Niagara-on-the-Lake’s latest draft of its new official plan is a solid starting point — one that has room for refinement, said the councillors and taxpayer association leaders who spoke with The Lake Report.
This latest draft, now available for public review and feedback, marks a major milestone after six years of setbacks, after the province and the region rejected the previous draft.
While many admitted they haven’t read through the 313-page document yet in detail (a redlined draft, with parts from the old draft crossed out in red), those who spoke with The Lake Report were fairly encouraged by what they’d seen at first glance and plan to dig in further.
Ardeth Staz, president of the Village Community Association, said the draft “tried to give something for everyone,” which she expected from a comprehensive planning document.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve read every page,” Staz said. “But I did scan it.”
Norm Arsenault, a director with the NOTL Residents Association, said his group was “quite pleased it was moving forward.” His colleague, Steve Hardaker of Glendale, called it a “good first step.”
Dan Segal, president of the St. Davids Ratepayers Association, said he saw nothing “obviously objectionable” in the draft, but said it was full of “generalities” and didn’t have a clear vision for the development of St. Davids.
Coun. Andrew Niven, who called the first draft an “exciting and important milestone,” recommended the town include more specific goals and targets for the new policies.
“Personally, I’d like to see more measurable targets, timelines, and accountability mechanisms built into the final plan,” he said.
“These elements will be key to ensuring that the policies we put in place translate into real, meaningful outcomes.”
Coun. Sandra O’Connor said she hadn’t reviewed all the changes, particularly the sections on the environment — a key concern of hers as a member of the environmental advisory committee.
The draft divides the town into five broad areas: Virgil, Old Town, St. Davids, Queenston and Glendale.
Several residents who commented were affiliated with neighbourhood ratepayer groups, including the recently formed NOTL Residents Association.
“We are a means to look for a common ground,” said Hardaker, referring to collaboration between different parts of town.
While residents raised a range of concerns, a common theme was the desire to preserve low-density development. Hardaker, for instance, opposed high-rises in Glendale.
“We’re very concerned that people on town council view Glendale as a means to an end of meeting provincially imposed intensification policies,” he said.
“Why should we be any different from the other settlement areas of NOTL in terms of intensification?”
Staz also expressed concern about potential changes to zoning policies.
“We hope they will not make decisions that rezone at the drop of a hat,” she said. “Or change policies so a developer can put up a big motel or a very tall apartment building somewhere.”
The town aims to finalize a revised draft by October and submit it to the province by Nov. 1.
Public feedback will be gathered through open houses and a statutory public meeting in September and October.
Councillors said community input will be key to shaping the final version.
“Council’s role: to ensure that the residents and advisory committees’ comments are duly considered and to make the best decision for the town,” said O’Connor.
Once the approved plan is finalized, residents said it’s important the town follows through on the groundwork it laid out.
“We hope that they stick to the plan,” said Staz.
Kirsten McCauley, director of community and development services and a key contributor to the plan, was unavailable for comment due to vacation. Chief administrative officer Nick Ruller was also on vacation and did not comment.
The official plan sets five-year guidelines for the town’s approach to development, environment, transit, sewage, wastewater and other municipal issues.
Residents can view the draft and provide feedback at jointheconversationnotl.org/officialplan.
