City initiative process: options

A City initiative is one of two methods available that would result in the construction of improvements to local areas. This method is used only in situations that would benefit the general public, or as a means of implementing programs supported by local area communities and City Council.

In order for a City initiative to be defeated:

• at least 50% of the affected owners must oppose
• the combined value of all these owners must represent at least 50% of the value for the entire block.

Initiative projects are identified based on:

• local area plans
• maintenance issues
• safety issues
• request for assistance from individuals or organizations.

Any request for assistance are reviewed and evaluated before being considered for inclusion to the List of City Initiatives.

Once an initiative project is identified, formal notices will be sent to the affected owners proposing the improvement. The notices will provide the owners with associated costs and other information necessary to make an informed decision. If the property owners oppose the proposal for improvement they are encouraged to send or fax us a short note indicating their opposition.

Some owners may wish to canvass other owners to oppose the proposal. For these individuals we have available a formal "Notice of Objection" opposing the proposal. In addition to the "Notice of Objection" form, we also provide a list of owners that are eligible to sign.

Once the "Notice of Objection" is returned to us it is reviewed to ensure there is sufficient opposition to defeat the proposed improvement. The signatures are matched to the name of the registered owners as appearing on the records kept by the Collector of Taxes. If the signatures are illegible or do not match, they will be excluded from the count for those in opposition.

After the count is completed and there is sufficient signatures in opposition, the project is considered defeated and will not be advanced to a Court of Revision

[top]