Title
CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION MATTER - BUSINESS ATTRACTION (ECD005-24).
1. That the Employment Lands Strategy Update 2024 as outlined in Appendix ‘A’ to Confidential Staff Report ECD005-24 be received.
2. That staff prioritize strategies for the development of employment lands, investment attraction, and business growth by following means:
a) Incentivization through the development of an Employment Lands Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP);
b) Investigation of options for the acquisition and/or cooperative development of employment lands parcels;
c) Consideration of opportunities for further advancement of capital projects in the Capital Plan to unlock potential employment lands development opportunities.
3. That staff in the Economic and Creative Development Department, with the support of Legal Services, Development Services, and Finance staff, be directed to proceed with the public consultation process for the development of an Employment Lands Development CIP based on the proposed framework presented in confidential staff report ECD005-24 and described in Confidential Appendix “C”, including the scheduling of the required statutory public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act, as soon as possible, and report back to General Committee in early 2025 with recommendations, including funding and resource requirements.
4. That Economic and Creative Development staff, with the support of Legal Services, Development Services, and Finance Department staff be directed to further investigate the options and considerations for the acquisition and/or cooperative development of employment land parcels, as presented in Confidential Appendix “B” of confidential staff report ECD005-24, and to report back to General Committee with development and fiscal considerations as required.
5. That the Chief Administrative Officer or their designate have the authority to allocate funds of up to $100,000 from the Commercial/Industrial Lands Reserve for the purpose of conducting any preliminary environmental and/or technical analysis related to the acquisition and/or cooperative development of employment land parcels as presented in Confidential Appendix “B” in confidential staff report ECD005-24.