More public input needed in Niagara’s official plan
Document to lay framework for development will be the Region’s first new one since 1972
A few residents have had their say about the development of Niagara’s first new official plan in more than 45 years, but regional councillors want far more public input before the document is finalized in 2021.
During a public meeting to discuss the policy last Thursday, the Region’s official plan policy consultant, David Heyworth, told regional councillors he had visited seven of Niagara’s local municipalities so far, and intends to visit the rest of Niagara’s municipal councils in the next few months, as well as Niagara’s Indigenous community.
Regional councillors also want public meetings to be organized in each of Niagara’s 12 municipalities.
“That’s where I think you’re going to get more involvement in terms of the public,” said Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop, who amended a motion to instruct planning staff to organize meetings in communities throughout the region.
Thorold Coun. Henry D’Angela agreed, saying he would prefer that “each municipality has an open house throughout this process.”
Although the current official plan has been updated many times since it was drafted in 1972, Heyworth said the policy he is developing will reflect changes within the region while preparing Niagara for the growth to come.
Its objectives include laying the framework for “great development,” facilitating opportunities for economic growth while protecting natural and agricultural resources, and responding to the challenges of climate change, he said.
The plan will also set priorities such as protecting employment land, as well as agricultural and natural areas, while intensifying urban areas in St. Catharines and emerging urban centres in Niagara Falls and Welland.
But Fort Erie Coun. Sandy Annunziata wondered how flexible the plan will be to accommodate development.
“How outside the box are we thinking on this? If we identify a great opportunity and there’s just absolutely nowhere within provincial policy to implement that vision, how aggressive are we going to be to have the province accommodate, or put in language that would provide that opportunity for that possibility?” said Annunziata.
“Are we just going to wash our hands and say, unfortunately, there’s nothing in provincial policy that allows us to do this, so we’re stuck with the status quo?”
Planning commissioner Rino Mostacci said the new policy will include a mandate giving the Region more say in land use.
“That’s a point of departure in terms of identifying key opportunities that are important to the Region,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say that we’re going to be aggressive, but we’re going to be consistent and we’re going to bring forward evidence … a rational, cogent analysis to convince folks that need to be convinced that we’re doing the right thing from a land use perspective.”
Councillors heard from several residents during the public meeting, including John Bacher from the Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society.
Bacher was primarily concerned about the potential of removing property from protection, describing it as “dangerous ground.”
“I plead to you that this exercise not be a mechanism to reduce the size of environmental conservation, to open up to development based on what I believe is junk science from self-interested parties,” he said.