Category: Tom

At tonight’s Council meeting council considered the Proposed Draft Plan of Condominium and Zoning By-law Amendment – Canadian Condominium – 272 Ridge Road South – Wendy McGaeghan and Patrick McGaeghan – Owners – Culture Developments Inc. / 5038257 Ontario Inc. (Craig Devries) – Agent. This proposed draft plan of subdivision was approved with two amendments moved by myself and supported by the majority of Council. The amendments included adding that no Short Term Rentals (STR) be allowed in this subdivision and no roof top patio’s or amenity space be allowed on the upper levels of this proposal. To review the proposal that council considered visit https://pub-forterie.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=256 

To view the recording of the meeting click here

Today, I was pleased to participate in the 2nd annual Fort Erie Pride celebrations at Fort Erie Town Hall. Events started at 12noon and ended with a concert happening all day with concert (Simply Hip) starting at 8:30pm at the Fort Erie Leasureplex.

Be you! Be Proud! This is why I am proud to call Fort Erie, home. A place where we welcome and celebrate and appreciate our diversity.

On Monday June 26th 2023 Council will be considering the Proposed Draft Plan of Condominium and Zoning By-law Amendment – Canadian Condominium – 272 Ridge Road South – Wendy McGaeghan and Patrick McGaeghan – Owners – Culture Developments Inc. / 5038257 Ontario Inc. (Craig Devries) – Agent

• Resolution:That: Council approves the amendment to the Town’s Zoning By-law No. 129-90 as detailed in Report No. PDS-48-2023 for the lands known as 272 Ridge Road South, and furtherThat: Council approves the Canadiana Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium dated May 13, 2022, showing 3 blocks for a total of 18 block townhouse dwellings as Appendix “2” of Report No. PDS-48-2023, in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990 c. P. 13 and the Regulations thereunder, subject to the conditions contained in Appendix “3” of Report No. PDS-48-2023, and furtherThat: Council directs staff to circulate the Conditions of Draft Plan Approval in Appendix “3” of Report No. PDS-48-2023 to the applicable agencies in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act, and furtherThat: Council directs Staff to submit the necessary by-law.

To read the full report please visit https://pub-forterie.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=256 Questions to be addressed to Town of Fort Erie Planner Daryl Vander Veen Intermediate Development Planner dvanderveen@forterie.ca or you may contact Councillor Tom Lewis at tlewis@forterie.ca

In 2008, TV station Buffalo WNED, paid tribute to our Crystal Beach Amusement Park. Earlier this week the episode appeared again, and was also highlighted on social media. The magic never fades and it was nice to see social explode with fond memories.

To view the episode visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb7wqj6NFYk

Earlier today I was informed that Niagara Health (NH) plans to reduce (by half) the Urgent Care Services at the Douglas Memorial site in Fort Erie. The NH has informed us that this change will happen as of July 5^th, 2023 and this is not a temporary reduction in services.  

Health Care in Ontario includes Fort Erie and for more than 25 years the NH and various Provincial Governments have removed services from our growing community. Niagara Health includes Fort Erie and health care in our region is not about one community winning and another losing.

I am pleased that Fort Erie Council will be having a Special Meeting next week on Monday, June 5^th to consider the matter and our options. As more information becomes available, I will do my best to keep the community informed with regular updates on social media and on this constituency page.

Please see the statement below from the Town of Fort Erie click here.

While diversity leads to the presence of differences, equity is the process that ensures a fair system through which the possible outcomes for everyone are equal. Equality does not hurt anyone!

Fort Erie is a safe, beautiful, and inclusive space to call home, and I am truly blessed to say I live here.

I would like to wish EVERYONE a happy and safe Pride Month! Town of Fort Erie

To learn more about Pride Niagara events click here Fort Erie Pride click here.

On Monday, May 29th Fort Erie Council approved the Short Term Rental (STR) Land Use Study Report PDS-41. It was a lengthy report and the beginning of the Zoning and OP process which will include several public meetings and a full public process.

The report, including the study, may be accessed using the following links:

1. https://forterie.civicweb.net/…/31BFE64FE137472E8F55BBF…

2. https://forterie.civicweb.net/…/7D9A2DB731FF481F96EE003…

Dates and information about the process will share on this site and www.forterie.ca

TOFE Council will consider by law and Report PDS-41-2023 regarding the Fort Erie Short Term Rental (STR) Land Use Study at its regular meeting of Council May 29, 2023.

The report, including the study, may be accessed using the following links:

1. https://forterie.civicweb.net/FileStorage/31BFE64FE137472E8F55BBF6E8A2D8CF-PDS-41-2023%20STR%20LUS%20Report%20-%20Appendix%201%20and%202.pdf

2. https://forterie.civicweb.net/FileStorage/7D9A2DB731FF481F96EE003393463682-PDS-41-2023%202-STR%20LUS%20-%20Appendix%203%20and%204.pdf

Please be aware that the May 29, 2023 meeting will not be a public open house/meeting. Those wishing to make a delegation to Council on this matter should visit the following webpage.
https://www.forterie.ca/pages/CouncilDelegation

Reminding residents that a public referendum is being held in #forterieFort to keep urgent care services open.

The voting locations will be in various locations throughout Fort Erie, Ridgeway, Crystal Beach and Stevensville.

For a the full list of locations, and dates/times please visit

Please Note: This is not a Town of Fort Erie event. For questions please contact Heather Kelley at 905-993-2078 or Sue Hotte at Niagara Health Coalition.

Photo of Fort Erie Urgent Care Douglas Memorial Site

Effective May 8, 2023 the Short-Term Rental Moratorium will be lifted beginning at 8:30 a.m EDT

At the Regular Council meeting held on April 24, 2023, Council passed a resolution to lift the Short-Term Rental (STR) Licencing moratorium effective May 8, 2023. This was done to address the lack of accommodation space for the 2023 season. By-Law enforcement will deal with all concerns related to breaches of by-law such as noise and nuisance.

On Monday, May 8, 2023 starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT, new applications will be received, with the applicable documents, online. 

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first- serve basis. 

Early submissions prior to May 8, 2023 will not be accepted. 

A maximum of 250 Short-Term Rental Licences can be issued in Fort Erie annually. Given the number of existing licences already issued, there will be approximately 55 remaining licences available for 2023 which will be subject the current By-law: Short-Term Rental By-law

Information regarding the application fee and required documents are listed below. 

The Short-term Rental Land Use Study is ongoing for more information on the Land Use Study, please click here.

Short-Term Rental licences are non-transferrable.

For more information on Short Term Rentals visit www.forterie.ca/pages/ShortTermRentals