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Niagara Falls
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Letter of the Week: Town needs to step back, impose moratorium on building
A rendering of the White Oaks development being proposed for Glendale, which includes four tall buildings. SUPPLIED

This is an edited version of a letter to members of NOTL council. A copy was submitted to The Lake Report for publication.

Since this council began its term, there seems to have been more proposals to increase development in all areas of Niagara-on-the-Lake than ever before.

If there are any restrictions and/or rules outlined in the official plan, it seems attention to that document is non-existent as oversized, over-height, commercial, residential and multiples have been or soon will be approved throughout our community.

Too many applications are being tentatively approved and moving to the next stage in a whirlwind process. Too much is being requested; too much is being accepted without the town fully investigating long-term ramifications. And municipal bylaws have been amended or set aside to accommodate all the proposals.

We respectfully suggest that council propose a moratorium on all building projects so a thorough review can be conducted to grasp the big picture and make sure this town’s unique history is not going to be dismissed to make way for development.

Residents have loudly voiced their objections — supported by well researched documentation — while ill-conceived decisions, based on weak and creative wordsmithing are pushing the developments through.

This council was elected because of promises to represent the citizens of NOTL and maintain the unique and historic character of this town: the first capital of Upper Canada, a pivotal site of the War of 1812 and an architectural gem.

Our history has been captured and preserved by federal and municipal property owners, who have expressed their conservation values through the maintenance of their sites, homes and their continued vigilance against a modern invasion of those who seek personal financial benefit at everyone’s expense.

We respectfully ask council to impose a moratorium and form a council-citizen board to review current actions. Take a deep breath, slow down and make decisions based on our history and our future vision.

Among the development proposals that we are concerned about are: Randwood (191-plus units proposed), Parliament Oak hotel, 17-unit condo complex on King Street, hotel at Queen and Mississauga, lot severed on heritage-designated property at Simcoe and Queen, highrise towers at White Oaks and near the Hilton Garden Inn, 160 homes and townhouses in Virgil, and expansion of the Cannery subdivision in St. Davids.

Each of these proposals brings a slew of infrastructure issues that will ultimately affect all residents through our tax levies. Damages and effects reach far into the future, when the opportunity to reverse or rethink decisions is long past.

When greenspace is covered with buildings and paved for parking lots, where will the rainwater go? Will rain or raw sewage back into the surrounding basements?

Do we solve that problem by opening the tap and allowing overflow sewage to pour into Lake Ontario? Who pays to clean up the basements because the town did not make the right decisions?

We suggest that a community forum be created to discuss where this town is going and how to address the infrastructure and other issues that will affect generations to come. This town is fortunate to have numerous retired professionals, with the work experience and skills to make our town a better place.

They have publicly offered their opinions and solutions. Heed their warnings. Ask for their volunteer help.

Jim and Erika Alexander
NOTL

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