At the May 26, 2026, Council Meeting, Town Council officially adopted the new Official Plan for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a key priority of Council’s 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan.
An Official Plan is the Town’s primary policy document that establishes a long-term vision for land use, growth, and development. It guides decisions related to the location of housing, employment, infrastructure, parks, and environmental protection, while supporting the overall well-being of the community. The Official Plan also provides the policy framework for zoning by-laws and other planning tools and is consistent with Provincial policy and conforms to applicable Provincial plans.
The adopted Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Official Plan supports a complete, resilient community by directing growth to appropriate areas, protecting agricultural lands, and enhancing environmental systems. It further reflects a balanced approach highlighting the Town’s ongoing efforts to manage growth responsibly, protect its unique cultural and environmental heritage, and shape a vibrant, complete community for future generations.
The Official Plan update process included public consultation and a comprehensive conformity review to ensure alignment with updated Provincial legislation, including the Provincial Planning Statement, Greenbelt Plan, Niagara Escarpment Plan, and Niagara Official Plan.
Town Staff will forward the adopted Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Official Plan to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the coming days for approval.
The adopted Official Plan and Notice of Adoption are available to view on the Town’s website and the Join the Conversation project page.
Quotes:
“On behalf of Town Council, we are proud to have completed the Town’s Official Plan, a significant milestone and key achievement under Council’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027. The approval of the Official Plan was a significant priority of Council’s Strategic Plan, and will help guide responsible growth and decision-making in Niagara-on-the-Lake for years to come.” - Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa
“The Town thanks residents, stakeholders, community partners, and agencies for their participation and valuable feedback throughout the Official Plan Update process. Through active engagement and collaboration, we have reached this final stage with a plan that reflects the evolving needs, priorities, and vision of our community.” - CAO Nick Ruller
“The updated Official Plan provides a clear framework to support sustainable growth, protect Niagara-on-the-Lake’s unique character, and guide future development in alignment with provincial planning policies. I want to sincerely thank the Planning Team for their diligence and commitment throughout this comprehensive process, including the extensive public engagement, community consultation, and technical analysis undertaken to develop a final Official Plan that reflects the needs and priorities of the Town.” - Director of Planning, Building and Development Services, Aimee Alderman
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Media Contact:
Marah Minor, Corporate Communications Lead
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com