Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors approved a Virgil housing development requiring the removal of at least 700 trees despite resident concerns over impacts to the environment and low regional tree coverage.
As phase two of Konik Estates continues with the goal of building 52 houses and 102 townhouses, environmental protection bylaws failed to safeguard the site’s mature pines.
Coun. Sandra O’Connor’s motion to partially preserve the trees in a parkland within the residential development was defeated in 2024, with only two supporters.
“The regional woodland bylaw doesn’t apply here because the site isn’t a full hectare, and our urban tree bylaw only governs post-development changes,” said O’Connor.
O’Connor brought up concerns from a Virgil resident who posted online Tuesday that coyotes have been spotted wandering urban areas around the formerly forested Konik Farms, north of Line 2 Road, east of Concession 6.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s tree canopy covers 25.4 per cent of the town — the lowest in the region — with Virgil at just 19.3 per cent, far below the recommended 40 per cent minimum.
More than 700 of the site’s 800 trees will be cleared, though 100 along the eastern boundary will remain due to recommendations from town staff.
Replacement plantings are required, but residents argue saplings cannot replicate mature trees’ ecological benefits.
O’Connor criticized the decision to accept cash-in-lieu of parkland instead of preserving green space: “My objective was to maintain a portion of the woodlot for the community’s health … I’m disappointed we couldn’t save more, but that’s democracy for you.”
She hopes upcoming official plan reviews will strengthen environmental policies, particularly for areas bordering urban zones.
The development avoids Greenbelt land, as all projects outside NOTL’s urban boundaries are prohibited from non-agricultural expansion.
“We’re careful not to allow Greenbelt development,” said O’Connor.
However, she acknowledged that balancing the need to support local agriculture with commercial pressures remains challenging.
Residents previously expressed worries about lost bird habitats, drainage risks and traffic, but planners deemed the site’s pine plantation exempt from woodland protections.
As of Feb. 5, Kassie Burns was welcomed by NOTL staff as the town’s new climate change coordinator.
O’Connor is optimistic that Burns will be a focal point, working to improve environmental stability and protection in NOTL, in line with key priorities from the town’s strategic plan.
“Now that we have [her], I’m hoping that we can bring these types of programs into action.”
The approved subdivision will add sidewalks near Crossroads Public School and expand Homestead Park with developer contributions.
