In building on the momentum of the Niagara Economic Gateway, the Region is undertaking a Non Gateway Employment Lands Strategy for those employment areas located in non-gateway municipalities.
The Gateway Employment Lands Study and the Non-Gateway Employment Lands Study will provide Niagara with a region-wide employment lands strategy.
This strategy will provide a foundation for future region-wide economic development and will be the basis for implementation activities such as the preparation of secondary plans, targeted infrastructure and transportation improvements and proactive marketing of employment lands.
For more information, email Brian Dick or call 905-685-4225, ext.3365
Regional Council has adopted Smart Growth as a priority planning initiative for Niagara. The ten principles of Smart Growth outline the approach.
The Region has developed Smart Growth oriented Urban Design Guidelines to support the implementation of the Smart Growth Principles.
The objective of these guidelines is to assist the Region and local municipalities in the on-the-ground implementation of its Smart Growth Strategy.
The Regional Agricultural Economic Impact Study assessed the impact of agriculture on the regional economy and confirmed its importance. Important findings of the study include:
The top ten commodity groups in 2001 were: greenhouse, hog, cash crop, nursery, poultry, grape, tender fruit, beef, horse & pony, and dairy.
For more information, email Mary Lou Tanner or call 905-685-4225, ext. 3379.
The Amendment establishes a comprehensive new policy framework for protecting and enhancing environmental quality. It embodies a landscape-based, ecosystem approach to planning. Implementation will involve partnerships among the Region, the Conservation Authority, the local municipalities, landowners, and Provincial and Federal agencies.
The Amendment deals with: natural vegetation and wildlife; water resources; air quality and climate change; landforms, geology and soils; shorelines; natural hazards; core natural heritage such as woodlands, wetlands and fish habitat; and implementation. It also includes a Core Natural Heritage Map identifying significant natural heritage features and potential corridors connecting them.
The Cities of Port Colborne and Welland raised concerns about the natural heritage mapping within their municipalities. In approving the Amendment Regional Council deferred the mapping for these areas. Regional Planning staff will be working with planning staff from the Cities to resolve the outstanding mapping issues.
For more information, email Danielle De Fields or call 905-685-4225, ext. 3385.
Provincial legislation requires that local planning documents to conform with the Policy Plan and have regard to the Provincial Policy Statement. Moreover, the Region has been delegated the authority to approve local Official Plans and Plan amendments.
Conformity is necessary to:
The review of new local Official Plans and Zoning By-laws provides one significant opportunity to achieve conformity with the Policy Plan. Another opportunity is the Region's responsibility for approving local Official Plans and Plan amendments as delegated from the Province. It also provides a key opportunity to ensure that the principles of Smart Growth are implemented locally for site specific development applications.
For more information, contact the Integrated Community Planning Department at 905-685-4225 or by email.