News

Online open house underway for short-term rental Zoning By-law amendment

As the City continues efforts to address the impacts of short-term rentals on the community, staff are looking to the public for their input.

An online open house is underway, running until Oct. 16, providing the public with a breakdown of proposed amendments to the City’s Zoning By-law related to short-term rentals (STRs). Several concerns related to such property uses were identified in previous public consultation on the topic in late 2019.

On Feb. 24, 2020 City Council directed staff to begin the...

Significant Funding Approved for Playground Accessibility

St. Catharines City Council has approved a recommendation to match funding from the Rotary Club of St. Catharines to the tune of $95,000, towards making Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm playground the most accessible in St. Catharines.

Nestled along the shore of Lake Ontario, Happy Rolph's Animal Farm is a well-loved spot for locals with its farm animal viewing area, duck and geese ponds, playground, picnic area and pavilion, nature trails, accessible parking, and accessible washrooms, which were...

Residents have their say on City Land Use Plan

Residents of St. Catharines can have their say on the latest recommendations and draft changes to the City’s Official Land Use Plan.

Triggered by the potential redevelopment of 50 acres of industrial land located on Ontario Street in the middle of the city, Council directed the City’s Planning and Building Services department to study the potential conversion of industrial lands to allow for alternative uses, such as residential and mixed use purposes.

 This conversion, or re-designation, of industrial...

City to undertake broad consultation on relocation of Pte. Alexander Watson statue

The City will take a broad, consultative approach, in determining the details of relocation for a monument that has stood in front of City Hall for over 134 years.

On Monday evening City Council voted unanimously to consult several organizations in the development of a relocation plan for the statue of Pte. Alexander Watson that currently stands in front of City Hall.

As a militia volunteer Watson died in 1885 from wounds sustained during the Battle of Batoche. He was one of 8,000 soldiers sent...

Significant transit investment on the way to St. Catharines and Niagara

Millions of dollars will pour into the City’s transit infrastructure in the years ahead, flowing from Federal, Provincial and municipal streams.

On Thursday morning, politicians from across Niagara gathered virtually to announce investments totalling more than $78 million dollars into 31 public transit projects across the region. Eleven of those projects, representing an investment of more than $41.2 million, will be directed to transit in St. Catharines.

More than $16.5 million Federal; $13.7 million...