Interim control bylaw limits development along Lake Erie waterfront
December 4, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Major development along a section of waterfront in Fort Erie is off limits for the next year.
Councillors approved a staff recommendation to implement an interim control bylaw at its December 2 council-in-committee meeting. The bylaw covers “the unique waterfront cottage area abutting Lake Erie between Point Abino Road South and Helena Street,” according to the report. It only covers the urban waterfront residential lands.
Policy Project Manager Aaron Hair told councillors staff don’t plan on halting all development for the area in question. Draft plans that have already begun will be able to continue, and property owners wishing to add smaller accessory structures or decks, or those who require a minor variance will still be able to do so.
“What we’re asking today is to put an interim control bylaw in place to limit that growth…so we can do a little more investigation as part of the official plan to scope what we want that waterfront area to look like going forward,” he said.
The intent behind the restrictions is to allow the town time to update its official plan, which will act as a guide to how Fort Erie grows out to 2051.
The move is temporary, in place for up to a year. The town will be able to extend the bylaw once, for an additional year, meaning the limits could be in place for as long as two years.
The bylaw met little resistance among councillors, with only Mayor Wayne Redekop asking about the scope.
He questioned if the area should be expanded to the Niagara River area, where he suggested there are several large properties within the urban boundary from Thompson Road to the Central Avenue and Bowen Road area that might benefit from a similar pause.
“I’m just wondering if consideration was given to that area as well?” he asked.
Hair said there are some existing town policies that provide a vision for that area, including the Bridgeburg Secondary Plan and the existing official plan.
“Whereas the areas along the lakefront, there is no real vision for what it’s supposed to look like,” Hair said.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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