To whom it may concern, The…

To whom it may concern,

The adopted Official Plan has Specific Policy Area that applies to the Fort Erie Waterfront Area - G.36. The lands subject to this policy are within the Settlement Area Boundary. The argument provided in this policy subset is that the area has not been comprehensively studied, and until such time, development, redevelopment and intensification are not supported by the adopted plan.

Generally, the Provincial Planning Statement policies support all types of residential intensification, including development and redevelopment, within previously developed areas and existing settlement areas. Additionally, these policies direct development toward creating complete communities within existing settlement areas, ensuring a mix and range of housing options are provided.

The Town’s Waterfront Policies under Section G.36 do not implement the Province’s direction. They instead freeze these areas in time, and do not commit the municipality to a timeframe, or clarity, on when or if these lands could be pragmatically and sensibly developed or redeveloped in the present or near future. They also do not allow for these areas to develop as complete communities, with a range and mix of housing options. On this basis, it is recommended that these policies be amended to be in alignment with Provincial policy, which is supportive of general intensification and the creation of complete communities within settlement areas.