Residential developers flock to Fort Erie
Planner says town’s charm, new GO station has boosted interest
While the number of building permits issued in 2020 was down over the year previous, the value of those permits was a record-setting $129 million.
That is up significantly over 2019, when 644 permits valued at $108 million were issued. In 2020, there were 591 permits approved.
Despite the dip in 2020, the number of permits being issued had been steadily rising, as the town has more and more became a popular destination for developers.
Kira Dolch, Fort Erie’s senior planner, said a lot of interest has to do with a decision by the province to extend GO Train Service to neighbouring Niagara Falls.
“The announcement of the GO train into Niagara Falls triggered the interest in the Niagara Region but the beauty and amenities Fort Erie has to offer did the rest,” Dolch said.
“Fort Erie has beautiful beaches/rivers, connective trails, natural areas, great downtowns, all within good proximity to the U.S. and Toronto.”
In the fourth quarter alone, residential permit activity included 65 permits being issued for new residential housing valuing about $27 million, with 32 per cent of those being issued for developments in the Ridgeway-thunder Bay area.
Dolch said she thinks it’s that area’s “small-town charm with all the amenities” that has been employed by some developers in the marketing plans.
“(That) was the original attraction to the area,” she said.
And the town, through a number of policies and plans, has shown it is ready to welcome developers.
“The Community Improvement Plan program has definitely assisted in the revitalization of a number of our downtown cores,” Dolch said. “Fort Erie’s Secondary Plan program has also contributed to the growth within the town as it provides some assurance to developers that sites are ready for development.”
Those same plans, she added, will help maintain balance between its natural and built heritage and new development, she added.
“We make sure developments are complete we consider walkability, proximity to amenities, connections to other areas, mix of housing, natural environment, streetscape, good urban design and other factors,” she said.
“Generally we focus on creating a community people want to live in. This, again, is why our secondary planning program is so important as it creates a vision for the community with extensive input from the community.”
In her report to council, Dolch called 2020 “an extraordinary year” despite the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“(It) started out typically, but due to the emergence of COVID -19 in the spring there was a definite change in how the department dealt with building permits and bylaw calls for service,” she wrote.