Neighbourhood Secondary Plans

Here you will find information on the following:

• the progress of neighbourhood / secondary plans as they unfold,
• times and locations of information and public meetings,
• background information and reports prepared in support of neighbourhood plans,
• links to other relevant websites,
• information on how YOU can become more active in revitalizing our Fort Erie neighbourhoods!

The following links will take you to your Neighbourhood / Secondary Plan of interest:

SECONDARY PLANS

• Crystal Beach Secondary Plan
• Bridgeburg Secondary Plan
• Ridgeway - Thunder Bay Secondary Plan
• Spears - High Pointe Secondary Plan
• Stevensville Secondary Plan
• Douglastown/Black Creek Secondary Plan
• Southend Secondary Plan

What is a Secondary Plan?

A Secondary Plan examines and plans for land use of a specific geographic area in greater detail than the parent Official Plan. Secondary Plans provide detailed mapping of components found within their particular Plan Areas, such as:

• natural and environmental features,
• open space and parks,
• transportation networks (roads, bicycle lanes and trails),
• specific land use designations that illustrate the type and density of housing, commercial, mixed uses and employment.

A Secondary Plan can provide specific policies for select areas within a Plan Area. The policies are designed to take advantage of or assist in meeting particular objectives and goals. For example, the Town seeks to ensure sustainable communities well into the future.

A Secondary Plan includes consultation and participation with requirements for public input. Municipal staff encourages resident or stakeholder groups to give feedback to help staff define and articulate the goals set out at the beginning of the process. There are commenting periods for agencies and the public when a draft document is being advanced and circulated. Results from submission comments or consultation processes make their way to Town Council. This happens through Information or Recommendation Reports as the process and Plan refine.

After this process, a Statutory Public Meeting is conducted. This meeting features a final draft Secondary Plan. This meeting allows any public member to speak to members of Council. The public can provide their position of support or non-support before Council decides on the final draft document.

A Planning Act process known as an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) must happen for a Secondary Plan to be implemented. Should Town Council adopt an OPA involving a Secondary Plan, it must also receive Regional Council approval. Unless the Region delegates approval authority for a specific OPA to the Town, which has happened recently. The Secondary Plan process is conducted under the Planning Act. A decision of Council can be appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). The LPAT recently replaced the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) role. Once approved, each Secondary Plan will have its section within the Town's current/parent Official Plan.

Public participation and consultations are often effective means of reducing opposition. All stakeholders, including the public, can provide input and opinions for staff and Council before a decision is made.

A Secondary Plan represents the land use vision of Council for a select neighbourhood area. The policies of the Official Plan and the authority of the Planning Act back up the plan.

Moving Forward

Town of Fort Erie Council has determined that the development and approval of Secondary Plans is a priority. Therefore, council has allocated appropriate funding and staff resources to accomplish the task. In addition, council has considered and prioritized which neighbourhoods it wishes to devote staff resources towards.

Town staff are currently working on the Crystal Beach Secondary Plan. The plan shares its boundaries with the Ridgeway and Thunder Bay neighbourhoods.