The second draft of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s new official plan is out now and available to view — a 405-page document that has, so far, received limited public feedback.
Kirsten McCauley, the town’s director of community and development services and one of the plan’s key architects, told The Lake Report on Monday that the town received “a few comments,” but added, “Obviously, it was just released on (Oct. 1).”
McCauley said staff reviewed comments on the first draft and tried to incorporate them where it could into this second version.
She noted the town received valuable feedback on the first draft from the agricultural community and the environmental advisory committee, and held discussions with local wineries.
However, many people have not yet had time to read the updated draft.
“The second draft of the official plan is a substantial document, and I’m still reviewing it in detail,” said Coun. Adriana Vizzari.
Lidija Biro, head of Seniors for Climate in Niagara, shared a similar sentiment, saying that neither herself nor fellow organizer Frances Stoker has had a chance to look at the document.
One person who has reviewed the new draft is Steve Hardakar, a director with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Residents Association. Hardakar, who lives in Glendale, said he is generally supportive of the updated plan.
“I think generally I’m very supportive of it,” he said. “Of course, the details are in the secondary plans … The secondary plans get down into the weeds.”
Glendale has had a secondary plan in place since 2010. The current draft of the town’s official plan indicates it will update that plan “as quickly as possible.” However, McCauley said the Glendale secondary plan is currently under appeal.
According to the second draft, Glendale is expected to be the fastest-growing neighbourhood in Niagara-on-the-Lake over the next 25 years, in both population and employment.
The plan identifies the area as a “designated growth area development” and a “strategic growth area,” where highrise development may be permitted under the policies of the Glendale secondary plan.
Hardaker supports growth in Glendale, a largely undeveloped area, but says he’s against highrise buildings.
“The general concern is building heights,” he said. “What people in Glendale feel is that we support development because it brings amenities.”
He said residents welcome additions such as a grocery store and schools, but prefer low-density development.
Hardakar said the plan will affect every neighbourhood in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including Glendale. He cautioned that while the plan may look good on paper, “the devil can be in the details.”
“There’s a little concern that council will approve development that’s outside of the secondary plan,” he said, pointing to approvals of a 10-storey building north of the Queen Elizabeth Way.
The second draft aims to align the town’s current 2019 official plan with the 2022 Niagara Region official plan and the 2024 provincial planning statement. The first draft was released in July.
The town will host open houses on the plan on Oct. 15 and 16.
On Oct. 15, sessions will take place at the NOTL Community Centre in Old Town from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with a presentation at 7 p.m.
On Oct. 16, the open house will be held at the Mary Snider Room in Centennial Arena in Virgil at the same times, with a presentation also beginning at 7 p.m.
