The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake held its regularly scheduled Council meeting on the evening of February 24, 2026, covering presentations, by-laws and various items of Town business.
Below is a summary of Council's discussions and decisions. To view the meeting agenda, including links to reports, presentations, and a video recording, please visit www.notl.com/council-government/meetings-agendas-minutes.
Presentations
The following presentation was made during the February 10, 2026, Committee of the Whole – General Meeting:
- Seniors Community Programs at Niagara Region
The following presentation was made during the February 17, 2026, Special Committee of the Whole - Planning Meeting:
- Old Town Heritage Conservation District
The following presentations were made during the February 24, 2026, Council Meeting:
- Niagara Parks Commission Updates on Projects and Initiatives
- Regional Chair Bob Gale Update
Delegations
The following topics were delegated on during the February 3, 2026, Committee of the Whole – Planning Meeting:
- 222 Gate Street
- 263 Concession 6 Road
- 308 Four Mile Creek Road
The following topics were delegated on during the February 10, 2026, Committee of the Whole – General Meeting:
- The Need for Respite Care for Caregivers in our Community
Lord Mayor's Report
In his report, Lord Mayor Zalepa reflected on attending the grand openings of the new Foodland grocery store and Orris Labs, welcoming provincial and international representatives to the Shaw Festival Theatre, hosting Grade 5 St. Davids students at Town Hall and attending Crossroads Public School, and participating in community events such as Seedy Saturday and Niagara College’s Caps, Corks, and Forks. The Lord Mayor also co-hosted the Heroes of the War of 1812 Charity Dinner in support of summer student positions at Fort George and Brock’s Monument.
The Lord Mayor attended the Community Energy and Emissions Workshop and the Great Lakes Coastal Hazards Roundtable. Upcoming community events include the Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids’ Sake Municipal Challenge and the Coldest Night of the Year Walk. The report also recognized Staff achievements, congratulating those who will be supporting the Town’s tourism and economic development initiatives.
Decision Highlights
Modero Subdivision Agreement (File No. 26T-18-22-01) (CDS-26-001)
- Council approved the Subdivision Agreement for the Modero Subdivision, authorizing draft plan conditions for the 15.4-hectare development west of Concession 7 Road and north of York Road.
222 Gate Street – Official Plan Amendment (OPA-02-2025) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA-02-2025) Applications (CDS-26-004)
- Council approved the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for 222 Gate Street to redesignate and rezone the vacant site to permit a site-specific, two-storey 18-room hotel with underground parking connected to the existing 124 on Queen garage.
2203 Niagara Stone Road (Second Mile Condominium) Modification to an Approved Draft Plan of Condominium (26CD-18-25-03) (CDS-26-008)
- Council approved the modification to the Draft Plan of Condominium at 2203 Niagara Stone Road to increase the development from six to nine townhouse units within the previously approved building envelope, subject to conditions and continued protection of the on-site conservation lands.
308 Four Mile Creek Road – Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA-24-2025) and Modification to an Approved Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium Applications (26CD-18-25-06) (CDS-26-014)
- Council approved the Zoning By-law Amendment and modification to the Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium for 308 Four Mile Creek Road to permit a total of 15 block townhouse units, including six additional units in Phase 2.
Pickleball
- Council directed Staff to keep the pickleball courts at Virgil Sports Park closed for the remainder of 2026 and to develop a solution to provide current pickleball players with access to an appropriate outdoor court for the 2026 season. Additional information will be shared in a forthcoming news release.
2026 Discretionary Grant Policy Update (CS-26-008)
- Council approved the updated 2026 Discretionary Grant Policy and Procedure, delegated authority to the Director of Corporate Services to execute grant agreements, and directed the 2026 program to open for applications on March 2, 2026, for four weeks, with working group review in April and a recommendation report returning to Council in May.
Province of Ontario Blue Box Transition – Recycling Collection Update (CS-26-010)
- Council approved receiving the report on recycling service options for non-eligible source properties, affirmed that the temporary Enhanced Level of Service in the Downtown Designated Area will end no later than December 31, 2026, and directed Staff to continue providing transition support and information-sharing without assuming a municipal recycling service delivery role.
Niagara-on-the-Green (North) Subdivision (26T-95005) Extension of Draft Plan Approval (CDS-26-011)
- Council approved a two-year extension of draft plan approval for the Niagara-on-the-Green (North) Subdivision to December 28, 2027, subject to updated conditions of final approval.
Parks & Recreation Action Plan, Implementation Framework and Visionary Guide (FES-26-003)
- Council approved directing Staff to prepare an Action Plan & Implementation Framework and a Community Assets Vision (“Places for People”) for the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Division, with both documents to be brought forward for adoption by the end of Q2 2026.
New Site Alteration By-law (OPS-26-004)
- Council approved the new Site Alteration By-law to replace By-law 3941-05, including updated permit fees, securities, enforcement provisions and short-form wording, and directed Staff to amend the Administrative Penalty By-law to designate the new Site Alteration By-law under the AMPS framework.
535 Niagara Boulevard Municipal Land (OPS-26-005)
- Council approved directing Staff to explore the potential divestiture of approximately 105 m² of Town-owned land at 535 Niagara Boulevard (Ryerson Park) to the adjacent landowner and to return by the end of Q2 2026 with a recommendation report outlining required steps, costs, and potential resale value of the land.
Advertising, Sponsorship, Naming, and Naming Rights Policy (CAO-26-008)
- Council approved the new Advertising, Sponsorship, Naming, and Naming Rights Policy, repealed the previous Advertising and Sponsorship Policy, and directed Staff to implement and administer the program, develop a fee schedule, and establish standard agreement templates in consultation with Legal Services.
Expansion of Heritage Conservation District – Draft Plan (CDS-26-032)
- Council approved the Old Town (Queen-Picton) Heritage Conservation District Plan (Phase 2) for the expanded district boundary and designation by-law under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. Stay tuned for more information in a news release coming soon.
Information Reports:
Council received items for information, including:
- 245 King Street (Irish Harp Pub) – Cash-in-Lieu of Parking Memorandum (CDS-26-007)
- End of 2025 Strategic Plan Update (CAO-26-007)
- Procurement Update (CS-26-004)
- Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom (FES-26-004)
Motions:
Proclamation – Amyloidosis Awareness Month
- Council approved a proclamation declaring March 2026 as “Amyloidosis Awareness Month” in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to raise awareness, promote early diagnosis, and support those affected by the disease.
Request to Amend Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry) – Moved by Councillor Mavridis
- Council approved a resolution requesting the Government of Ontario to amend Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000, to allow regulated public access to the registry, strengthen bail and sentencing provisions for repeat and high-risk offenders, enhance monitoring and supervision measures, and circulate the resolution to the Premier, relevant Ministers, local MPPs, and Niagara Region municipalities.
Next Council Meeting:
The next Council meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Community members are invited to attend in person at Town Hall, located at 1593 Four Mile Creek Road, Virgil, or tune in via the Town's livestream. Agendas and minutes are available on the Town's website at www.notl.com/council-government/meetings-agendas-minutes.
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Media Contact:
Marah Minor, Corporate Communications Lead
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com