“One of Council’s priorities is business retention and expansion. By streamlining the sign by-law, we are reducing barriers for businesses and enhancing customer service, fostering a thriving and vibrant downtown core where businesses can focus on growth and innovation,” said Mayor Don McIsaac.

Key highlights of the sign by-law changes include:

• Simplified Process: Downtown Orillia Business Improvement Area (DOBIA) staff will no longer review sign applications in addition to the City. All applications will be made directly to the City of Orillia for review and approval.
• Greater Flexibility: Restrictions on signage design, such as font, colour, and logo size limits, have been removed, providing businesses more freedom to promote their brand.
• Reduced Timeframes: The average time to obtain a sign permit will drop by 40 per cent.

The simplified process resulted from a Lean project, focused on optimizing value and time, and reflects feedback from downtown businesses. According to a recent DOBIA survey, 76 per cent favoured less restrictive signage criteria.

“This is a game-changer for downtown businesses,” said Michael Fredson, Chair of the Downtown Orillia BIA. “The revised by-law aligns with the realities of running a business today. It streamlines processes, cuts costs, and allows our members to focus on what matters, which is delivering great products and services to Orillia residents and visitors.”

Downtown businesses can learn more about when sign permits are required and the changes to the process by visiting orillia.ca/SignPermits or by contacting the Development Services and Engineering Department at 705-329-7258.

The post City Adopts Streamlined Sign By-Law For Downtown Orillia appeared first on Muskoka411.

“Downtown Orillia plays a vital role in the overall health and vibrancy of our city and is a gathering place for residents and visitors alike,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “I encourage everyone to take the time to read the draft Downtown Tomorrow Plan Update and provide your feedback. Your input and engagement are vital as we work together to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable downtown for generations to come.”

Members of the public, organizations, and other interested parties can view the updated plan, overview video, and complete the online survey at orillia.ca/DowntownTomorrow. Written comments can also be provided via email to Jill Lewis, Senior Planner, at jlewis@orillia.ca. If you need assistance or require an alternative method to complete the survey or view the virtual open house, please contact Jill Lewis at jlewis@orillia.ca or call 705-418-3232.

The Downtown Tomorrow Plan Update builds on the successes of the 2012 plan and identifies new goals to guide actions during the next 10 to 20 years. The draft plan update was informed by input received through various engagement opportunities over the past year, including workshops, open houses, interviews with various parties, and public survey results.

The draft plan proposes to establish seven goals for the downtown:

1. Increase the residential population and offer a full range of housing options.
2. Reinforce downtown as a civic and institutional hub.
3. Acknowledge Orillia’s Indigenous history and reinforce its cultural resources.
4. Enhance the shopping and dining experience.
5. Improve connections downtown and enhance safety.
6. Create and enhance space for playing, gathering, and relaxing.
7. Promote Orillia as a year-round destination and enhance the visitor experience.

The draft plan also proposes 31 strategic initiatives to be pursued over the next 20 years to achieve the seven goals listed above for the downtown. These include initiatives such as building on the Orillia Waterfront Centre to create a multi-purpose recreation hub at the waterfront or improving active transportation connections to the Orillia Recreation Centre.

Many of the strategic initiatives identified in the original 2012 Downtown Tomorrow Plan have been implemented or are underway, such as the Waterfront Redevelopment Project, connecting Coldwater Road to Centennial Drive, and the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan.

The draft Downtown Tomorrow Plan update was presented to Council on June 17, 2024. Once input is received from Council, interested parties and the community, the final plan will be presented for Council’s consideration this fall.

To read the full draft Downtown Tomorrow Plan update, and to provide your input, please visit orillia.ca/DowntownTomorrow.

The post Help Shape The Future Of Downtown Orillia appeared first on Muskoka411.

This decision, though difficult, is necessary for the overall safety of pedestrians within the downtown and to maintain the integrity of our streetscape. At this time, trees will not be immediately replanted. We are planning a comprehensive streetscape improvement project that will assess the best options for reintroducing greenery in a way that balances aesthetic appeal with environmental responsibility. The guiding principle for this project will be ‘the right trees, in the right applications, in the right locations’.

The City will be collaborating with the Downtown Orillia BIA to mitigate disruption to businesses, visitors and residents within the downtown.

Key Highlights:

• Approximately 50 trees will be removed from the BIA core area.
• Trees that are healthy and are not negatively impacting infrastructure will remain in place at this time.
• To reduce the impact to visitors and businesses within the downtown, an accelerated work schedule has been planned. Work will begin in early to mid-August and a more detailed schedule will be provided in July.
• Planned events will be incorporated into the work schedule to avoid impacts.
• Trees will be removed and sidewalks will be repaired from Monday to Friday.
• Businesses will experience disruption including noise, dust and modified pedestrian access.
• Every effort will be taken to ensure safe access to all businesses during operating hours. Work that may impact a business’ ability to be open to the public will be performed after such business’ operating hours.
• Comprehensive safety precautions will be put in place.
• Sporadic and short-term lane closures may be required and will only occur as necessary.
• Sidewalk repairs will be made using coloured concrete to closely match the adjacent paving stones.

Should you have any questions related to the repairs underway, please call Cheryl Remm, Director of Facilities, Operations and Climate Change, at 705-325-2395 or Carrie Underwood, EIS Technologist, at 705-325-8434. For information related to the impacts to businesses, its staff and/or its patrons please contact Deron Johnston, General Manager of the Downtown Orillia BIA, at deron@downtownorillia.ca or 705-325-3997.

The post Notice Of Downtown Orillia BIA Sidewalk Repairs And Tree Removal appeared first on Muskoka411.

As recommended by the Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB) and the Parking Advisory Committee (PAC), new parking rates will take effect in the downtown beginning May 1, 2023.

As part of the 2024 budget process, the DOMB and PAC were requested by Council to provide an assessment of the current on-street metered parking rates, off-street Pay-and-Display parking rates, and off-street permit parking rates in conjunction with City staff. As a result, on April 17, 2023, a recommendation was put forward to implement a demand-based pricing structure, which was approved by Council.

“I would like to commend the Downtown Orillia Management Board, the Parking Advisory Committee and staff for this collaborative effort to bring innovative recommendations for parking to the table,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “Parking rates for on-street and Pay-and-Display parking have remained the same for over a decade. With the new structure residents and visitors can choose the parking option that best suits their needs based on location and pricing. A demand-based pricing structure will help us grow into the future by improving parking turnover in high-demand areas, encouraging parking in other lots and providing additional funding needed to maintain lots and equipment.”

The following on-street parking rates will be in effect May 1, 2023:

High Demand: $3 per hour
Mississaga Street East
West Street North
West Street South

Low Demand: $1.75 per hour
Mississaga Street West
All downtown side streets with metered parking

The following off-street Pay-and-Display parking rates will be in effect June 1, 2023:

High Demand: $1.25 per hour
Municipal Pay-and-Display Parking Lots 2 and 5

Low Demand: $1 per hour
All other Municipal Pay-and-Display Parking Lots

The following monthly permit rates will be in effect June 1, 2023:

High Demand: $70 per month
Municipal Parking Lots 1 and 7

Low Demand: $60 per month

Municipal Parking Lot 11

Low Demand: $55 per month

Municipal Parking Lots 3, 6 and 14

“Our downtown is an exciting and busy place to visit with a great mix of retail, restaurants, services, and the arts. One of the biggest challenges we are facing is that of sufficient curb parking availability throughout central parts of our downtown,” said Michael Fredson, Chair of the DOMB. “Demand-based pricing that the City is implementing will help by encouraging people to spread parking throughout the downtown. This solution also provides the least overall impact by only increasing 13% of the parking spaces by more than $0.25. The majority of the parking lot spaces will remain at $1 per hour. Together the DOMB, the City, and the Parking Advisory Committee consider this demand-based pricing a solution to improve the serviceability of parking in Downtown Orillia.”

The City of Orillia’s downtown has almost 700 parking spaces available within 12 municipal parking lots and on-street parking. Depending on the location, residents and visitors can pay by coin or with credit card. The Passport Parking mobile application is accepted at all locations to pay, extend, and manage parking sessions conveniently and is available to download from all major app stores.

For more information about parking in the City of Orillia, visit the City’s website at orillia.ca/parking or contact the Legislative Services Division at 705-325-2313.

The post New Parking Rates Begin On May 1, 2023 In Downtown Orillia appeared first on Muskoka411.

“We look forward to working with the community to build a vision and direction for the future of our downtown,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “The workshops in May will provide an opportunity to share and discuss ideas for enhancing the downtown. We encourage residents and other stakeholders to sign up to participate and have their say on their vision for Downtown Orillia.”

Everyone is welcome to participate in the workshops on one or both days; however, space is limited and you must pre-register to attend. Registration is available at orillia.ca/downtowntomorrow. For those who are unable to attend the workshops, an online survey will be available later in May at orillia.ca/downtowntomorrow.

The workshops will consist of the following:

(Day 1) May 9, 2023

6:30 to 9 p.m.

Green Room, Orillia Opera House (20 Mississaga St. W.)

Kick-off presentation regarding how the downtown has changed since the original Downtown Tomorrow Plan was adopted in 2012. Discussion of challenges and opportunities the downtown faces today. Participants will be encouraged to share their thoughts on boards and in conversations with members of the project team.

(Day 2) May 10, 2023

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Second Floor, Creative Nomad Studios (23 Mississaga St. W.)

A series of facilitated roundtable workshops will be held to explore a range of potential initiatives under the following topics: Living Downtown, Visiting Downtown, Playing Downtown, and Creating Downtown.

“Many of the strategic initiatives identified in the 2012 Downtown Tomorrow Plan have been implemented or are underway, such as the Waterfront Redevelopment Project, connecting Coldwater Road to Centennial Drive, and the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan,” said Ian Sugden, General Manager of Development Services and Engineering. “Through these workshops and survey, we will gather input to update the plan to build on the improvements that have taken place over the past decade.”

Visit orillia.ca/downtowntomorrow for more information on the Downtown Tomorrow Plan and the upcoming workshops.

The post Help Shape The Future Of Downtown Orillia On May 9 And 10 appeared first on Muskoka411.