Back to SearchResidents of St. Catharines can have their say on the latest recommendations and draft changes to the City’s Official Land Use Plan.
Triggered by the potential redevelopment of 50 acres of industrial land located on Ontario Street in the middle of the city, Council directed the City’s Planning and Building Services department to study the potential conversion of industrial lands to allow for alternative uses, such as residential and mixed use purposes.
This conversion, or re-designation, of industrial lands requires an amendment to the City’s Official Plan, and as such a comprehensive city-wide Land Needs Assessment was completed.
“The City is expected to grow by roughly 31,000 people by 2041, which will require over 14,000 new dwelling units to accommodate that growth. The City is also expected to accommodate for the provision of 18,000 new jobs during this time,” said Director of Planning and Building Services Tami Kitay. “So the big questions we needed to answer through the Land Needs Assessment were, can we accommodate this growth through the City’s current Land Use Plan, and are there opportunities to revise the Land Use Plan to best support and facilitate the accommodation of future growth?”
Following the Land Needs Assessment, the City’s Building and Planning Services department is recommending changes to the Official City Land Use Plan. These changes include re-designation and conversion of certain industrial lands including the property on Ontario Street, to permit alternative development opportunities. Other associated and relatively minor revisions to the Official Land Use Plan are also recommended.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an in-person public open house to present findings and draft recommendations was not possible. As an alternative, residents can go to www.stcatharines.ca/LNA to access a video presentation by Senior Planner Bruce Bellows, along with associated materials outlining the study background, context, findings and draft recommendations.
All written comments and input from residents received by Aug. 27, 2020, will be considered in the final study recommendations. This will be presented to City Council for consideration of approval at a legislated public meeting on Sept. 28, 2020.
Subscribe