Council Debated Downtown Development, Parking Policy, and Brock University's Regional Role

Council debated a downtown development application tied to Bylaws 2627 and 2628, with discussion centred on parking, whether the proposal should be treated as a new application, and the addition of affordable housing units. A motion to defer the bylaws for more review was defeated, and council proceeded with the matter. Council also heard a presentation from Brock University, approved public delegations on the planning item, and passed a right-of-way bylaw and related penalty bylaw.

Topics Discussed

1. Downtown development at Mountain and Elm streets

Council considered amendments connected to 13 Mountain Street, 19-21 Elm Street, and 23 Elm Street. The proposal would expand an already approved seven-storey development from 120 to 150 units, including 15 affordable units. A key issue was whether adding 23 Elm Street should be treated as an extension of the approved project or as a new application.

Councillor Sharwa said 23 Elm Street was "more appropriately considered for municipal parking or related downtown public purposes than for incorporation into the principal development envelope." Another councillor argued, "This is a completely new application. So, um, I'd like to see it be dealt with as a brand new application because it is."

Others supported moving ahead. Councillor Canchi said, "seven stories and 120 units is already approved," and called the additional 15 residential and 15 affordable units "a desperate need in our community."

2. Parking methodology and cash-in-lieu

Parking was the central issue raised by delegates and several councillors. Councillor DeFlavio moved to defer the bylaws "to allow more time to review staff's detailed responses on parking, cash and loo and underlying parking methodology." He also said, "I don't believe in the word precedent, but I think that when we say $25,000 for a parking spot, that's a pretty clear number that we're establishing as a precedent."

Councillors also questioned whether council should rely on a cash-in-lieu figure before the municipality completes its broader parking work. One councillor said, "I'm not comfortable with the parking policy. That's why I'm going to vote against it. Uh the strategic parking management study is still ongoing."

Councillor Sharwa said reduced parking would still affect downtown supply even in a walkable area, arguing that residents may still own cars and occupy spaces long-term.

3. Public delegations on planning and development

Council approved three delegations to speak on the development item: Kevin Lecher Heisen, Harley Valentine, and Anne Tersk, with five minutes each and a requirement to provide new information.

Kevin Lecher Heisen urged council to consider whether "the necessary planning framework, heritage protection, parking strategy, and broader public interest safeguards are truly in place before irreversible precedents are established."

Anne Tersk challenged the planning rationale directly, asking: "Since when is less than the legal bylaw requirement considered acceptable planning? And where do we draw the line?" She warned that approving below-standard requirements could normalize weaker expectations for infrastructure and services.

4. Brock University strategic plan update

Council received a presentation on Brock University's strategic plan and regional role. Brock representatives said the university contributes about $1.5 billion to Niagara's economy. One presenter said, "Brock contributes approximately $1.5 billion dollar to Niagara's economy. And if we go out to all of Ontario, we double that."

The presentation also described Brock's partnerships with municipalities and community organizations. A speaker said, "Brock was created to serve Niagara. We collaborate with municipalities like Grimsby because it remains central to who we are and how we work." Another added, "Transforming people and reimagining the future is what Brock does here in Niagara."

5. Right-of-way and administrative penalty bylaws

Council passed a new Right of Way Bylaw and an amendment to the Administrative Monetary Penalty System bylaw. During discussion, a councillor asked whether the bylaw covered "various obstructions like uh hockey nets on the road and uh uh basketball nets." Staff indicated the rules would apply to those kinds of items placed in the right-of-way.

Staff said enforcement would begin with education and compliance directions, with immediate removal reserved for public safety hazards.

Motions

• Motion to defer Bylaws 2627 and 2628 to the next council meeting — Defeated
• Approval of three public delegations on the planning/development item — Passed
• Bylaw 2630 / 26-30: Right of Way Bylaw — Passed
• Bylaw 2631 / 26-31: Amendment to Administrative Monetary Penalty System Bylaw — Passed
• Proclamation: Menstrual Health Day (May 28, 2026) — Passed
• Proclamation: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day (May 14, 2026) — Passed
• Bylaws 2627 and 2628 — Council proceeded to consider them after the deferral motion failed; the final vote result is not clearly stated in the provided material

Attendees

The provided notes identify the following council members as present or participating: - Mayor Jeff Jordan - Councillor DeFlavio - Councillor Shaw - Councillor Costi - Councillor Frank - Councillor Devoli - Councillor How - Councillor Canchi - Councillor Sharwa