Category: Tom

Ontario has announced an additional $200M to help combat homelessness in Niagara.

The funding, which is part of the province’s Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supporting Housing Program, will bring Ontario’s yearly investment to Niagara to $700M.

The funding will be used to help residents at risk of homelessness and support community organizations delivering supportive housing.

The Niagara Region alone will now receive $20M, an increase of 86%.

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“An 86% increase in Provincial funding is welcomed news and thank you Premier Ford. Now we must ensure that the Town of Fort Erie receives our fair share of funding.” Said Ward 5 Councillor Lewis

Check out the article ‘Discovering the Hidden Gems of Fort Erie’ that was featured in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, and the National Post. To view the full article click here.

Councillors clashed over a land-use study regarding short-term rentals in Fort Erie, unable to agree on whether the report should be presented at the end of May as planned, or if it should be moved up to a special council meeting on May 1.

“(The town’s) expedited path does not create a solution for 2023. The businesses are hurting, the people who have made investments in the community are hurting, it has affected the real estate market, and for those reasons and those reasons alone, I will welcome an expedited process,” said Coun. Tom Lewis. 

Lewis noted that for a recent hockey tournament held in Fort Erie, participants had to find accommodations outside the town due to a lack of hotels, motels and short-term rentals available for participants. 

The study, which focuses on where short-term rentals can be appropriately permitted, was initiated in August 2022. 

When the study is completed, council will be able to use the it to make decisions about what changes are necessary to the official plan and zoning bylaws.

To view the full article click here

Memorandum – Short-Term Rental Land Use Study Update and Options as presented in the Memo for TOFE Council on Monday April 3rd 2023.  To read the memo click here

What a great turnout tonight for the Fort Erie International Academy hockey game against Universel Gatineau. Tonight’s proceeds are in support of #everychildmatters. Thank you to the sponsors and those who attended. Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.

During tonight’s Regular Council Meeting I asked Town of Fort Erie staff to prepare a memo for the April 3rd 2023 Council-in-Committee Meeting with options on how to advance the Short Term Rental (STR) Land Use Study recommendations for Council’s consideration. This is an important matter to TOFE residents, businesses and visitors. We are approaching the beginning of the 2023 Summer tourism season and we need a plan.

Memorandum – Short-Term Rental Land Use Study Update and Options as presented in the Memo for TOFE Council on Monday April 3rd 2023.  To read the memo click here

To view the full article click here

If you have branches for pick-up from the recent winter storms we ask that you neatly pile them at the end of your driveway or edge of the road (please keep them out of ditches and off the roads).

To register your property please call the Customer Service Unit at 905-871-1600 to be added to the list.

You can also use the Contact Us feature on the Town’s website at https://bit.ly/2WviPiX. You must register your address for pick-up by March 31st at noon, no additional dates will be added after this date. Town staff will arrange pick-up in the month following. Branch pick-up is not a normal Town function and this service was provided because of the extensive damage caused by the storms.

The Region of Niagara offers branch pick-up in the spring (May 1-26) and fall (October 30 – November 24). The collection takes place for four weeks, on your regular collection day. Visit the Region’s website for further details at https://bit.ly/3vJTMcN

You can also drop off branches at the Fort Erie Bridge Street Landfill (1300 Bridge Street) year-round, free of charge.

Thank you for helping clean up our community!

Earlier tonight Town of Fort Erie Council unanimously voted in support of the Staff Recommendation to deny the proposed amendment to the Town’s Zoning By-law No. 129-90 for Report No. PDS-25-2023 for lands known as 4409 Erie Road #CrystalBeach.

The Zoning By-law Amendment application proposed to demolish the existing one-story single detached dwelling, retain the existing two-story single detached dwelling, and rezone the subject property to a site-specific Residential Multiple 1 (RM1) Zone to facilitate the development of 8 new residential dwelling units.

Council denied the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment application for the following reasons:

– the proposal does not consider the character of the surrounding established residential neighbourhood;

– the subject property and waterfront properties along Lake Erie more generally were not identified for infilling and intensification;

– the proposal does not provide for appropriate open space on-site; and

– the property is not located within convenient walking distance from the elements of a traditional neighbourhood.

To read the full report visit https://bit.ly/400mYdl

Thank you to everyone who attended the meetings, provided meaningful and thoughtful comments as we considered this application.

Recently, The Town of Fort Erie Council considered passing a new Noise & Nuisance By-law and we would like input from residents and business owners.

Please visit the Let’s Talk Fort Erie Page below to complete the survey.

Let’s Talk Fort Erie Page: https://bit.ly/3ST62m9

The proposed By-Law can be found in the documents tab on the right side of the page.