Steve Hardaker
Community Correspondent

Niagara Region planning staff provided NOTL's committee of the whole planning meeting with a detailed briefing on the final draft of the Glendale District Plan at Monday’s virtual meeting.

Committee members were given an opportunity to ask questions most of which included definitions of medium- and high-density targets and building heights, where the higher density buildings would be located and consideration for compatible designs with the rest of NOTL. 

For the most part, Kirsten McCauley, Niagara Region's senior planner for the Glendale District Plan, said answers to those questions will be considered during the future update to NOTL's Glendale secondary plan, which will include a number of technical studies. 

It was reiterated that the district plan provides guidance for updating the secondary plan, which will be done by the town in co-operation with the region, once a regional official plan amendment is completed.

In a response to a question about heights of building, regional planning commissioner Rino Mostacci stated, “If I had a crystal ball, I would say it is unlikely you will see very high-density, very tall buildings because it is a large area and there is definitely opportunity to defuse density across the entire area.”

While the intent of the briefing was to obtain endorsement from Niagara-on-the-Lake council, the resulting motion that was passed by the committee was to receive the plan and then referred it to town staff for a full report back to town council.  

In an emailed response concerning the motion, McCauley said, “The Glendale District Plan endorsement process has shifted from what I initially anticipated. Next steps will be for NOTL staff to prepare a report regarding endorsement.”

“Following this, it will come back to regional planning and economical development committee and regional council for endorsement. This will delay the timeframe a bit.”

At full build-out of the district, post current 2041 regional growth projections, it is estimated Glendale will have a population of 15,000 residents along with 7,500 jobs.

Steve Hardaker has lived in Glendale for nine years and is active in many community organizations. He was a member of the Glendale District Plan, Phase 2 Community Focus Group.