03-05-2024 Special
AGENDA
Special City Council
Meeting
4:30 PM - Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Council Chambers/Zoom App.
All Council Meetings are open to the
public in person, in Council
Chambers or watched virtually.
All electronic meetings can be
viewed on this page, the City of
Niagara Falls YouTube channel, the
City of Niagara Falls Facebook page,
along with YourTV Niagara.
Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Disclosures of pecuniary interest and a brief explanation thereof will be
made for the current Council Meeting at this time.
3. REPORTS
3.1. PBD-2024-05 (Presentation & comments added)
The new Official Plan for the City of Niagara Falls
Special Meeting of Council as per Section 26(3) of the
Planning Act
Francesca Berardi, Planner 2, will provide an overview of Report
PBD-2024-05 and will introduce the City's consultants, the
Planning Partnership.
Attending from the Planning Partnership:
Donna Hinde, Project Manager & Consultation Lead
Joe Nethery, Project Coordinator & Lead Planner
Ron Palmer, Senior Planning Policy Advisor (tentative)
It is recommended that:
1. Council receive this report regarding the initiation of the
new Official Plan for the City of Niagara Falls.
2. Input received through the Public Meeting be considered in
the preparation of the new Official Plan.
PBD-2024-05 - Pdf
3 - 32
Page 1 of 33
Presentation - Niagara Falls OP (Updated)
Email - correspondence from Helene Cayer & Interim Control By-
law - Resolution
Comments from resident
4. BY-LAWS
The City Clerk will advise of any additional by-laws or amendments to
the by-law listed for Council consideration.
2024-
026.
A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of the City
Council at its meeting held on the 5th of March, 2024.
By-law 2024-026 - 03 05 24 Confirming By-law
33
5. ADJOURNMENT
Page 2 of 33
PBD-2024-05
Report
Report to: Mayor and Council
Date: March 5, 2024
Title:
The new Official Plan for the City of Niagara Falls
Special Meeting of Council as per Section 26(3) of the
Planning Act
Recommendation(s)
It is recommended that:
1. Council receive this report regarding the initiation of the new Official Plan for the
City of Niagara Falls.
2. Input received through the Public Meeting be considered in the preparation of the
new Official Plan.
Executive Summary
The City is undertaking the creation of a new Official Plan – a new roadmap to guide
land use and growth for the City to the year 2051. The need for a new Official Plan is
based on several factors:
The requirement of the Planning Act for the Official Plan to conform with the
Region’s 2022 Official Plan;
To recognize and prepare for the Provincial growth targets for the City;
Replace the current Official Plan which is outdated;
To recognize and add new policies related to current issues such as the
provision of housing, good urban design and climate change adaptation, among
others.
The Special Meeting of Council under Section 26(3) of the Planning Act is being held
this evening to formally tadvise Council, stakeholders and the community at large of the
initiation of the project and to invite input.
The City has engaged The Planning Partnership to assist the City in the preparation of
this new legislative document and to guide the public consultation process. The
Consultant will be outlining the work plan and engagement plan through a presentation
at this meeting.
Background
The Official Plan is a document that guides and shapes the future of a community by
identifying where, and under what circumstances, specific types of land uses can be
located within the City. The purpose of the Official Plan is to focus new growth in a way
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that makes efficient use of land and infrastructure, creates attractive and livable
communities with a variety of housing options, and protects the City's cultural and
natural heritage and agricultural lands.
In November of 2022, the Province approved a new Official Plan for the Region of
Niagara. Under the requirements of the Planning Act (Sections 26(1) and (2)), the City
must conform with the policies of the Region’s Plan within one (1) year. Constant and
ongoing changes to Provincial legislation and policies have made this standard process
of conformity a challenge. The City is initiating its conformity exercise through a new
Official Plan, with the flexibility to adapt to further Provincial changes that may occur
during the preparation of the Plan.
In addition to the requirement for conformity, the City recognizes that the current Official
Plan, which was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs on October 6, 1993, is
now outdated and has become lengthy and cumbersome to read due to over 160
individual amendments over the years.
As such, this is an ideal time to create a new Official Plan that not only aligns with
current planning legislation and conforms with the new Regional Official Plan but also
recognizes the current land use issues of the City and will provide a contemporary
planning approach for the City moving forward over the next 20-30 years.
A Special Meeting of Council is required under Section 26(3) of the Planning Act
whenever there is a review and update of a City’s Official Plan, including for the purpose
of conformity. It is held formally to advise Council, stakeholders and the community at
large of the initiation of the project and to invite input on what should be addressed
through its review. As per the requirements of the Planning Act, notice was published in
the Niagara Falls Review over two weeks, with the last Notice published 30 days before
the date of the Public Meeting (January 31st and February 5th). Beyond the
requirements of the Act, the Notice was circulated to all agencies prescribed under the
Planning Act as well as identified stakeholders, agencies, and in response to any
requests on record for notification of Official Plan updates or reviews.
Analysis
Through the process of creating a new vision for the City of Niagara Falls, the new
Official plan will:
Establish conformity with the Region’s 2022 Official Plan and the Province’s
Planning Policies as required through Planning legislation;
Modernize the readability, flexibility and interpretation of Official Plan policies to
reduce the need for numerous amendments;
Incorporate the policy recommendations of recent City studies, policy and master
plans, including but not limited to the Housing Strategy, Employment Lands
Study, Municipal Housing Target and Housing Pledge, Climate Change
Adaptation Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and City Strategic
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Directions in coordination with the City’s Servicing, Transportation, Recreation
and Asset Management plans.
Include innovative policy to respond to current land use trends such as
placemaking, complete communities, low impact development, adaptive reuse of
sites and urban design.
guide development of new growth areas through secondary plans
Set the stage for the City’s future new Comprehensive Zoning By-law.
Conformity
In November of 2022, the Province approved a new Official Plan for the Region of
Niagara. Under the requirements of the Planning Act (Sections 26(1) and (2)), the City
must conform with the policies of the Region’s Plan within one (1) year. Constant
changes to Provincial legislation and policies have made the standard process of
conformity a challenge.
As of the date of this report, the Niagara Region remains the approval authority for the
City’s new Official Plan. Provincial changes to the Planning Act under Bill 23 will shift
approval authority to the Province by identifying the Niagara Region as an “upper-tier
municipality without planning responsibilities” on a date that has yet to be proclaimed by
the Lieutenant Governor. Until this amendment to the Act is proclaimed, the Niagara
Region remains the City’s approval authority.
The Current Official Plan
The City’s current Official Plan was approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs on
October 6, 1993. The document is outdated and has been amended over 160 times.
Official Plans are live documents, intended to be updated and modified over their
projected timeline and, over time, the numerous edits to the City’s current Official Plan
has resulted in a lengthy document with language conflicts and inconsistencies in
mapping, varying writing styles and edits, confusing policy directions, varying policy
structures across different sections, and outdated planning visions.
Growth Projections
The City is preparing for unprecedented growth over the next 20 to 30 years. The
approved Niagara Region Official Plan (2022) implemented the Province’s population
and employment projections, which will see approximately 47,250 persons and 20,320
jobs being added to the City’s existing totals by 2051. This would be 20,210 new
residential units. These totals were quantified through Niagara Region’s Municipal
Comprehensive Review and Land Needs Assessment exercises, in consultation with
the City of Niagara Falls, and remain policy minimums with respect to targets to be
achieved.
Since that time, additional pressures have evolved at the Provincial level (Bills, 108,
109, 23 and 97) aimed at expediting development approval, increasing supply and
density, and committing to achieving newly established benchmark minimums. In the
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case of Niagara Falls, a Housing Pledge to achieve construction of an additional 8,000
new housing units by 2031 was signed with the Province, and efforts to realize these
targets remain a priority for the City.
Collectively, and as a result of the more recent Provincial directives, planning to meet or
exceed the forecasted growth targets is an ongoing topic for regional and local staff to
address while the City’s Master Servicing Plan, Master Transportation Plan,
Development Charges Study and Asset Management Plans are being prepared. It is
important that the City’s new Official Plan make use of an integrated approach with
these key municipal documents, and a coordinated outcome will provide flexibility for
increased growth, beyond current regional forecasts, within the planning horizon of
2051.Further, should growth forecasts adopted in the Official Plan differ from the
Region's current estimates, the updated growth forecasts would be reflected in the
Economic Development Background Study and Infrastructure Plans.
City staff, in consultation with Regional staff, have undertaken an initial analysis to
identify how and where projected and additional growth can be accommodated amongst
its existing greenfield, urban expansions, and intensification nodes and corridor
locations. The analysis provides for the potential of an additional 15,000 units above
current regional forecast to ensure the City’s growth potential can remain responsive to
market demands while focusing capital investment in strategic locations and help inform
the new Official Plan in its early phases of future urban structure.
City Studies
The City has completed a number of studies over the past several years that will
provide the basis for new policies in the new Official Plan, such as the Housing Strategy
(2022), the Employment Lands Strategy (2021), the Municipal Economic Development
Strategy (2023) and the City’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2023) that is related to
the resiliency of natural features, infrastructure, new construction and building design in
light of our changing climate. Studies prepared by the Niagara Region in support of
their 2022 Official Plan will also be used to inform the City’s policies as they relate to the
natural environment, watersheds, aggregates, complete streets and archaeology.
Process
It is envisioned that the creation of the City’s new Official Plan will proceed over five
phases:
Phase 1: Project Initiation and Visioning – which includes background review and
analysis
Phase 2: Discussion Papers – which focus on the following themes and generally
described below:
A Growing City – including growth targets for people and jobs, housing provisions
for all ages and incomes, infrastructure
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An Attractive City – including good design and aesthetics, complete streets,
building heights and design, parkland dedication and accessibility
A Connected and Mobile City – how and where goods and people move through
our communities, alternative transportation, trails and networks, transit corridors
A Green and Resilient City – anticipating the effects of a changing climate,
natural heritage protection, alternative energy, greenspace connections
An International City – including sustainable tourism, economic growth, industry
and employment
A Cultural City - diversifying cultural options, indigenous consultation,
archaeology, built heritage, educational and social institutions
Conformity and Implementation – flexible policies for change planning
landscapes, enhanced monitoring and report, secondary plans and community
benefits
Phase 3: Policy Direction – presented through a policies direction document based on
the work and feedback of Phase 2
Phase 4: Draft Official Plan – including the preparation and presentation of a complete
draft Official Plan document with policies, mapping, etc.
Phase 5: Final Official Plan – Approval process wherein the draft Official Plan is refined
and finalized, the document is updated with any changes directed by Council as a result
of consultation, the Plan is submitted for approval to the applicable approval authority.
Public Consultation
In Phases 1 through to 4, there will be engagement and opportunities for input and
comments from Council, Stakeholders, the Community and our Indigenous Partners. An
Engagement Summary document will be produced at the end of each phase that will be
presented to Council and made available to the public.
In Phase 5 a statutory public meeting will be held for the draft Official Plan that would be
followed by Council Adoption of the Plan at a separate meeting (with amendments as
required).
The methods and tools that will be used to engage a broad spectrum of community
stakeholders at each phase of the project will be outlined in a Community Engagement
and Consultation Plan. It is intended that consultation will extend beyond the legislated
engagement requirements of the Planning Act. A range of engagement mechanisms
and events such as, but not limited to, public open houses, workshops, newsletters,
surveys, notices, web materials, social media, mail/handouts, pop-up events, and
creative methods of engaging the City’s special interest groups (especially our youth) is
expected. Staff will ensure that the City’s social media pages and websites (Let’s Talk
Niagara Falls) remain updated with the engagement materials produced.
Conclusion
The intent of the project is to develop an Official Plan that not only recognizes the City’s
history and international importance but shapes a progressive future with new and
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updated policies for land use, environmental protection and adaptability, infrastructure
needs, good urban design, connections and mobility, prosperity and culture.
Financial Implications/Budget Impact
There are no new financial implications arising from this report. The new Official Plan
has an approved budget allotment of $625,000.
Strategic/Departmental Alignment
The new Official Plan will aim to implement the City’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan through
policies that align with the three Pillars of Sustainability, Customer Service and
Economic Diversity and Growth through its environmental and climate, housing and
affordability, and employment policies. The Plan is intended to be user friendly in both
readability and online reference.
Written by:
Francesca Berardi, Senior Official Plan Project Manager
Submitted by: Status:
Andrew Bryce, Director of Planning Approved
- 28 Feb
2024
Kira Dolch, General Manager, Planning, Building &
Development
Approved
- 29 Feb
2024
Jason Burgess, CAO Approved
- 29 Feb
2024
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Page 8 of 33
A New Official Plan
for Niagara Falls
Special Meeting of
Council
March 5, 2024
Page 9 of 33
Purpose of the Special Meeting
• Learn about the new Official Plan for
Niagara Falls and the process over the
year to prepare it
• Learn about what’s important to you in
the Official Plan
• Hear from people - how do you want to
be involved in the Official Plan process?Niagara Falls New Official Plan2Page 10 of 33
What is an Official Plan?Where to loca te p arks a
n
d schools?Where to loc a t e housin
g,
s
hops, workplaces? How w i l l we gro
w
?What roads an d infras
tr
u
ct
ur are required?Determines how land should be used
Ensures that planning and development meets the needs of the
community Niagara Falls New Official Plan3Page 11 of 33
Why a New Official Plan?
✚ Need to address current issues such as affordable housing,
urban design, climate change adaptation and the urban forest
Must conform
with the Region’s
2022 Official Plan
Current
Official Plan Niagara Falls New Official Plan4Page 12 of 33
Why the Official Plan is
important
Establish conformity with the Region’s 2022 Official Plan
and the Province’s Planning Policies
Modernize the readability, flexibility and interpretation of
policies to reduce the need for numerous amendments
Incorporate the policy recommendations of recent City
studies, policy and master plans
Include innovative policy to respond to current land use
trends such as placemaking, complete communities, low
impact development, adaptive reuse of sites and urban
design
Guide development of growth areas through secondary
plans
Set the stage for the City’s future new Comprehensive
Zoning By-law
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔Niagara Falls New Official Plan5Page 13 of 33
Unprecedented Growth
population grows by
over 60%
20,220 new
residential units
by 2051
Pledge to build
8,000 new
residential units
by 2031
94,400 now
141,000 by 2051 Niagara Falls New Official Plan6Page 14 of 33
Building Blocks of
the new Official Plan
Transportation
Master Plan
Recreation and
Culture Master
Plan
Woodland
Management
Plan
Employment
Strategy
Site Plan
Guidelines
Climate Change
Adaptation
Strategy
Economic
Development
Strategy
Housing
Policies Culture Plan
Master
Servicing Plan Niagara Falls New Official Plan7Page 15 of 33
Process
Phase 1 Project Initiation and Visioning
Phase 2 Background Research and Discussion Papers
Phase 3 Policy Direction
Phase 4 Draft Official Plan
Phase 5 Approval
February 2024
December 2024 Niagara Falls New Official Plan8Page 16 of 33
Project Initiation
and Visioning 1PHASE
Finalize the Work Plan
Background
Research and
Discussion Papers 2
APRIL
PHASE
TasksMeetingsConfirmation of the Community Engagement
and Consultation Program
Launch of the Project
webpage (Let’s Talk
Niagara Falls)
Background Review and Analysis
Engagement on Visioning
Special Meeting
of Council
7+Open
Houses on
Discussion
Papers
Focus
Groups
Online
Survey
Prepare Guiding Discussion Papers
Technical
Advisory
Committee
Engagement Summary
document for Phase 2
Present
to Council
MAY
First Nations
FEBRUARY MARCH
Engagement on Background and
Discussion Papers
Council
Visioning
Sessions
Focus
Groups First Nations
Online
SurveyConsultation
New Official Plan - City of Niagara Falls iNiagara Falls New Official Plan9Page 17 of 33
Project Initiation
and Visioning 1PHASE
Finalize the Work Plan
Background
Research and
Discussion Papers 2
APRIL
PHASE
TasksMeetingsConfirmation of the Community Engagement
and Consultation Program
Launch of the Project
webpage (Let’s Talk
Niagara Falls)
Background Review and Analysis
Engagement on Visioning
Special Meeting
of Council
7+Open
Houses on
Discussion
Papers
Focus
Groups
Online
Survey
Prepare Guiding Discussion Papers
Technical
Advisory
Committee
Engagement Summary
document for Phase 2
Present
to Council
MAY
First Nations
FEBRUARY MARCH
Engagement on Background and
Discussion Papers
Council
Visioning
Sessions
Focus
GroupsFirst Nations
Online
SurveyConsultation
New Official Plan - City of Niagara Falls iNiagara Falls New Official Plan10Page 18 of 33
Policy Direction3
MAY
PHASE
Draft Official Plan4PHASE
SEPTEMBER
Prepare Policy Directions
Document based on work
and feedback of Phase 2
TasksEngagement
Summary Phase 3
Submit
alternate
formats for
document
SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER
Prepare and present complete
draft Official Plan document
with policies, mapping etc.
Stakeholder, Partner and Community
Engagement Activities
Council
Workshops
(4 Sessions)
Update
Official
Plan
Statutory
Public
Meeting
Feedback
review and
amendments
to Official
Plan
Stakeholder, Partner and Community
Engagement Activities
Engagement Summary
Phase 4
MeetingsPresent to
Council
Statutory
Public Meeting ConsultationApproval
Process5PHASE
DECEMBER
Refine and finalize draft
Official Plan, based
on consultation and
Council direction
Inform stakeholders,
partners and
agencies
Update with
amendments
subject to decision
of Council
Submit for approval
and present to the
applicable approval
authority
Submit final Official
Plan to Council for
adoption
Public
Open
House
Focus
Groups
Online
Survey
Technical
Advisory
Committee First Nations
Public
Open
House
Focus
Groups
Online
SurveyTechnical
Advisory
Committee First Nations
New Official Plan - City of Niagara Falls iiNiagara Falls New Official Plan11Page 19 of 33
Policy Direction3
MAY
PHASE
Draft Official Plan4PHASE
SEPTEMBER
Prepare Policy Directions
Document based on work
and feedback of Phase 2
TasksEngagement
Summary Phase 3
Submit
alternate
formats for
document
SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER
Prepare and present complete
draft Official Plan document
with policies, mapping etc.
Stakeholder, Partner and Community
Engagement Activities
Council
Workshops
(4 Sessions)
Update
Official
Plan
Statutory
Public
Meeting
Feedback
review and
amendments
to Official
Plan
Stakeholder, Partner and Community
Engagement Activities
Engagement Summary
Phase 4
MeetingsPresent to
Council
Statutory
Public Meeting ConsultationApproval
Process5PHASE
DECEMBER
Refine and finalize draft
Official Plan, based
on consultation and
Council direction
Inform stakeholders,
partners and
agencies
Update with
amendments
subject to decision
of Council
Submit for approval
and present to the
applicable approval
authority
Submit final Official
Plan to Council for
adoption
Public
Open
House
Focus
Groups
Online
Survey
Technical
Advisory
CommitteeFirst Nations
Public
Open
House
Focus
Groups
Online
SurveyTechnical
Advisory
Committee First Nations
New Official Plan - City of Niagara Falls ii Niagara Falls New Official Plan12Page 20 of 33
Public Engagement
Many ways to
share input
Public Workshops and
Open Houses
Public Information
Sessions
Small Group
Discussions
Online Surveys
Statutory Public
Meeting
Agency/City Staff
Advisory Committee
Meetings
Conversations with First Nations
Council
Workshops
School Visits
One-on-one
conversations
Pop ups/Roving
Displays Niagara Falls New Official Plan13Page 21 of 33
Talk to People Early & Often
6 let’s talk niagara falls
Married
Lone parent
families
Common law
who we engage
The City of Niagara Falls wants to communicate with and engage
all of our diverse stakeholders. This includes any person, group,
or organization that has an interest or concern in, or may be
directly affected by, the City’s actions, objectives and policies.
POPULATION 88,071 HOUSEHOLDS 33,380
PERSONS PER SQUARE KM 395.8
FAMILIES TYPES IN NIAGARA FALLS LANGUAGE SPOKEN
•English: 64,750
•Italian: 4,425
•French: 1,805
•Serbian: 1,155
•Spanish: 865
•German: 760
•Polish: 695
HOUSEHOLD TYPES IN NIAGARA FALLS
One-family
households
without
children
One-person
households
One-family
households
with children
Lone parent
families
Other
29.8%27.3%24.4%13.4%5%
AGE GROUPS
•0 to 14: 12,930
•15 to 19: 5,405
•20 to 39: 19,445
•40 to 64: 30,355
•65+: 14,875
MEDIAN AGE
43
68%
12%20%
6 let’s talk niagara falls
Married
Lone parent
families
Common law
who we engage The City of Niagara Falls wants to communicate with and engage all of our diverse stakeholders. This includes any person, group, or organization that has an interest or concern in, or may be directly affected by, the City’s actions, objectives and policies. POPULATION 88,071 HOUSEHOLDS 33,380
PERSONS PER SQUARE KM 395.8
FAMILIES TYPES IN NIAGARA FALLS LANGUAGE SPOKEN
•English: 64,750
•Italian: 4,425
•French: 1,805
•Serbian: 1,155
•Spanish: 865
•German: 760
•Polish: 695
HOUSEHOLD TYPES IN NIAGARA FALLS
One-family
households
without
children
One-person
households
One-family
households
with children
Lone parent
families
Other
29.8%27.3%24.4%13.4%5%
AGE GROUPS
•0 to 14: 12,930
•15 to 19: 5,405
•20 to 39: 19,445
•40 to 64: 30,355
•65+: 14,875
MEDIAN AGE
43
68%
12%20%
Profile of the current population of Niagara Falls Niagara Falls New Official Plan14Page 22 of 33
Talk to People Early & Often
✔Youth, seniors, young families, specific cultural/ethnic groups
✔Residents in neighbourhoods across the City
✔Business owners and employers
✔Indigenous communities and service providers
✔First Nations
✔Mayor and councillors
✔City staff and approving agencies
Talk to everyone in every phase from now until December 2024 Niagara Falls New Official Plan15Page 23 of 33
Discussion Papers
key topics / graphic lockups
City of Niagara Falls | Ocial Plan Identity Development
key topics / graphic lockups
City of Niagara Falls | Ocial Plan Identity Development
Prepare Discussion Papers as a point of departure for
conversations about new opportunities, design strategies and
policy direction.Niagara Falls New Official Plan16Page 24 of 33
The Official Plan “sets the stage”
Niagara Falls
Official Plan
Secondary
Plans
Zoning By-law
Design
Guidelines
Development
Applications
Building
Permits &
Construction Niagara Falls New Official Plan17Page 25 of 33
Visioning
Let’s imagine the
City in 2051......
How do people move
around the City?
How do we protect
agriculture?
Where and how do
we provide affordable
housing?
How do we protect
natural heritage?
How do we adapt to a
changing climate?
Where do people live, work,
go to school and play?
How do we sustain
tourism?
What does the city
look like, what do our
neighbourhoods look like?
How do we make sure
heritage and cultural
resources are protected?
Where are the city’s
green space and parks?Niagara Falls New Official Plan18Page 26 of 33
Talk to us
We’ve just started and are in the first phase of the project.
Check out Let’s Talk Niagara Falls (letstalk.niagarafalls.ca)
Click the Official Plan project page
Add your name to make sure you’re kept up to date on where and
how to share your thoughts
Talk to us at our engagement activities planned over the coming months
✔
✔
✔
✔Niagara Falls New Official Plan19Page 27 of 33
1
Heather Ruzylo
To:Bill Matson
Subject:RE: [EXTERNAL]-Niagara Falls Official Plan Meeting, March 5th, 2024
From: gh cayer <
Sent: Saturday, March 2, 2024 1:31 PM
To: Bill Matson <billmatson@niagarafalls.ca>; Francesca Berardi <fberardi@niagarafalls.ca>
Subject: [EXTERNAL]-Niagara Falls Official Plan Meeting, March 5th, 2024
Hello !
At the Meeting on March 5th, 2024, I plan on submitting a Resolution for an ICBL (Interim Control Bylaw
attached).
1. This Resolution is specifically intended to 'put a temporary freeze on land uses while the municipality is
studying - reviewing policies' ;
2. the freeze can only be imposed for one year;
3. there is no ability to appeal an interim control by law when it is first passed ; however, an extension to a
bylaw may be appealed.
This Interim Control Bylaw only requires a vote by Council (text in this colour is precisely as it appears in
the Govt. of Ontario Zoning bylaw document : Other Types of bylaws 12 and is consistent with Section 38
of the Planning Act of Ontario R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13).
It is temporary and will allow the City of Niagara Falls & its consultants the time required to conduct
comprehensive studies of relevant policies in the Official Plan, with the aim of making any necessary
policy improvements that will conform with D-6 Compatibility between Industrial Facilities to protect
the public and the residents of Niagara Falls.
Respectfully submitted,
Helene Cayer
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the
sender and know the content is safe.
Page 28 of 33
INTERIM CONTROL BYLAW - RESOLUTION
An Interim Control Bylaw to control the use of land, buildings, or structures for the purpose of new Gravel Pits or
Quarries on those lands within the Area under Zoning Bylaw , as
amended, within the City of Niagara Falls .
WHEREAS Section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended, authorizes the Council of a municipality
to pass an Interim Control Bylaw, that may be in effect for up to one year, prohibiting the use of land, buildings or
structures within the municipality or within the defined area thereof for such purposes as set out in the Bylaw, where
the Council of the municipality has directed that a review, or study, be undertaken with respect to land use planning
policies that apply to the subject area;
AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls has passed a resolution directing that a
land use study be undertaken to review the findings and recommendations of D-6 Compatibility between Industrial
Facilities | ontario.ca , the Aggregate Policy Review as well as Rehabilitation Master Plan, and
determine how to address those findings and recommendations in the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw
, as amended;
AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls seeks to control the establishment of
new gravel pits and quarries until the Supplementary Aggregate Resources Policy Study is completed;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
General
1.The lands affected by this Interim Control Bylaw are all those lands within the Mineral Aggregate
Resource Area as identified on Schedule of the City's Official Plan, excluding those
properties zoned (Extractive Industrial) under Zoning Bylaw , as amended, as shown
on Schedule attached hereto (the "Study Area").
2.Notwithstanding any other bylaw to the contrary, no person shall, for the lands identified on Schedule attached
hereto:
i.Use any land, building or structure for a Gravel Pit or a Quarry.
3.For the purposes of this Bylaw the following definitions from Zoning Bylaw , as amended
apply:
i.Quarry means an open excavation made for the removal of any limestone, sandstone, shale or
consolidated rock or mineral to supply such material for construction, industrial or manufacturing
purposes. This definition shall not include:
a) any excavation incidental to the construction of a building or structure for which a
Building Permit has been issued; or
b) any excavation incidental to any public works; or
c) any asphalt plant, cement manufacturing plant or concrete batching plant.
ii. Gravel Pit means any open excavation made for the removal of any soil, earth, clay, marl, sand,
gravel or unconsolidated rock or mineral to supply such material for construction, industrial or
manufacturing purposes. This definition shall not include:
a) any excavation incidental to the construction of a building or structure for which a
building permit has been issued; or
b) any asphalt plant, cement manufacturing plant or concrete batching plant.
4. This Bylaw shall come into full force and effect immediately upon the passing thereof and shall be in effect for
a period of one year from the date of passing of this Bylaw, or unless this Bylaw is otherwise extended in
accordance with the provision of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended, or repealed by Council
at an earlier date. Enacted by the City of Niagara Falls Council this day of , .
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1
The Niagara Falls Opposition Shadow
Cabinet
"The Official Opposition to the City of Niagara Falls Council"
“People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
Lady Justice
Do not redact the contents of this document
This document can be freely distributed
Comments #03-03-2024-04
Monday, March 04, 2024
PBD-2024-05 The new Official Plan for the City of Niagara Falls
Special Meeting of Council as per Section 26(3) of the Planning Act
Dear Council and residents of Niagara Falls,
First and foremost, clarify if the Official Plan can be appealed? I am under the impression
when a new Official Plan is created as opposed to an amendment there is no appeal
options for two years.
I request that the Official Plan provide for dwelling units to be permitted on the ground
floor of all CB commercial zones regardless of any other requirements such as building
height or frontage.
For forty years or so the Downtown core has failed to realize its potential, enough is
enough, decide that the old plan is not working and designate the primary purpose of the
downtown core to residential uses with commercial secondary.
Recent Committee of Adjustments decisions have allowed dwelling units on the ground
floor on Queen St., and if I recall the MZO allowed it for the areas around the transit
station.
The process has already started.
It was not fair that the CB Zoning Amendment did not provide this for all properties
regardless of building heights.
Furthermore, City Hall needs to leave the downtown core, it is an anchor holding back
the development of the surrounding area. This city has some sort of sentimental
attachment that City Hall has to be downtown. Do what Thorold did and move to a more
central location.
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2
You missed your opportunity to purchase the hatch building some time ago and provide
our city with a modern City Hall, now we have one that leaks water into chambers and
cannot accommodate its own staff.
All the banks have left downtown, time for City Hall to take their queue and leave also.
I request that a provision in the Official Plan provide for City Hall to relocates to a more
central location.
Considering the Hospital build will draw more resources to the other corner of the city, it
would be best for all residence, here and there if you just left the core area, because it is
no longer the core area.
Don't go away mad, just go away.
Please, if that helps.
The children of the downtown core (new construction) need the parents (old
establishments) to leave so they can prosper and grow on their own, such is life.
I request to be notified of all matters concerning this process.
More to follow.
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Joedy Burdett
President of the Niagara Falls Opposition Shadow Cabinet
Former 2022 Candidate for The Niagara Falls City Council
Representing nearly 10% of the voters
Ontario Independent Designer (BCIN 38837)
Building Services, Plumbing-All Buildings, Small Buildings
Owner Niagara Tinting
4480 Bridge Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 2R7
(905) 353 8468
Niagara Falls Opposition Shadow Cabinet
Mandate
Just as His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition is viewed as the caucus tasked with keeping the Federal
Government in check, it is the mandate of The Niagara Falls Opposition Shadow Cabinet, as the
Official Opposition to The City of Niagara Falls to hold the Niagara Falls City Council accountable for
their actions or intentions, realized or inferred.
Guiding Principals
“An opposition party is a political party that does not win enough seats in a general election to form a
government. The elected members of that party instead serve in the legislature as the opposition. An
opposition party criticizes and challenges the governing party, with the goal of improving legislation
and forming the government in the next election. The opposition party with the most seats is called
the Official Opposition or His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. This title emphasizes that the party remains
loyal to the Crown even as they oppose the governing party.”
The Niagara Falls Opposition Shadow Cabinet is neither funded nor associated with The City of Niagara
Falls.
Altering or redacting this document will be viewed as a violation of Section 2(b) of The Canadian
Charter of Rights.
Page 32 of 33
CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS
By-law No. 2024 - 026
A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of the City Council at its meeting held on
the 5th of March, 2024.
WHEREAS it is deemed desirable and expedient that the actions and proceedings of
Council as herein set forth be adopted, ratified and confirmed by by-law.
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF
NIAGARA FALLS ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. The actions of the Council at its meeting held on the 5th day of March 2024
including all motions, resolutions and other actions taken by the Council at its said
meeting, are hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed as if they were expressly
embodied in this by-law, except where the prior approval of the Ontario Municipal
Board or other authority is by law required or any action required by law to be taken
by resolution.
2. Where no individual by-law has been or is passed with respect to the taking of any
action authorized in or with respect to the exercise of any powers by the Council,
then this by-law shall be deemed for all purposes to be the by-law required for
approving, authorizing and taking of any action authorized therein or thereby, or
required for the exercise of any powers thereon by the Council.
3. The Mayor and the proper officers of the Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls
are hereby authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the
said actions of the Council or to obtain approvals where required, and, except
where otherwise provided, the Mayor and the Clerk are hereby authorized and
directed to execute all documents arising therefrom and necessary on behalf of
the Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls and to affix thereto the corporate seal
of the Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls.
Read a first, second, third time and passed.
Signed and sealed in open Council this 5th day of March, 2024.
.............................................................. .............................................................
BILL MATSON, CITY CLERK JAMES M. DIODATI, MAYOR
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