As the town continues its review of the 2019 official plan and plans for updates, the Chautauqua Residents Association is adamant about preserving the character of the small Niagara-on-the-Lake community.
The association’s president, Weston Miller, submitted a letter this spring to town staff with input from Chautauqua residents advocating for its preservation.
The summary submitted to the town included resident input submitted over several years, Miller wrote.
Miller cited Chautauqua as a unique part of NOTL — one that is worth preserving as it is.
“This uniqueness is increasingly at risk,” the letter said.
Miller cited walkable streets and a strong sense of community as some of the neighbourhood’s greatest strengths.
For these reasons, the residents association is requesting that Chautauqua be recognized as a distinct planning area within the town’s official plan.
Along with the designation, the association outlined five key policy goals for the town to follow, including contextual design, tree canopy protection, preservation of the streetscape, reinforcement of residential character and environmental stewardship.
If the goals are not achievable, the letter suggests seeking additional tools, like a secondary plan or heritage designation.
“We would welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the town planning staff,” Miller said.
In an interview, Miller said the Chautauqua Residents Association has a meeting planned with town staff on April 30.
“We are very grateful that we’ve had the opportunity to comment on (the draft plan),” Miller said.
Thus far, he has only heard feedback from Coun. Sandra O’Connor.
Miller said he hopes staff had had the opportunity to read the letter and provide comment during the meeting.
“These are longstanding requests that the neighbourhood has had,” Miller said.
“I’m hoping we can build off of that and actually produce something meaningful for the community.”
While the town is undergoing one of its most significant policy updates with the incoming official plan, staff accepted feedback from residents.
The town’s key focus areas within the revised plan are growth management, increasing development in already-developed areas, natural heritage and agriculture policies, employment area designations, secondary planning, housing policies and watershed planning.
Two public forums for feedback were held in March and early April and online feedback was accepted until April 16.
A draft official plan is expected in June, with public consultations over the summer and adoption targeted for fall, followed by pending provincial approval.
