is complicated by known or suspected environmental contamination. Brownfields are usually but not always former industrial or commercial properties.

The City of Welland has initiated an update to its existing Brownfield CIP. The objective of this CIP update is to continue supporting economic growth, sustainability, human and ecological health, and enhancing the community's livability by remediating and redeveloping brownfields in Welland. This CIP will be built off of the current Brownfield CIP adopted in 2018 and take into consideration current and future development trends as related to brownfield redevelopment.

The updated Brownfield Community Improvement Plan aims to:

• Continue to support brownfield remediation by encouraging redevelopment of brownfield sites;
• Review and update the current Brownfield CIP incentives and program requirements as it relates to current and future development landscape;
• Engage the community by gathering insights through a range of engagement activities to ensure the project aligns with local priorities and supports a sense of community

The project’s activities include:

• Background analysis and assessment: Review existing CIP performance, identify strengths, and address any issues to improve the updated CIP initiatives;
• An environmental scan of existing brownfield sites in the City;
• Public consultation and engagement: Host workshops, focus groups, and surveys to collect feedback and input from residents, development community, and other key stakeholders;
• Partnership Strategy: Identify opportunities for the municipality to be a key partner in redeveloping contaminated lands beyond financial incentives

This project represents a transformative opportunity for Welland, aiming to breathe new life into brownfield sites, increase economic opportunities, and upgrade the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.