Protect Our Trees, Heritage, and Community from Reckless Development

A heritage home built on stones from Fort Erie itself is under threat — and the trees that once surrounded it have already been illegally clear-cut.

For generations, 1 Burns Place has stood as a quiet, dignified reminder of our town’s history. But now, a seasoned developer — fully aware of the area’s environmental protections — has illegally clear-cut trees from a designated conservation zone without permits, and is pushing to demolish the heritage home to build 38 townhomes in the middle of a peaceful, single-family neighborhood.

To make matters worse, the developer is:

• Abusing Bill 23 to override local zoning rules,
• Ignoring Fort Erie's Official Plan and protections for heritage properties,
• Using high-paid lawyers to fast-track an Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearing, giving residents minimal notice,
• Attempting to shut the community out by rushing the process and limiting participation.

🗓️ The OLT Case Management Conference is scheduled for April 8, 2024
📄 All documents must be filed by March 28 to be considered.

The time to act is now.

This isn’t just about one lot. It’s about the future of Fort Erie — and every neighborhood in Ontario. If this developer succeeds in destroying a heritage site and conservation land here, it sets a precedent that puts every community at risk of overdevelopment, legal loopholes, and backdoor deals.

And it’s completely unnecessary.

There is no shortage of developable land in Fort Erie. Numerous nearby parcels are already zoned for mid- and high-density development — especially near the newly revitalized Main Street. But instead of building where it makes sense, this developer has targeted a protected, established neighborhood — simply because they think they can get away with it.

We are not against development. We support smart, responsible growth — growth that respects heritage, protects the environment, and aligns with local plans. This proposal does the opposite. It disrespects our laws, our landscape, and our community’s voice.

One image in the developer’s own heritage report claims a tree “fell naturally” - yet we have proof showing it being cut down by someone working for the developer. This isn’t just a breach of environmental rules - it’s a deliberate effort to mislead residents and decision-makers.

We call on the Town of Fort Erie and the Ontario Land Tribunal to investigate this evidence, and to hold the developer accountable for knowingly presenting false information in an official document.

It is an abuse of the law, an insult to Fort Erie, and a dangerous precedent for Ontario’s future.

✅ We Call On the Town of Fort Erie and the Ontario Land Tribunal to:

• Reject the proposed Official Plan and zoning amendments.
• Investigate and hold the developer accountable for illegal clear-cutting in a protected area.
• Preserve the heritage-listed home and its historic foundation made of Fort Erie stone.
• Ensure fair and transparent consultation for all future development.

🖊️ Sign this petition. Share it widely.