26 City of Chilliwack STRATEGIC GOAL #5: VIBRANT ECONOMY Contract with CEPCO for economic development and encouragement of development in the downtown area. Work to create an environment that is positive to business creation. HOW WE WILL GET THERE WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2022 OPEN FOR BUSINESS Attract and maintain business growth. Worked with Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) to set mutual priorities for economic development. Continued to provide low business taxes and fees compared to other Lower Mainland communities to attract and retain business within the city. Promoted Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw to attract business expansion and reinvestment within the community. Worked with the Chilliwack Economic Recovery/Resource Network (CERN) to develop and facilitate strategies to assist and support local businesses in economic recovery from COVID-19. Continued construction of a City Hall expansion to better serve the public. Participating member of the Fraser Valley Intermunicipal Business Licence program. Licence sales have nearly quadrupled since the program began in 2013. PLANNING Ensure plans are in place to facilitate regional growth predictions. Chilliwack's Official Community Plan and Comprehensive Municipal Plan continue to accommodate regional growth. Completed the Yarrow and South Vedder Neighbourhood Plans. Developed a new land use and growth projections model to support growth management decisions by staff. Created the Heritage Strategic Action Plan to preserve, conserve, and maintain the community's heritage resources. STRATEGIC GOAL #5 CONTINUED: VIBRANT ECONOMY Contract with CEPCO for economic development and encouragement of development in the downtown area. Work to create an environment that is positive to business creation. HOW WE WILL GET THERE WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2022 TOURISM Maintain, enhance and promote Chilliwack’s natural beauty and walkability. Consistently applied the Hillside Development Standards Policy to integrate hillside development within its unique natural context. New sidewalk installed on Balmoral Road, from Tyson Road to Lanark Street, to improve pedestrian connectivity. Enhanced crosswalks with pedestrian activated flashing beacons at four locations. Created short-term rental regulations to modernize tourist accommodations in the previous Bed & Breakfast Bylaw. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION Encourage redevelopment in the downtown area. Revitalization tax exemptions available to promote business reinvestment in the downtown core. Multi-phase downtown redevelopment at District 1881 is well underway with a number of commercial businesses operating successfully within the site. Installed 39 new LED streetlights in the downtown area. Completed storm sewer upgrades on Williams Road and Yale Road to support redevelopment in the downtown area. Constructed new downtown public parking lot on Princess Avenue at Nowell Street. Road rehabilitation on several downtown streets: • Yale Road – Nowell Street to Charles Street • Nowell Street – First Avenue to Yale Road • Yale Road – Main Street to Princess Avenue • Wellington Avenue – Mill Street to Charles Street • Spadina Avenue – First Avenue to Yale Road • Williams Street – Reece Avenue to Yale Road Approved public art to continue to enhance the downtown area. Annual Report 2022 27
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