Councillor Wayne Campbell
 

The City of Niagara Falls is saddened to share the news that Councillor Wayne Campbell has passed away.  Flags have been lowered to half-mast in remembrance of Councillor Campbell, who vacated his City Council seat earlier this week after 28 years of service. Council declared the seat vacant with the intention of filling it by appointment for the remainder of the term. 

The City extends heartfelt condolences to Councillor Campbell's family and friends during this difficult time. 

Niagara Transit Presentation 
 

Chair Mat Siscoe, Chief of Staff Jordan Hambleton, and General Manager Carla Stout of the Niagara Transit Commission attended the Council meeting to address questions about the Niagara Transit finance model.

After numerous iterations, presentations, and discussions among local municipalities, the current model was ultimately approved through the triple majority process.

Niagara Falls City Council voted on this proposal in December 2021, and it was first included as a report in the Council's agenda in July 2021. The plan stipulates that each local area municipality (LAM) will pay a Special Levy based on the service hours it receives.

The report's Key Facts state, "Service levels are different in each municipality; therefore, the Region proposes that twelve (12) Special Levies be adopted in 2023. Each special levy will allocate 65% of 2023 net transit costs based on service hours, with existing Niagara Regional Transit services continuing to be allocated to the special levy based on local share of Region-wide assessment."

View the Memo from Niagara Transit.

Council approved a Zoning By-law Amendment and concurrent Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium on behalf of Lotus Land Development Corp. for 8168 McLeod Road to facilitate the development of 3 blocks of 18 townhouse dwelling units, with added permission for basement Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs). The application was approved with several recommendations. 

View the report. View the Staff presentation. View the Agent presentation.

Council approved an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for land at 7737 Lundy’s Lane to convert an existing motel with 118 rooms to bachelor dwelling units, of which 30 dwelling units are proposed to be at an affordable price, with regulations. The property has been rezoned as a site-specific Tourist Commercial (TC) zone. 

View the report. View the Staff presentation. View the Agent presentation. 

The City's Official Plan consultants, The Planning Partnership (TPP) and Nethery Planning shared a Policy Directions Report outlining the key directions that will shape the policies of the Our Niagara Falls Plan. This document builds on and advances the project's previous work done in Phase 1 (background and document review) and Phase 2 (preparation of Discussion Papers).

They also shared Discussion Paper 7—Conformity and Implementation of the New Official Plan. This final discussion paper addresses the Provincial and Regional Legislative and Policy Context that the Our Niagara Falls Plan must conform to or be consistent with, including the most recent Provincial Planning Statement 2024. The Paper also outlines the policy implementation options available to the City.

Consultation on the draft Policy Directions Report and Discussion Paper 7 with Council, stakeholders and the public occurred between December 2024 and February 2025.

The Policy Directions Report and Discussion Paper 7 will lead into and provide structure for creating draft Official Plan policies and mapping through Phase 4 of the project. 

View the report. View the Presentation. View the Key Policy Directions Report. 

Upcoming Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illuminations
(approved at Previous Council Meetings)