Planting seeds

Community Benefits framework aims to make development work for everyone

Housing developers leave a permanent mark on the landscape and community. They convert fields that once grew food or lay fallow into neighbourhoods, shops and homes. In the process, they make a great deal of money. The preexisting communities surrounding these fields and open spaces must contend with the consequences—higher density, increased traffic, reduced green space, and so on.

Astute developers know the decades-long development process works better when the existing community feels part of the success— when they can participate in the upside.

The concept of community benefits is an old one, but tends to be applied unevenly— if at all—in smaller communities. When they are employed, such bargains are typically improvised and hastily arranged.

A new alliance in Prince Edward County is seeking to formalize a community benefit package that will be presented to developers early on in the planning process. The package will outline the priorities and principles that have been previously defined, tested, and validated within the community. Developers may then choose from a menu of ways in which their project can contribute to the place they intend to build.

Rather than cobbling together an arrangement on the fly, formalizing the community benefit process and integrating it into the planning process enables everyone to know the rules of play from the outset. There are no surprises. And no awkward negotiations later on.

The aim is to secure “social goods such as jobs and training opportunities, affordable housing, and community infrastructure” through the development process. It is a tool used in many cities across the country. Now, it is being fitted to rural places such as Prince Edward County.

The community benefit framework in Prince Edward County is the product of extensive consultation driven by Thrive PEC, a community development initiative funded and promoted by The County Foundation, Community Futures and the County of Prince Edward. The Prince Edward County Learning Centre (PELC) joined the initiative, lending its experience and community insight to the partnership.

The community benefits framework has identified seven aims: an equitable process, affordable housing, economic diversity, decent work, climate protection, arts and cultural heritage, and community assets. It encompasses a broad range of goals designed to provide developers with an entry point that aligns with their own brand, objectives, or areas of expertise. While it is meant to be flexible, the expectations are clear and presented upfront. All parties understand the rules of play.

Developers get certainty and choice—the community gets assets and features it had few other means to achieve.

The community benefits framework was unveiled last week at a ceremony in Bloomfield on the site of the former Pinecrest Elementary School. Plans are afoot to convert the school into 50 units of affordable housing.

The Pinecrest Housing project is prioritizing local hiring and creating opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, including women, people with disabilities, BIPOC residents, and economically marginalized individuals.

“We commend Pinecrest Housing for stepping up as a partner in this work,” said Gillian Armstrong, interim executive director of The County Foundation. “Their leadership sets the tone for future development in the County.”

“When we work together, we are stronger,” notes Pinecrest Housing Project Facilitator Ken How. “I’ve done enough team sports in my life to know a team works better together.”

By clearly spelling out the community’s expectations and incorporating opportunities into the planning process, a community benefit package can make development work for everyone.