Hamilton City Council will debate the creation of three new “green” development incentive programs at the next planning committee meeting in two weeks on April 30.
The new programs will replace the City’s existing incentives for LEED-compliant developments.
City planner Johnpaul Loiacono told the Development Industry Liaison Group that the three programs will be: a Study Grant program (to incentivize sustainability-related studies), a GREEN Hamilton Bayfront Industrial Area Retrofit Grant Program, and a GREEN Hamilton Development Tax Increment Grant Program.
Study Grant Program
The new incentive will fund up to “50 percent of the cost of an eligible student to a maximum of $10,000” for most developments, with non-profit housing projects eligible for 100 percent reimbursement up to $20,000.
Eligible studies “may show metrics related to things like operational energy use, life cycle assessment (embodied carbon) and operational cost savings.”
GREEN Hamilton Bayfront Industrial Area Retrofit Grant Program
“This program is intended to provide grants that will support physical improvements to existing industrial and commercial buildings within the Bayfront Industrial Area” and will provide up to 50 percent of the cost of improvements that result in a “50 percent reduction” in greenhouse gas emissions.
GREEN Hamilton Development Tax Increment Grant Program
This program, which will be provided as a tax increment-based grant, will reward developers who exceed the city’s new green building standards.
The grant amounts will increase based upon meeting “stringent conditions.”
Specifics to be Released for April 30 Council GIC Meeting
Loiacono did not provide specifics about criteria for the grants, saying, “things could technically change from now till April 30th.”
If Council approves the programs, and there are no appeals filed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, Loiacono states staff could implement them “as soon as sometime in Q3 of this year.”
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Published: April 14, 2025
Last updated: April 14, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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