How much, where and under what conditions should Niagara-on-the-Lake grow?

Development and growth consistently rank among the most important concerns expressed by residents.

Niagara-on-the-Lake faces increasing pressure for residential, commercial, hotel and tourism-related development. The challenge is determining the pace, scale, location and type of growth that the community can reasonably accommodate while protecting the characteristics that make Niagara-on-the-Lake unique.

Growth decisions made today will influence infrastructure requirements, traffic, taxation, the environment, agricultural lands, neighbourhoods and community character for decades.

Residents may want candidates to address:

• The pace, scale and location of new development.

• Appropriate residential and commercial density.

• Where additional growth should occur within the Town.

• Protection of agricultural lands and rural areas.

• Protection of established neighbourhoods and community character.

• The cumulative impact of multiple developments in the same area.

• Whether development decisions are consistent with the Town’s long-term vision.

• The relationship between development approvals and available infrastructure capacity.

• The transparency and public involvement associated with major development proposals.

• How the Town should balance provincial growth requirements with local priorities.

Key question for candidates:

How much growth can Niagara-on-the-Lake reasonably accommodate, where should it occur, and under what conditions should it be approved?