The Municipality of Wawa's taken a major step toward finalizing a key plan for the downtown.
In a special meeting under the planning act last night, consultants WSP outlined the proposed Downtown Community Improvement Plan, noting the planning and economic development tool establishes a framework to achieve community-tailored goals, in this case revitalizing Wawa's downtown, including encouraging redevelopment or reinvestment in underutilized or unused properties.
Following up on a 2008 plan - which was never implemented - the new CIP proposes twelve financial incentive programs, including three housing-focused grants - one for exploring the feasibility and developing affordable housing, another for residential "intensification" by utilizing the upper storeys of buildings with a commercial business on the ground floor - plus nine general grants or rebates, including to address accessibility, for beautification, to develop "brownfield" sites, improve building facades or signage, and improve energy efficiency, or helping with planning or building fees or tax increases after major improvements.
It does recommend enhancements to gateway and wayfinding signage for the area, along with public art installations, crosswalk improvements, Broadway Avenue streetscaping, and even seasonal repurposing of some on-street parking areas for sitting areas.
In addition, the report proposes urban design guidelines - not requirements, but suggestions - and WSP suggested the Municipality amend its zoning by-law to further support downtown housing, though that is not part of the CIP itself.
Adoption of the plan's expected to come up for a Council vote next month.