The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is in the home stretch of finalizing its largest planning document, with the final draft of its new official plan out now and approval expected next month.

The official plan, which outlines policies expected to guide the community over the next 25 yars, shapes where homes, businesses and farms go, how heritage areas are protected and how growth is managed.

The town said the draft, a 402-page document, includes updates following a public meeting in November, including “general edits and formatting changes, revisions to site-specific policies, employment areas, secondary plans, definitions, transportation policies, and other refinements.” The document also summarizes changes made since the previous draft.

Among the changes is the removal of the Glendale secondary plan “with the intent to incorporate once the appeal process is complete.” Council approved the Glendale plan early last year, but it remains under appeal with the Ontario Land Tribunal.

A secondary plan is a detailed land-use plan for a specific area. The draft official plan states Glendale is expected to be the fastest-growing part of Niagara-on-the-Lake during the plan’s timeframe.

Steve Hardakar, a board member with the NOTL Residents Association who lives in Glendale, said he was “disappointed” that schedule 2b from the Glendale secondary plan remains. He said the section addresses “enhanced building heights,” allowing for taller buildings in certain locations.

“It gives false hope that developers are going to get higher buildings in Glendale,” said Hardakar.

He added that removing the secondary plan could create other challenges.

“If it’s not in the plan, then I can’t see the town approving any development applications for Glendale,” he said.

The town also released a document compiling public comments submitted during the planning process.

The process has drawn concern in the Chautauqua neighbourhood. The Chautauqua Residents Association has said it believes the town is backing away from a commitment in the 2019 official plan to create a secondary plan to protect the area’s distinct design and history.

This time, however, the group struck a more cautiously optimistic tone, citing productive discussions with town staff, including Fiona Main and Tanya Devlin, who toured the neighbourhood in November.

“The Chautauqua Residents Association appreciates the recognition in the town’s draft official plan that Chautauqua warrants further area-specific planning attention through the preparation of a secondary plan or other appropriate study,” said association president Weston Miller in an email.

He added that “residents will be paying attention to how this commitment is implemented through future planning work and look forward to participating constructively in that process.”

The draft also allows country inns as a permissible “secondary use” on properties in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Other secondary uses include existing cottage rentals and rooming and boarding houses. The plan also updates definitions for bed and breakfast establishments, cottage rentals, vacation rentals and villas.

Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa called the upcoming committee of the whole meeting “an important step in finalizing the town’s official plan.”

He said it will allow council to review the final draft, hear from the public and consider adopting the plan.

Zalepa said the draft includes “policy updates in several key areas,” including growth management, housing, employment and the economy, agriculture, climate change, cultural heritage, transportation and infrastructure, urban design, and Indigenous engagement.

Coun. Andrew Niven praised the draft’s attention to tourism, agriculture, heritage and the “overall character of the town.”

“Like any major planning document of this scale, there will always be opportunities to refine certain details, and I look forward to continuing discussions with town staff as we move through the final stages of the process,” he said.

“However, the overall direction of the plan is very positive and provides a strong foundation to guide the community’s growth and decision-making in the years ahead.”

Coun. Adriana Vizzari said she was “happy with the process and the opportunity for residents to provide input as the Town develops its new official plan.”

She said her input has “mainly focused on transportation safety, particularly recognizing schools as priority community safety zones.”

Coun. Sandra O’Connor said she has not yet reviewed the document.

“Councillors have until March 30 to discuss with staff, so my comments are not yet ready,” she said.

Coun. Wendy Cheropita called the process “comprehensive, inclusive, and thorough.”

The town adopted an official plan in 2019, but Niagara Region delayed approval because it did not align with the regional official plan or reflect changes in provincial land-use policies. The new plan aims to address those issues.

Council is expected to consider the draft at a committee of the whole — planning meeting on April 14 at 6 p.m.

A PDF of the draft is available on the town’s Join the Conversation page: jointheconversationnotl.org/officialplan.