Development Incentive Program

At the beginning of 2010, the City introduced the Development Incentive Program.  This Program is designed to further the goals of the Smart Growth Plan, encouraging industrial relocation and residential densification.  For this reason, the Program focuses mainly on providing tax abatements in two primary areas: the Engle Business District and Downtown.

Residential Intensification

Tax abatement is available for buildings with a minimum of four dwelling units (not applicable to single family dwellings).  Within the Primary area, a full five year abatement (offering 100% tax abatement each year) is available.  It is capped at $3 million for existing development, with no cap for new development within the primary target area.  A declining abatement (reducing in equal increments over five years, 100%-80%-60%-40%-20%) may be applied to the secondary area of residential intensification.

Primary Target Area – Downtown (Core area Commercial and Centretown Zoning Districts)

Secondary Target Area – Old Airport Road

Residential Intensification Map 

Industrial Relocation

The Industrial Relocation Incentive encourages relocation of “Industrial” uses from Lands throughout the City to the Engle Business District.  A declining five year abatement (100%-80%-60%-40%-20%) is available.  This Incentive is comprised of two categories:

1. Sender Lands – Includes Old Airport Road, Imperial Oil Lands near Negus Point, Old Town, Downtown and the Kam Lake Industrial Park.
2. Receiver Lands – Includes the Engle Business District.

Abatement is applicable to either the Sender Lands or Receiver Lands, but not both.

Industrial Relocation Map

Brownfield Redevelopment

The Brownfield Redevelopment Incentive component offers a declining five year abatement (100%-80%-60%-40%-20%) to encourage remediation and redevelopment of sites.  This program is applicable City-wide and includes portions of Giant and Con Mine which have been remediated and are suitable for development and redevelopment.

LEED

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Incentive is designed to promote innovation in high standards of green building and site design throughout the City.  A declining five year abatement (100%-80%-60%-40%-20%) is available for development City-wide.

*Note: A maximum of one extra full year abatement may be granted for applications which combine two of the programs outlined above (i.e. a residential intensification project which includes remediation of a brownfield site).

Heritage Grant

The Heritage Preservation Incentive is proposed to promote preservation or architecturally sensitive restoration of heritage buildings or properties within Yellowknife.  This Incentive is applicable City-wide and the total abatement shall be the lesser of:

·         50% of eligible work costs;

·         $50,000; or

·         10 years total property taxes.

Please find copies of the Development Incentive By-law and Application Form below:

Development Incentive Program By-law No. 4534 (includes application forms and maps)

Development Incentive Program Application (includes maps)