Back to Search
The City is seeking public input as it establishes a new Parkland Dedication By-law which is set to replace the existing by-law passed in 1974.
The by-law is a growth-funding tool available to municipalities under the Planning Act, allowing land for parks purposes to be acquired or improved.
The Planning Act allows for municipalities to set percentage or alternative rate requirements for Parkland Dedication and to impose conditions on development and redevelopment to receive parkland or payment-in-lieu of parkland.
“Our current practice is to require five per cent land dedication or payment-in-lieu for residential uses only,” says Margaret Josipovic, manager of planning services. “If passed by council, this new by-law will also allow the City to receive funds for the purchase or improvements to parkland from properties that are intended for institutional, commercial, and industrial, as well as alternative residential purposes.”
The City of St. Catharines engaged a consultant to undertake an in-depth analysis to assess the impacts of the various approaches the City may use to receive and purchase parkland. The findings support passage of a new by-law that will facilitate the acquisition of more land for parks or other public recreational purposes than what is currently possible.
Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to visit stcatharines.ca/ParklandDedication to learn more about the consultant analysis and offer feedback via an online survey before Sept. 13.
Subscribe