The Chautauqua Residents Association says it remains unsatisfied with what it sees as the town’s ongoing lack of commitment to preserving the neighbourhood’s historic character, just days after the release of the second draft of the town’s official plan.
The new draft, released last Wednesday, states the town “will prepare secondary plans or other appropriate studies” for Chautauqua, Queen-Picton and Virgil. But the association says that wording still falls short.
Since the first draft was released in July, the group has questioned what it sees as the town’s shift away from a firm commitment made in the 2019 official plan.
At that time, the town pledged to develop a secondary plan for Chautauqua — a process the association sees as key to protecting the area’s heritage.
Instead, the July draft said a secondary plan would be “considered.” Now, while the second draft includes stronger wording, it leaves room for alternatives, which has not eased the association’s concerns.
“It seems favourable,” said Weston Miller, president of the Chautauqua Residents Association, referring to the mention of a secondary plan in the latest version.
“Although it does state a secondary plan or other appropriate studies will be developed for Chautauqua, it’s the ‘or other appropriate studies.'”
Town planner Kirsten McCauley said other planning tools could be used to preserve heritage areas like Chautauqua. That flexibility is why the current language was chosen, she said.
“Some of those could be like a character study … very specific policies for that specific area in the absence of a full secondary plan.”
She said later that “cultural heritage landscape policies, or other site specific policies with direction for a specific area” should also be considered.
McCauley added that secondary plans are “pretty intensive processes” and pointed to the ongoing heritage conservation district study in Queen-Picton as an example of another preservation tool.
Following the release of the second draft, the residents’ association sent a letter to the town expressing concern over the wording. The group emphasized the legal weight of a secondary plan under the Ontario Planning Act.
“A secondary plan is a statutory instrument under the Planning Act,” the letter reads. “Once adopted, it forms part of the official plan, establishes enforceable policies and carries substantial weight at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
“In contrast, ‘other studies’ … do not have the same legal status.”
Miller said no formal alternative to a secondary plan has been proposed to the association. He noted that while several ideas have been floated, none have been confirmed.
“We want something meaningful,” he said.
In response to the letter, Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said: “We appreciate the engagement and feedback, and all submissions will be reviewed and comments will form part of the next report to council.”
The second draft comes about a month before the town is set to submit the official plan to the province on Nov. 1.
Two open houses are scheduled for resident feedback: Oct. 15 at the NOTL Community Centre and Oct. 16 in the Mary Snider Room at Centennial Arena. Each location will host two sessions from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m., with a presentation at 7 p.m.
Chautauqua is known for its historic architecture and unique “hub and spoke” layout. The neighbourhood’s origins date back to the late 19th century.
