Fort Erie council gets early look at major zoning bylaw review

Fort Erie town council has received early insights on the municipality’s zoning bylaw review during an educational workshop with a consulting firm.

Its May 20 meeting at Fort Erie Central Fire Station included a presentation from project manager Rob Rappolt and project planner Erin Helsby of engineering and consulting firm WSP. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period for councillors.

The review started in January and is still in the early stages. Mayor Wayne Redekop said the meeting was to inform council on recommendations so far and for councillors to provide direction.

“The zoning bylaw is very important,” said Redekop. “The official plan provides the high-level direction for how land can be used. The zoning bylaw provides specifics.”

The official plan was approved by the province last week. It outlines designations for such things as community, commercial, rural and agricultural areas, among others.

Describing the zoning bylaw review, Redekop said, “It’s a large undertaking. It’s a large document.”

The current zoning bylaw was adopted in May 1990. According to the town’s website, it has almost 800 amendments as well as changes to individual regulations, general provisions, parking requirements and development standards.

That document also indicates no review like the one underway has happened since the bylaw’s adoption. Because of that, there are key areas under review to ensure they’re up to date, such as permitted uses, defined terms and developmental standards.

Redekop said councillors provided some direction on what they think is working with the current bylaw and what they think needs to be changed.

Above all, the main goal was to make its expectations of a zoning bylaw clear.

“We want to make sure there’s some integrity in those documents,” Redekop said.

By that he meant councillors want to be clear what can be done to land and what building standards are so they are “reflective of our vision for growth in the community and cannot be easily altered” by those coming to develop in Fort Erie.

While last week’s meeting was an educational session for council, Redekop said residents will be able to weigh in as the review progresses. This will include open houses. There is also a group of residents, business owners and other members of the community who will meet regularly.

“This is a public process, and nothing will be finalized without public opportunity to give input.”

Redekop said next steps will include those open houses, public consultation and other consultation with specific stakeholders.

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