BIA Renewals 2023 Approval

Motion 8 · Council Meeting, November 15, 2022

On Consent

Summary

Two Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) — Dunbar Village and Robson Street — are up for renewal as their current 5-year terms expire March 31, 2023.
The Dunbar Village BIA, first established in 2007, is seeking a shorter 3-year renewal (April 2023–March 2026) with a funding ceiling of $500,000; the cautious term and budget reflect lingering pandemic uncertainty expressed by members.
The proposed Dunbar Village year-1 budget is $155,250, at a levy rate of $0.33 per $1,000 of assessed property value; the funding ceiling represents a 12% decrease over the previous term when adjusted for length.
The Robson Street BIA is seeking a 5-year renewal (April 2023–March 2028) with a funding ceiling of $3,916,894; property owners and tenants within each BIA boundary will be formally notified and given opportunity to submit objections.
Both BIA managing societies have completed member outreach, including consultation with property and business owners and approval of renewal resolutions at their Annual General Meetings.
Staff recommend Council confirm each BIA's managing society as sponsor, approve the renewal initiatives, forward applications to the Court of Revision, and approve the proposed funding ceilings.