Several major policy changes have moved forward this month.
Last week, Niagara-on-the-Lake council signed off on stricter land alteration rules, advanced new parks planning direction, developed a town-wide naming and sponsorship policy and granted a Glendale subdivision extension.
The most debated item of the four reports approved Feb. 10 was a new site alteration policy and bylaw that replaces the town’s 2005 rules and updates how the town regulates fill dumping, grading and topsoil removal. It shifts approval authority to the director of public works and infrastructure and expands enforcement tools under the town’s administrative penalty system.
Coun. Wendy Cheropita called it an “excellent report and bylaw” and said she was “very much in support.”
Coun. Gary Burroughs pressed staff on how similar bylaws have worked in other communities and sought clarification about stop-work authority, while Coun. Sandra O’Connor questioned why official plan language was not reflected in the bylaw.
Staff said the official plan and site alteration bylaw serve “different functions,” but O’Connor replied she was “still not comfortable.” Staff said it would revisit the issue.
“As long as you take it back,” O’Connor said before the motion carried.
Council also approved a two-year extension for the Niagara-on-the-Green (North) draft plan of subdivision in the Glendale urban area — instead of the three years requested by Niagara-on-the-Green Properties Inc.
The lands fall within the Glendale secondary plan, which council approved in January and which is currently under appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal. The extension keeps the draft approval in place while the appeal is being addressed.
Discussion touched on residential unit counts, the ongoing tribunal appeal, school boards and parkland dedication, including cash-in-lieu requirements.
The new naming and sponsorship policy sets out how town facilities, assets and programs can be named or supported through sponsorship agreements and how those arrangements would be reviewed and approved.
O’Connor raised concerns about clarity and how “legacy means” would be captured, while Burroughs asked whether the policy would apply to all town buildings and staff said it would return with a list of affected facilities. Coun. Adriana Vizzari asked if the town would reach out to current sponsors and staff confirmed it would.
Council also directed staff to prepare two new guiding documents for parks and recreation: a short- to medium-term action plan to roll out recommendations from the town’s Parks and Recreation master plan and a longer-term community assets vision to guide future facilities, properties and investment decisions.
O’Connor said she was “happy with how we’re moving forward” and Burroughs asked about timelines. Staff said it would be “coming back regularly to council.”
Vizzari said she “likes this direction” and, after she asked about partnership strengthening, staff said it is “trying to expand with what we have.”
