The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake held its regularly scheduled Council meeting on the evening of July 21, 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.
Closed Sessions
The following topics were discussed during a Closed meeting during the July 7, 2026, Committee of the Whole – Planning meeting:
- 1544-1546 Four Mile Creek Road
- Disposition of Land
The following topic was discussed during a Closed meeting during the July 21, 2026, Council meeting:
- Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
Tree Appeals
The following tree appeals took place during the July 7, 2026, Committee of the Whole – Planning meeting:
- 852 Charlotte Street
- 43 Grange Crescent
Public Meetings
The following public meetings were held during the July 7, 2026, Committee of the Whole – Planning meeting:
- 95 Johnson Street (PBDS-26-045)
- 1339 Lakeshore Road (PBDS-26-056)
Delegations
The following topic was delegated on during the July 7, 2026, Committee of the Whole – Planning meeting:
- 1317 York Road – Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment
The following topics were delegated on during the July 14, 2026, Committee of the Whole – General meeting:
- Age Friendly Niagara Council
- Cash-in-Lieu of Parking Request 245 King Street
Presentations
The following presentation was made during the July 7, 2026, Committee of the Whole – Planning meeting:
- MHBC Planning, Urban Design & Landscape Architecture – Dock Area Master Plan
The following presentation was made during the July 14, 2026, Committee of the Whole – General meeting:
- Last Strategic Plan Update to Council
The following presentation was made during the July 21, 2026, Committee of the Whole – General meeting:
- KMPG – 2025 Audit Findings Report
Decision Highlights
1317 York Road – Official Plan Amendment (OPA 07-2025) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA-15-2025) (PBDS-26-024)
- Council refused an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for 1317 York Road to permit the development of five townhouse units and one single-detached dwelling in St. Davids.
Emergency Control Group and Emergency Management Program Committee Appointment Updates (CPS-26-012)
- Council approved updates to the Town's Emergency Control Group and Emergency Management Program Committee appointments to reflect the current organizational structure and strengthen coordinated emergency preparedness and response.
Municipal Facilities Space Optimization Update – No. 1 (CPS-26-014)
- Council approved a phased, decentralized staffing accommodation model to optimize the use of existing municipal facilities, improve service delivery, continue organizational reviews, and modernize the Council Chambers with up to $150,000 in capital funding.
2025 Development Charges Reserve Fund Statement (CS-26-027)
- Council approved the 2025 Development Charges Reserve Fund Statement, reporting that $14 million in development charge revenues remains available to support future eligible growth-related capital projects.
2025 Capital Project Closure Report (CS-26-031)
- Council approved the 2025 Capital Project Closure Report, closing 99 completed or cancelled capital projects, transferring $2.35 million in favourable project variances, and reallocating surplus funding to support future capital priorities.
2026 Municipal Election - Continuity of Municipal Operations and Delegated Authority (CS-26-033)
- Council approved a delegation of authority to the Chief Administrative Officer, if required during the 2026 municipal election transition period, to ensure continuity of municipal operations and service delivery until the new Council takes office.
Cash-in-Lieu of Parking Request 245 King Street (Irish Harp) (PBDS-26-057)
- Council approved a cash-in-lieu of parking agreement for 245 King Street (Irish Harp), allowing the removal of three parking spaces to accommodate a permanent outdoor patio while supporting the property's continued commercial and tourism use.
2025 Year-End Deficit (CS-26-039)
- Council approved funding the Town's 2025 operating budget deficit of $211,958 (0.7% of the operating budget) from the Contingency Reserve following stronger-than-anticipated year-end financial results.
2025 Financial Statements and Audit Findings Report (CS-26-040)
- Council approved the Town's 2025 audited financial statements and Audit Findings Report, confirming an unqualified audit opinion from KPMG and the fair presentation of the Town's financial position for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Memorandum of Understanding – Niagara Pumphouse Visual Arts Centre (CS-26-023)
- Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Niagara Pumphouse Visual Art Centre, formalizing the Town's partnership to support visual arts programming, community engagement, and stewardship of the historic Pumphouse facility.
524 York Road – Zoning By-law Amendment Application – ZBA-07-2026 (PBDS-26-071)
- Council approved a Zoning By-law Amendment for 524 York Road to remove the Holding (H) provision, allowing development of the site to proceed following approval of the required woodland enhancement plan and environmental restoration agreements.
Parks & Recreation Guiding Documents (CPS-26-013)
- Council endorsed the Parks & Facilities Vision Plan and the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Action Plan as strategic guiding documents to support future planning, capital investment, asset management, partnerships, and service delivery for the Town's parks, recreation facilities, and community spaces.
Information Reports:
Council received items for information, including:
- Community Planning Permit System (PBDS-26-064)
- Municipal Enforcement Informational Update (CPS-26-005)
- Second Quarter & Final Strategic Plan Update for 2026 (OPST-26-007)
- 2025 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses Paid for Members of Council, and Members of Local Boards (CS-26-035)
- Proposed Protecting Ontario’s Food Independence Act (Bill 109) (PBDS-26-078)
Motions:
Proclamation – World Hepatitis Day
- Council approved a proclamation declaring July 28, 2026, as World Hepatitis Day in Niagara-on-the-Lake to raise awareness, encourage testing and treatment, and support efforts to eliminate hepatitis as a public health concern.
Development of a Heritage Sign Program – Moved by Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa
- Council approved directing Staff to develop a Heritage Sign Program through the Town's Cultural Asset Mapping initiative, in consultation with the Municipal Heritage Committee, Tourism NOTL, and the Town Historian, and report back with recommendations to recognize and interpret significant heritage sites, people, events, and cultural landscapes.
Next Council Meeting:
Please note that there are no Council meetings in August. The next Council meeting is scheduled for September 22, 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