The BIA mechanism is described below:

What is a BIA?

A BIA is a géographically-defined area in which local business and property owners join
together, with the help of their Municipal government, to improve and promote their business
district. A BLA is funded through a tax levy on all commercial properties within its boundaries
- and is therefore fully self-supporting. There are now over twenty BLA's in British Columbia,
with several others in the formative stages - including Port Moody and Cloverdale.

The mandate of a BIA is to enhance the viability of the local business district through research,
strategic planning, physical improvements, marketing and promotional activities. ‘The BLA
mechanism can assist us in developing a unique identity, and creating a “sense of place” in

Downtown Port Coquitlam.

ive-Yenr BIA Bylaw and Kunding Ceiling

The City of Port Coquitlam can enact a BLA bylaw (similar to a local improvement bylaw) that
authorizes an additional levy to be charged against each class 5 and 6 property within the
defined BLA boundaries, for the purpose of promoting the business area. A BIA bylaw usually
stipulates a five-year term with a five-year funding celling. The community may decide to vary
its budget on a year to year basis, however, the maximum amount of funds available over the

five-period is set and cannot be exceeded.

ssessment Method of Calculating the BIA Leyy

BIA !egislation permits three methods of calculating BLA levies: assessment, frontage and
parcel, The most practical and vommionly used method for calculating each property owner's

contribution is the assessment method - whereby each property owner pays a proportionate
levy, based on the value of their property as a portion of the total assessed value within the
BIA boundaries. Individual leasing arrangements determine tenant contributions towards the

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The legislation stipulates that a BLA can be established through either the council initiative or
petition process. Almost all BIA's in British Columbia have been created through the council

initiative process.

After the BLA sponsor has undertaken an information and lobbying campaign, official property
owner support/opposition is measured through the council initiative (referendum) process.

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