Zoning bylaw done in- house nears approval stage

Port Colborne is another step closer to developing a new zoning bylaw — and it has saved the city money in the process.

The draft zoning bylaw has been researched and written up by Port Colborne city staff as opposed to a third- party, outside source.

Dan Aquilina, director of planning and development, said during Monday night’s city council meeting that going about it in this way has saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars. He said for a third party to do it could cost anywhere between $ 50,000 and $ 100,000.

The new bylaw will replace the current bylaw approved in 1982 and which contains more than 400 amendments.

Council has had a number of discussions about the new bylaw. During Monday night’s meeting a report about the new bylaw was approved. It indicated the draft zoning bylaw “review and update has led to the creation of a set of modern simplified zoning regulations universally applied throughout the city.”

New zoning categories and the removal or reworking of old categories have been factored into the draft. These will do things including updating setbacks and parking and general provisions, while doing other things such as paying attention to supporting growth and development and ensuring compliance to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

There was a public meeting and open house for residents in regards to the new zoning bylaw last year. Monday it was deemed that no further public meetings are required.

The draft bylaw is attached to the Feb. 12 Port Colborne council agenda, available online at portcolborne. ca/ page/ minutes_ and_ agenda.

Mayor John Maloney said the bylaw will be up for consideration at the next council meeting, Feb. 26.