Updated boundary to the Downtown Mission Action Plan and Downtown Development Incentive Program

Downtown Mission Action Plan

Council adopted the plan as Policy LAN.58 on July 2, 2013.

*to be updated with new DDIP boundary

The Mission City Downtown Action Plan is organized into three main components:

• Five Fundamentals
• Ten Big Moves
• Implementation

The vision statement and the goals in the plan were developed during the planning process. The Ten Big Moves have individual and discrete actions, also listed in the Implementation Section, that when completed will revitalize the downtown.  The document is designed as an action plan to stimulate both private and public investment and improve the economics of the downtown.  Some of the actions can be undertaken immediately, while others will occur over time.

Each action in the Implementation Table (page 54) has a suggested timeframe as well as possible partners, staff roles and responsibilities, and funding sources with high level cost estimates. It is important to note that without design and construction drawings, the actual cost for some projects is difficult to determine and the estimated costs are simply rough estimates at this time. More detail about the actions including sketches and descriptions are found in the Ten Big Moves section of the plan (page 31).

The Downtown Mission Action Plan sets out a clear vision for Downtown Mission as a highly sustainable and unique urban place that is the cultural, civic and social heart of the City. Key to the success of the Downtown Action Plan will be the emphasis on its unique identity, and its desired future as a compact, mixed use vibrant and pedestrian-oriented Downtown.

Downtown Development Incentive Program

The Mission Downtown Development Incentive Program is a package of incentives designed to assist with investment in commercial and residential development projects within the Downtown Core.  They include taxation and fee related considerations, flexibility on parking requirements and building height, as well as facade and signage improvements to both new and existing buildings.

*to be updated with new DDIP boundary

*NEW: Realignment of DDIP Boundaries

On September 8, 2020, Council approved the amendment of a number of municipal bylaws and policies to realign the Downtown Development Incentive Program (DDIP) boundary.

Overview of Changes

The City of Mission Council requested staff to examine options for realigning the Downtown Development Incentive Program (DDIP) boundary to help support the development of affordable rental and ownership housing for residents who could live within an expanded downtown area. By expanding the DDIP boundary, this program’s financial incentives could help facilitate new apartment and mixed-use development adjacent to the downtown core. The DDIP’s financial incentives include:

• Façade Improvement Program
• Property Tax Exemption
• Reduced Application Fees
• Relaxed parking & Building Height – Residential Development
• Reduced Community Amenity Contribution (CAC)

Realigned Downtown Development Incentive Program Boundary

The following map illustrates the approved realignment.

Community Benefits

The revised boundary for this program will provide opportunities for apartment & mixed-use developments to benefit from DDIP’s economic incentives. In turn, the development of new housing units in an expanded program area should provide economic support for downtown businesses with the addition of new residents and customers living next to the downtown core.

Mission’s Housing Needs Assessment noted that there is a shortage of all types of housing in Mission, particularly affordable and rental accommodation. One approach to meeting these needs would be to utilize the DDIP financial initiatives to assist in producing affordable rental and ownership housing units next to the downtown commercial core.

Read the full backgrounder for further details.