Official Plan

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The Official Plan for the Niagara Falls Planning Area is a document with a 20 year vision outlining long term objectives and policies of the City with respect to the growth and development of urban lands; the protection of agricultural lands and the conservation of natural heritage areas; and the provision of the necessary infrastructure.

Official Plan Document

• THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
  Official Plan Amendment No. 96 - Environmental Policies (adopted 11/8/2010)
• Official Plan Amendment No. 94 - Growth Management Policies (adopted 01/31/2012)
• OFFICIAL PLAN TEXT
• SCHEDULE "A" - FUTURE LAND USE
• SCHEDULE "B" - PHASING OF DEVELOPMENT
• SCHEDULE "C" - MAJOR ROADS
• SCHEDULE "D" - COMMUNITY PLANNING DISTRICTS
• SCHEDULE "E" - TOURISM DISTRICTS
• SCHEDULE "F" - LANDS AFFECTED BY SPECIAL POLICY #25

• APPENDIX I - DEFINITIONS
• APPENDIX II - FORMER AND EXISTING MUNICIPAL LANDFILLS
• APPENDIX III - WOODED AND TREED SITES
• APPENDIX IV - POTENTIAL AGGREGATE RESOURCES
• APPENDIX V - COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AREAS
• APPENDIX VI - FUTURE CULTURAL HERITAGE STUDY AREAS

Amendments

The Official Plan is a dynamic document that is constantly updated and changed through City-initiated amendments and privately-initiated amendments. Planning staff is currently working on an Official Plan Review, in two phases: Growth Plan Conformity and updates to the remaining sections of the Plan.

City-Initiated Amendments

Growth Management Policies - Official Plan Amendment No. 94

City Council has adopted Official Plan Amendment No. 94 which focuses on bringing the Plan into conformity with the Province's Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The amendment is awaiting approval by the Niagara Region.

Environmental Policies Update - Official Plan Amendment No. 96

City Council has adopted Official Plan Amendment No. 96 which updates and brings new policies into the Official Plan for the protection of our natural areas. The policies are waiting for approval by the Niagara Region.

Garner South Secondary Plan – Official Plan Amendment No. 99

City Staff brought Amendment No. 99 to a Public Meeting in front of City Council on October 24, 2011 to receive comments on the Garner South Secondary Plan.

Privately-Initiated Amendments

The Official Plan may also be amended through private applications for a specific development proposal. Check Events and Notices for information on applications being considered. Official Plan amendment applications can be found on our Application Forms page.

Secondary Plans

Secondary Plans are land use, transportation and servicing policy plans for sub-areas of the City that indicate in detail how the policies and land use designations of the Official Plan are to be implemented in that area.

Niagara Falls is currently preparing the following Secondary Plans:

Garner South Secondary Plan (formerly Warren Woods)

Thundering Waters Secondary Plan