Draft Niagara Falls Official Plan: Progress Update and Development Implications

NIAGARA, NIAGARA FALLS, URBAN,

Niagara Falls’ new Official Plan aims to align with current Provincial policies, guiding growth and development through policy and zoning.

 

What is an Official Plan?

An Official Plan (OP) is a key planning document that outlines a municipality’s long-term vision, goals, and policies for land use and development, ensuring alignment with provincial and regional planning policies. It provides a comprehensive blueprint for managing growth across various land uses, such as residential, commercial, and agricultural, while addressing local and regional issues like density, transportation, environmental protection, and economic development. The OP must conform to the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS 2024) and the Niagara Official Plan (2022), and includes strategies for implementation through Zoning By-Laws and secondary plans. Public consultation is a vital component of the OP’s creation and amendments, with the document being subject to regular reviews to remain consistent with evolving provincial policies and community needs. It is a policy tool that guides municipal growth and development, ensuring sustainable and responsible land use management.

Context

The need for a new Niagara Falls Official Plan stems from the outdated 1993 plan, which has been amended too frequently and no longer serves the City effectively. This is compounded by changes at the Provincial level marked by the newly implemented PPS 2024 and the requirement to align with the Niagara Official Plan 2022. As such, the draft Official Plan is being developed by The Planning Partnership and Nethery Planning in conjunction with ongoing feedback from City, Regional, and Provincial staff. The new Official Plan development follows a five-phase process:

Phase 1: Project initiation and community visioning (Completed).

• The project was initiated with consultations and community engagement involving a wide range of Niagara Falls stakeholders, from citizens to local business owners, to identify the community’s vision for the future.

Phase 2: Preparation and sharing of Discussion Papers (Completed).

• Council was presented with a summary of community engagement results, highlighting key issues and suggested improvements, alongside completed background research and policy reviews.

Phase 3: Policy Directions Report (Current).

• The goals for the new Niagara Falls Official Plan have been defined based on the information gathered in the first two phases.

Phase 4: Drafting the Official Plan (Next Step).

• The draft OP will be developed using the policy directions outlined in Phase 3. Once completed, the draft will be reviewed by all stakeholders involved in the project.

Phase 5: Finalizing the Official Plan after public input and provincial approval.

• The plan will be reviewed and refined based on feedback from stakeholders before it is presented to Council for final approval.

Next Steps

The next step is the development of the Draft Niagara Official Plan, which will implement the identified goals and tools. This plan will be created throughout the year, with the draft expected to be presented to council later this year.

LANDx Assessment

Legislated updates to the Official Plan may have the potential to lead to changes in land use designations, affecting permitted uses, density requirements, and employment targets for properties. Residential developers may face new restrictions on unit mix, height, and land use permissions, potentially limiting development potential and impacting land value. Commercial and Mixed-Use projects must carefully assess how evolving policies impact site feasibility, streetscape requirements, and access to alternative transportation, all of which can shape long-term investment returns.

While property owners and developers are typically responsible for staying informed about planning policy changes that may affect their land; however, navigating the complexities of evolving regulations can be challenging. LANDx is here to help—our team provides expert guidance to ensure your project remains viable and aligned with the new Official Plan, maximizing both opportunity and value. Contact us today to strategize your next steps with confidence.