Inconsistent, confusing and without enforcement: those are the findings of a new report prepared on behalf of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which takes a close look at the municipality’s rules for special events, such as those held by businesses across town.
This report is the first step in a process to create a dedicated bylaw to govern special events.
Prepared by consulting firm StrategyCorp, the “current state report” recommends the town create a dedicated bylaw, set clearer event categories and introduce a licensing system for frequent commercial operators — which, in NOTL, includes several wineries.
“The town’s special events policy is overly broad and invites significant ambiguity, leaving staff, organizers and the public confused and frustrated with perceived inconsistency of how events are managed,” the report states.
Only in parks are special events enforceable, through the town’s parks bylaw. “The lack of a special events bylaw is a gap,” it adds.
That’s what this review will lead to, said Lucie Palka, the town’s project manager of strategy and digital services: “a dedicated special events bylaw.”
“At present, the town does not have a specific bylaw to enforce special events,” she said.
The firm presented its findings at a council Sept. 23 workshop. The results were also posted on the town’s website Sept. 18.
Ed Werner owns Brox Company Limited., a grape-growing company that has taken legal action against Konzelmann Estate Winery and the town over events and enforcement.
He said the report “confirms what I have been stressing to the town for years,” and “what has resulted in my company suing the town.”
The six-month-long review is still underway, examining how the town manages special events and what changes may be needed.
Council has not directed staff to pause approving special events, so applications are continuing under the current process, said Palka.
In July and August, consultations took place through surveys, focus groups and interviews with residents, organizers, community groups, tourism partners, staff and council. The resident survey ran for three weeks, with the third week added after the fact to gather more feedback.
To prepare its analysis, StrategyCorp stacked results alongside town records, staff input and comparisons with other municipalities. It “goes beyond validating existing practices,” Palka said.
It was designed to balance tourism and economic benefits with farmland preservation, public safety and residents’ quality of life, while identifying common concerns — “ensuring that recommendations are grounded in the experiences of the whole community,” she added.
Werner said the review recognizes residents’ concerns, including those with safety, noise, parking and enforcement.
About eight in 10 survey respondents said the town’s role should include upholding the rules to ensure organizers comply with permits, bylaws and zoning.
“This is what I have asked of the town and have not received,” said Werner.
The report challenges the town to regulate impacts on health, safety and agricultural land — issues Werner said leave residents in rural and agricultural areas “facing commercial creep.”
It found 28 per cent of respondents agreed more events should be allowed in town, which Werner said shows most residents either want fewer events or no increase and argued support for more likely came from commercial operators and their staff.
Marah Minor, the town’s communications co-ordinator, said public engagement is not finished.
Consultants will host workshops with town and community stakeholders to test recommendations and gather feedback before finalizing them. A timeline for this was not confirmed by press time.
Palka said residents can also comment on results at council meetings, including as a delegate.
Werner welcomed the town’s decision to review its policies but urged residents and the agricultural community to stay engaged because, unlike commercial operators, he said, residents “do not have paid staff to present our arguments.”
“We must be diligent if we wish to have our voices and concerns heard.”
