Fort Erie meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Fort Erie Council Amends Capital Budget, Approves Zoning Changes and BIA Loan

Fort Erie Council amended the 2026 capital budget to shift $885,000 in sewer reserve funds to a CSO grant and added $600,000 from the reserve for wastewater repairs during its July 6 Council-in-Committee meeting. Council also approved zoning amendments for two properties and a $25,170 loan to the Ridgeway Business Improvement Area (BIA).

Council-in-Committee Decisions

During the July 6 meeting, council members voted on several items that were carried.

• **Capital Budget:** Council amended the 2026 capital budget by substituting $885,000 from the Sanitary Sewer Refurbishing Reserve with CSO grant funds. The budget amendment also added $600,000 to WWTR26 from the sewer reserve for wastewater repairs.
• **Zoning Amendments:** Council approved zoning by-law amendments for 5289 Gilmore Road and 2277 Ridgemount Road.
• **BIA Loan:** A $25,170 loan to the Ridgeway BIA was approved with a three-year repayment plan.
• **Drainage:** Spriet Associates London Limited was appointed as the drainage engineer for the Miller Creek Municipal Drain.
• **Flooding:** Council received the Six Mile Creek flooding project update and directed staff to include detailed design funding in the 2027 budget.
• **Lot Maintenance:** Staff were directed to prepare a lot maintenance by-law amendment for vacant lots.
• **Litigation:** Council approved closed meeting minutes and authorized the solicitor to proceed on litigation.

Museum and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee

The Museum and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee met on July 6 and July 8. Minutes for these meetings have not yet been published, but agendas indicate the committee discussed a Coloured Cemetery Interpretive Panel, a plaque program, and a Heritage Homes List/Map. The committee also addressed business arising from previous meetings, including the 1 Burns Place Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) case, Douglas Memorial Hospital, Battlefield Cabin, and 3555 Nigh Road. A museum financial update was also scheduled.

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment held public hearings on July 16 on nine applications for minor variances and consents. Minutes are not yet published. The agenda included a multi-parcel development on Elizabeth Road involving 17 properties by Crystal Beach Estates (Files A34-26 to A37-26, B21/26, B22/26, B23/26). Other items included a minor variance for 0-19770 Rebstock Road by Marz Homes (File A31-26), a variance for 210 Ridgeway Road for Essentials Cremation and Burial Services (File A38-26), and a consent for 252 Douglas Street (File B24/26). A minor variance for an unassigned parcel at 0-12333 Beach Avenue (File A15-26) was also on the agenda.

Coming Up

Fort Erie Regular Council is scheduled to meet on July 20. The agenda includes proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments for 19 Derby Road, as well as zoning by-law amendments for 5289 Gilmore Road and 2277 Ridgemount Road. Council will also consider increasing the Town Solicitor's authority to settle uninsured claims to a maximum of $100,000, a Physician Recruitment Incentive Funding Agreement with Dr. Yasir Khan, and amendments to overnight parking fees for Erie Road and Cambridge Road. Updates to planning application fees and charges effective January 1, 2027, are also scheduled for review.

Fort Erie council approves zoning changes, BIA loan, and capital budget shift in busy week of meetings

Council-in-Committee: Zoning, loans, and budget changes approved

Fort Erie Council-in-Committee made several consequential decisions on July 6, 2026, including zoning amendments, a loan to the Ridgeway Business Improvement Area, and a shift in the 2026 capital budget.

Council approved zoning by-law amendments for 5289 Gilmore Road and 2277 Ridgemount Road. Both items carried.

A $25,170 loan to the Ridgeway BIA was approved with a three-year repayment plan. The vote carried.

The 2026 capital budget was amended to substitute $885,000 from the Sanitary Sewer Refurbishing Reserve with CSO grant funds, and to add $600,000 to WWTR26 from that same reserve. That motion carried.

Council also received an update on the Six Mile Creek flooding project and directed staff to include detailed design funding in the 2027 budget. The motion carried.

Other carried items from the July 6 meeting:

• Appointment of Spriet Associates London Limited as drainage engineer for the Miller Creek Municipal Drain.
• Direction to staff to prepare a lot maintenance by-law amendment for vacant lots.
• Approval of closed meeting minutes and authorization for the solicitor to proceed on litigation.

Accessibility Advisory Committee: Election plan and workplan items

On June 30, 2026, the Accessibility Advisory Committee reviewed a draft accessibility plan for the 2026 municipal election, which will introduce online voting. Members discussed concerns about polling location changes in the Black Creek area and the accessibility of physical voting sites.

The committee approved the June 30 agenda and the June 2 minutes. Both carried.

The committee deferred its review of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2024-2029 survey responses.

Six facility maintenance items were added to the 2026 workplan, including grab bars at Crystal Beach Waterfront Playground.

Museum and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee: Discussions held, no decisions recorded

The Museum and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee met on July 8, 2026. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed in the available record.

Agenda items listed for discussion included a Coloured Cemetery Interpretive Panel, a Plaque Program, a Heritage Homes List/Map, a Museum Financial Update, and Miller's Creek Bridge. Business arising from previous meetings included the 1 Burns Place Ontario Land Tribunal case, Douglas Memorial Hospital, Battlefield Cabin, and 3555 Nigh Road.

A July 6 agenda for the same committee listed similar items. Because minutes are not yet available, the outcome of these discussions is not recorded in the provided documents.

Coming up

Committee of Adjustment — July 16, 2026: Public hearings are scheduled on nine variance and consent applications. Notable items include:

• Multiple variance and consent files for 17 properties on Elizabeth Road by Crystal Beach Estates (Files A34-26 to A37-26, B21/26, B22/26, B23/26).
• Minor variance for 210 Ridgeway Road for Essentials Cremation and Burial Services (File A38-26).
• Minor variance for 0-19770 Rebstock Road by Marz Homes (File A31-26).
• Minor variance for an unassigned parcel at 0-12333 Beach Avenue (File A15-26).
• Consent for 252 Douglas Street (File B24/26).

Residents affected by any of these applications may wish to attend or follow the hearing outcomes.

Fort Erie council considers parking fee cut, zoning changes ahead of busy July schedule

Fort Erie's June meeting cycle wrapped up with several consequential items on council and committee agendas, though minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent sessions. That means proposed actions — including a cut to overnight parking fees and community funding allocations — cannot be confirmed as decided until minutes are released.

Regular Council — June 22

Council's agenda included a motion to reduce the monthly overnight parking pass fee at the Erie Road/Cambridge Road lot from $125 to $50, framed as support for local businesses in Crystal Beach. Because minutes are not yet available, the outcome of that vote is not confirmed.

The agenda also listed several by-laws for consideration:

• Closing and conveying Terry Drive, Long Street, Eisley Street, and John Bright Avenue to a developer.
• Official Plan and zoning amendments for 240 Jarvis Street (St. John's Stevensville United Church).
• Administrative penalties for swimming pool by-law violations.
• A public meeting set for July 6 on a zoning by-law amendment at 5289 Gilmore Road (White Brook Farms).

Community Gaming Development Corporation — June 24

The CGDC board was scheduled to review its May 2026 financial report and decide on several funding allocations:

• A $7,000 budget increase for the YMCA of Niagara.
• A $65,000 allocation for the I Can Therapeutic Equestrian Riding Association of Niagara.
• A $51,000 allocation for Parents for the Performing Arts.

Minutes are not yet published, so these allocations remain proposed.

Accessibility Advisory Committee — June 30

The committee reviewed survey responses and maintenance updates tied to the 2024–2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. Discussion items included the #RespectTheSpace awareness campaign for parking and sidewalks, a pedestrian crossing at Civic Square Ridgeway, parking concerns at the Stevensville Post Office, speed bumps and raised concrete following a June 19 site visit, and accessible portable washrooms at the Grove.

Community Health Care Services Committee — June 23

The agenda contained only procedural boilerplate with no specific discussion items or decisions listed.

Coming up

Council-in-Committee — Monday, July 6: Two zoning by-law amendments are on the agenda — 5289 Gilmore Road (White Brook Farms) and 2277 Ridgemount Road. Council will also consider a $25,170 loan to the Ridgeway Business Improvement Area, receive an update on the Six Mile Creek Flooding Project including 2027 design funding, and appoint Spriet Associates as drainage engineer for Miller Creek. A closed session is also scheduled.

Committee of Adjustment — Thursday, July 16: Public hearings on nine variance and consent applications, including a multi-parcel development on Elizabeth Road by Crystal Beach Estates (Files A34-26 to A37-26, B21/26, B22/26, B23/26) covering 17 properties, a minor variance for 210 Ridgeway Road for Essentials Cremation and Burial Services (File A38-26), a variance for 0-19770 Rebstock Road by Marz Homes (File A31-26), a variance for an unassigned parcel at 0-12333 Beach Avenue (File A15-26), and a consent for 252 Douglas Street (File B24/26).

Residents should note that all recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed until official minutes are published. The linked agendas are the authoritative source for what was scheduled.

Fort Erie council considers overnight parking fee cut, community grants

Fort Erie’s council and its committees are weighing changes that could affect parking costs, community funding and local infrastructure, according to agendas released in late June. Minutes for these meetings are not yet public, so recorded votes and final decisions remain unconfirmed. The most closely watched item is a proposed reduction in overnight parking fees at the Erie Road/Cambridge Road lot in Crystal Beach.

Proposed parking fee reduction

Council was scheduled on June 22 to vote on a motion that would cut the monthly overnight parking pass at the Erie/Cambridge lot from $125 to $50. The agenda described the move as a way to support local businesses. No further rationale or financial analysis was included in the published material.

Community funding allocations

The Community Gaming Development Corporation’s June 24 agenda includes three funding items: a $7,000 budget increase for the YMCA of Niagara, a $65,000 allocation for I Can Therapeutic Equestrian Riding Association of Niagara, and $51,000 for Parents for the Performing Arts. The board was also set to review its May 2026 financial report. Decisions on these allocations are not yet known.

Accessibility plan and site concerns

The Accessibility Advisory Committee met on June 30. Its agenda lists a review of survey responses and maintenance updates tied to the 2024–2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. Members were expected to discuss the #RespectTheSpace awareness campaign for parking and sidewalks, pedestrian crossing concerns at Civic Square Ridgeway, parking issues at the Stevensville Post Office, and feedback from a June 19 site visit regarding speed bumps and raised concrete. The committee also planned to talk about accessible portable washrooms at the Grove.

Other council business

At the June 22 regular meeting, council also had several other items on its agenda: a public meeting was scheduled for July 6 on a zoning by-law amendment at 5289 Gilmore Road (White Brook Farms); by-laws to close and convey Terry Drive, Long Street, Eisley Street and John Bright Avenue to a developer; official plan and zoning amendments for 240 Jarvis Street (St. John’s Stevensville United Church); and a by-law establishing administrative penalties for swimming pool by-law violations. The Community Health Care Services Committee met on June 23, but its agenda contained no substantive items.

Coming up

No regular committee or council meetings are listed in the next 14 days. However, a public meeting is scheduled for July 6 regarding a zoning by-law amendment at 5289 Gilmore Road (White Brook Farms). Residents can attend or follow the town’s website for posted minutes once they become available.