Public Input Invited on Community Improvement Plan Revisions

Proposed amendments to the CIP Private Sector Incentive Program seek to address critical housing needs through new incentive programs available across the Township. 

MUSKOKA LAKES, ON, November 6, 2025 – The Township of Muskoka Lakes (“Township”) is seeking public feedback on amendments made to the Community Improvement Plan (“CIP”), a planning tool that aims to support strategic community investment priorities.

The proposed changes will update the CIP Private Sector Incentive Program to include a suite of new and enhanced housing-focused incentive programs intended to stimulate attainable and employee housing development throughout the Township.

“When we invest in housing, we invest in people,” said Mayor Peter Kelley. “By broadening the scope of this program to address critical housing needs, we’re working to create the conditions for families, workers, and businesses to be able to establish lasting roots and thrive in Muskoka Lakes.”

Proposed Program Updates

The proposed updates are centered around amendments to the CIP Private Sector Incentive Program, developed in consultation with The Planning Partnership. These amendments continue, revise, and expand existing programs, and introduces new grant programs focused on housing.

Under the proposed amendments:

• Four existing programs, including the Shoreline Structure Grant, Ecological Space Grant, Business Structural and Mechanical Upgrade Grant, and Business Accessibility and Façade Upgrade Grant remain unchanged and continue to apply to the Bala and Port Carling project areas.
• One revised program, the existing Attainable and Employee Housing Grant, would be revised and replaced with an updated Employee Housing Grant Program that applies across the Township (excluding waterfront properties) and supports housing for workers in all industries.
• Five new housing incentive programs are proposed for the entire Township, including:

1. 1. Attainable Housing Feasibility Grant Program – assists developers in evaluating the viability of new attainable housing projects.
   2. Additional Dwelling Unit Program – encourages the addition of secondary suites or accessory units in existing residential areas.
   3. Municipal Fee Grant Program – intends to reduce the up-front costs in constructing new housing, by providing incentives to cover building permit fees or planning application fees.
   4. Development Charges Grant Equivalent Program – offers rebates for Township development charges associated with attainable housing projects.
   5. Tax Increment Equivalency Grant Program – provides financial incentives over a 10-year period to offset increased taxation resulting from new attainable housing development.

A revised CIP Private Sector Incentive Program Policy will accompany the update, including a refined definition of “attainable housing” to ensure eligibility reflects a range of modest ownership and rental options.

Financial Highlights

Since the CIP’s adoption in 2023, Council has approved 19 private sector applications, awarding $316,301.41 in grants and leveraging more than $1.2 million in private investment. Approximately $102,421.46 in unallocated funding remains available as of October 2025, with an additional $100,000 proposed in the 2026 Municipal Budget.

Public Consultation and Next Steps

Community feedback on the proposed amendments will be accepted until Wednesday, November 26, 2025, through an online survey hosted on Engage Muskoka Lakes: Community Improvement Plan | Updates | Engage Muskoka Lakes

All input will be summarized and presented at a public Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025. Meeting details will be available through the Township’s Government Portal and the Engage Muskoka Lakes project page.

To learn more about the program, review the proposed changes or to provide feedback, visit: Community Improvement Plan | Updates | Engage Muskoka Lakes

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For program information, please contact:
James Cox
Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives Officer
(705) 765-3156 x279
jcox@muskokalakes.ca 

For general or media inquires, please contact:
Mia Palantzas
Communications Advisor
(705) 765-3156 x360
communications@muskokalakes.ca

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