The Municipality of Clarington is undertaking a review and update of its Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Since 2005, the Municipality has been implementing CIPs that focus on Commercial Downtown and Main Street Improvements in four CIP areas – Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono and Courtice. In 2025, Council endorsed the 2025-26 Economic Development Action Plan, which included initiating the review of the CIP as a priority action.

Sierra Planning & Management, in association with MHBC, has been retained by the Municipality of Clarington to review and update Clarington’s existing CIPs, ensuring the program aligns with current legislation, the Municipality’s strategic priorities, and the community's evolving needs.

What is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool available to municipalities under Section 28 of the Planning Act. CIPs help facilitate revitalization and redevelopment efforts in defined area(s). To carry out CIPs, municipalities can establish grants, loans, and other programs to encourage private sector investment in development and renovation projects which seek to improve areas in accordance with local goals and priorities.

How can a CIP help business and property owners?

Private property owners and businesses in designated CIP areas can take advantage of financial incentive programs contained in CIPs to achieve a range of community improvement goals such as improving property façades and redeveloping property.

The CIP update will:

• Identify current issues facing Clarington’s business and development community;

• Explore opportunities to consolidate the four existing CIPs into a unified framework;

• Examine the potential expansion of the CIP Area to include the entire Municipality of Clarington;

• Review and adjust existing incentive programs while identifying new ones to support community priorities and emerging sectors; and

• Tailor incentive programs to specific areas such as commercial downtowns, employment areas, rural properties, and purpose-built rental and affordable housing developments.

The CIP review and update will also incorporate concise, user-friendly Design Guidelines to establish clear design direction, support relevant incentive programs, and guide the Municipality in evaluating private projects eligible for CIP incentives. The guidelines will ensure that physical improvements to buildings and/or new signage will align with and contribute positively to the character of Clarington’s communities.

Public Meeting information

To meet the requirements of the Planning Act, the updated Community Improvement Plan must be adopted and implemented by by-law. The Municipality is also proposing an Official Plan Amendment to designate all of Clarington as a Community Improvement Project Area. This approach would provide greater flexibility to introduce new CIP programs, while also identifying priority areas where targeted programs may apply.

Clarington Council will hold a Public Meeting on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to consider the proposed Community Improvement Plan and associated Official Plan Amendment. The purpose of this meeting is to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes and provide comments.

Join us online or in person on June 15, 2026, to learn more about the draft Community Improvement Plan and share your feedback.

Date: Monday, June 15, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Online or in person in Council Chambers, Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville

Watch the livestream at www.clarington.net/Calendar.

How to speak at the public meeting

If you are attending online and wish to speak at the public meeting, please pre-register by completing the online form at www.clarington.net/Delegations or contact the Clerk’s Division at 905-623-3379 ext. 2109 or clerks@clarington.net by Wednesday, June 10, at noon. Once registered, staff will provide further instructions. If you are attending in person, you do not need to pre-register as a delegate to speak at the meeting.

How to provide comments

We encourage you to submit your comments to Glen Macfarlane, Economic Development Officer at 905-623-3379 ext. 2446, gmacfarlane@clarington.net or by mail or drop box to 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6, so your feedback can be considered throughout the review process.

Interested Parties List

You can request to be added to the interested parties list to receive updates regarding this amendment. If you wish to be notified of the decision of Clarington Council, you must submit a written request to the Municipal Clerk at 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3A6.