Niagara-on-the-Lake Draft 2025 Official Plan – Envisioning a future for Historic Towns & Farmlands

DENSITY, ECONOMY, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, OFFICIAL PLAN,

Reinstating the 2019 Official Plan as the foundational framework for shaping and guiding the development of the updated 2025 OP.

 

Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is taking a significant step toward shaping the future of its historic township, responding to evolving provincial directives and local growth pressures while preserving its heritage settlements, rich agricultural lands, and vibrant community life.

In 2019, the Town adopted a draft Official Plan (OP), which was approved by Council but later rejected by the Niagara Region due to concerns about how regional planning objectives were not addressed.

Under the Planning Act (1990), municipalities are required to review and update their OP every five years to ensure alignment with evolving policy frameworks, including the Provincial Planning Statement (2024) and other upper-tier planning directives.

Since then, the Town has undertaken substantial revisions to the draft 2019 OP in response to sweeping provincial policy changes. These include new directives related to housing supply, municipal governance, and economic development tools aimed at enhancing local prosperity. Following the transfer of planning responsibilities from the Region to the Town, Council directed staff to prepare a new OP to replace the current in-force version.

The resulting draft 2025 OP builds on the foundation of the 2019 draft while updating key policies and priorities. The draft emphasizes:

• Managing population growth and directing intensification
• Supporting economic development and job creation
• Protecting agricultural lands
• Addressing housing needs
• Planning for climate resilience
• Preserving cultural heritage
• Promoting sustainable urban design
• Engaging Indigenous communities
• Improving transportation networks

 

The draft 2025 OP also includes policies tailored to unique land uses such as the Niagara District Airport, the Greenbelt, and the Glendale area. For many residents, core concerns remain centered around managing increased density, protecting agricultural resources, and improving transportation systems.

With the initial draft now approved by Council in July, Town staff have been authorized to conduct a series of public open houses to gather input from the community of NOTL, the businesses, and the Region. This feedback will guide further revisions to the OP between August and October, with a target adoption date of November 1st, 2025.

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LANDx has successfully led a wide range of residential, commercial, and agricultural development projects across the Town of NOTL from the built-up communities of Glendale, Queenston, Old Town, and Virgil to the broader agricultural areas.

With deep experience in NOTL’s planning landscape, LANDx provides strategic guidance to help clients navigate evolving OP policies and secure timely approvals. Our team combines policy expertise with strong municipal relationships to minimize risk and maximize project value.