Over the course of its mandate, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s current Lord Mayor and Town Council, with help from Senior staff, have made a series of planning decisions that are contrary to the Public Interest as defined by our Official Plan (2017) and injurious to existing natural and cultural assets in each of our five villages and agricultural countryside. 

Further, we believe these decisions, if allowed to stand and are compounded by similar planning decisions, will fundamentally, adversely, and permanently impact the economy and liveability of our villages, and the historic character of Niagara- on-the-Lake. 

Moreover, since many of these decisions were made in the absence of necessary professional studies paid by the Town and ignored expert advice from the town’s advisory committees, Town Council has assumed liability for unknown related future costs (such as unplanned infrastructure) for taxpayers to shoulder. 

Therefore, we gather at the Town Hall in Virgil at 4:30 PM on the 30 July 2024, and virtually, to respectfully call for the Lord Mayor and Town Council to undertake, at a minimum, the following remedial actions: 

1. On July 30th, vote against approval of the applications for subdivision of the heritage designated property at 187 Queen Street and clear-cutting of the mature trees on the Konik Estates property in Virgil. 

2. Repeal the rezoning decision of the Parliament Oak property pending the completion of a complete infrastructure study and neighbourhood impact assessment, charged back to the developer, and conducted by a reputable qualified engineering firm that assumes liability for its conclusions, followed by a thorough and informed consideration of those conclusions. 

3. Withdraw approval of the height allowances granted to the proposed White Oaks development in Glendale. 

4. Issue a temporary stop order on the Tanbark subdivisions in St. Davids pending a complete infrastructure study as defined in above item 2 . 

5. Withdraw council’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order in Virgil. 

6. Direct the CAO and planning staff to consider the intent of Official Plan as sacrosanct; the primary criteria upon which to assess applications and form recommendations; and, to utilize their expertise to support that Official Plan. We believe that a lack of understanding/education may be hindering the actions of Council. We suggest that Council, CAO, Director of Community Development Services, and Manager of Planning, organize and attend a course focused on the intent, purpose, and implementation of our Official Plan (2017) and the related provisions of the Municipal Act and Planning Act, that is presented at public hybrid sessions by appropriate Planning & Urban Design consultants, acceptable by the undersigned. 

7. Publicly reinstate the Members of Committees that were silenced last January and February by Council in violation of the Municipal Act. 

In conclusion, the decisions of council impact us, our children, grandchildren and the precious heritage shared by Niagara-on-the-Lake with all Canadians. We expect Council to preserve and enhance that legacy without exception.