Brownfields Redevelopment  Toolbox

Step 3 - Transaction

Step 3 - Transaction (sub-directory)

Engage Stakeholders

The municipality is now in ready to address its identified brownfield properties and engage the community stakeholders and general public. It is important to recognize who the stakeholders and community leaders are and ensure that each has the opportunity to participate in the brownfields redevelopment process. It is equally important to note that public consultation should be carried out in various degrees throughout the entire process.  

Identify Properties and Assess Ownership

The properties identified in the Inventory and CIP should have been characterized and evaluated. An assessment should have been made to address the project viability of each property and an order of importance as to which properties or Community Improvement Plan Areas should be targeted first. A municipality should establish a protocol for success and visualize desired growth. 

A successful strategy would be to:

  • Approach the most viable sites and identify the owners and stakeholders
  • Engage and educate the owner in the municipality’s CIP
  • Address ownership and compliance issues and orders
Brownfields and Municipal Tax Sales

The “Tax Sales Provision”, under the Municipal Act, 2001, formerly the Municipal Tax Sales Act, permits municipalities to acquire property if a public tax sale fails to find a purchaser. It also provides exemption from liability associated with that property. 
  • A municipality can obtain direct ownership over a brownfield property if the tax sale fails;
  • New Municipal Act provisions provide that, after an unsuccessful tax sale, a municipality may enter onto a property to do environmental site inspections and may decide not to vest (take over) a property for one year;
  • If the municipality takes no further action after the year, the tax sale lapses;
  • The municipality can also use this opportunity to change ownership of properties.
Assign Municipal Staff

The Municipal Team and Brownfields Coordinator should be behind all transactions and aid in successful development plans.
  • Provide municipal aid (assign municipal staff to work with property owners and stakeholders) 
  • Provide and aid in the implementation of municipal tools and incentives
  • Communicate and engage in negotiations of property development or sales
Engage in Public Meetings

It is important to build public support for a brownfields strategy or community improvement plan. Public meeting requirements are set out in section 28 of the Planning Act. 

The Municipal Team should receive feedback from all stakeholders regarding the conceptual plans for redevelopment (i.e. the Community Improvement Plan, Official Plan, Brownfields Redevelopment Strategy, Financial Tools and Incentives, etc.). 

Updates including progress at various planning stages should be made to all stakeholders and residents within and near the Community Improvement Plan Boundary.

Effective outreach to involve community stakeholders may include community education and participation in the brownfield redevelopment process through coordination with:
  • Municipal Team and Brownfields Coordinator
  • Working Group or External Team
  • Project Presentations
  • Community Meetings and Public Input Sessions
  • Local and community newspapers, bulletins and announcements
This is an opportunity to address issues and concerns that will aid the development of a successful brownfields redevelopment strategy and marketing plan.