Glendale Secondary Plan gets first nod from councillors

A handful of revisions have been made to the Glendale Secondary Plan, one of the last steps in final approval for the framework related to growth and planning in that area of town.

In early December, approval was deferred after planners spoke to staff and Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors about minor changes that need to be made. 

And at Tuesday’s committee-of-the-whole planning meeting, those changes were before councillors for consideration, and were quickly received and endorsed without much debate. 

Coun. Sandra O’Connor said affordable housing also needs to be a component of the plan, and that “we really haven’t discussed the option for land acquisitions” related to this issue. 

But she believes this will come together as the municipality works on other housing strategies it has underway, and that council is “still relying on future studies the town is doing.” 

Coun. Gary Burouughs referred to the possibility of a new fire station being built in the Glendale area, but planning director Kirsten McCauley said the top brass at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire Department have indicated the hall that already exists there is “adequate” to serve the area. 

Spaces have been identified that could hold two new schools, said McCauley, noting that Niagara Catholic District School Board has indicated the need for a new elementary school in the area. 

“But it’s up to the school boards to acquire lands and construct a facility,” she said. adding the town will continue to work with the boards.

Clarification on the definition of “low impact employment-generating uses” was one of the revisions brought to committee on Tuesday. 

Staff explained this means “modestly scaled research and development facilities, light manufacturing uses and warehousing facilities and other employment uses where the operations are not noxious or offensive.” 

That was in response to a concern mentioned at the Dec. 3 meeting, when James Webb, a Hamilton-based planner speaking on behalf of the Glendale Industrial Mall at 360 York Rd., questioned the meaning of the term. 

Concerns about building heights, an ongoing discussion regarding the proposed development of four apartment buildings in Glendale, is also addressed in the revisions.

The major project under consideration is an expansion at White Oaks Resort, which could include buildings 17, 18, 21, and 25 storeys tall, and is subject to the proposed exemption through Transport Canada. 

“In recognition of the strategic growth area, the plan contemplates higher densities and taller building heights,” staff says in their report, noting this is subject to a number of requirements, including a permanent exemption from Transport Canada and a future amendment to the town’s Official Plan.

Meetings have been ongoing with Transport Canada, McCauley said. 

The planning framework established by the Glendale Secondary Plan will guide decision-making about future growth, with a mix of uses and buildings within the urban area, and is intended to protect the natural and rural features and functions in the area, says the staff report brought to councillors earlier this week. 

The plan applies to all land within the urban area bounded by Queenston Road to the north, Concession 7 to the east, the Niagara Escarpment to the south and Homer Road to the west. The Queen Elizabeth Way bisects the area and includes the Glendale Avenue interchange.

Approved by committee-of-the-whole this week, the plan will still need final approval from council.