Residents balking at huge condo project in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Area residents are balking at a proposed four-tower condo complex being proposed near the Glendale exit at the QEW in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The developer, White Oaks Tennis World Inc., made its first pitch during a Sept. 19 virtual open house meeting with architect Michael Rietta, explaining that the development would see four towers of 17, 18, 21, and 25 storeys each.

Slowly but steadily, area residents are complaining that the four massive towers would change the entire look and character of the area.

A resident’s petition, created by Lianne Gagnon on Oct. 8, has collected about 240 signatures so far. It can be found here.

“As residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, we are deeply concerned about the proposal to increase building heights on their property,” said Gagnon.

“The impact of high rises would be detrimental to our community as a whole. Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its charming, small-town feel and picturesque landscapes – attributes that draw tourists from all over the world and contribute significantly to our local economy.”

She further warns that the proposal “could set a dangerous precedent for future developments. We want to grow, but we wish to do so while still retaining the historical characteristics and architectural elements that make NOTL special.”

While the town’s historic and picturesque downtown is generally considered off-limits to new development – particularly one of this size – its Glendale Secondary Plan does allow for a build with this kind of magnitude.

The towers would be in an area that already includes Niagara College, The Outlet Collection at Niagara, the St. Catharines Husky Travel Centre, and several other commercial centres built for high-intensity population.

While the current 14.5-acre lot is mostly undeveloped, it is zoned “village commercial” and the developer would need the Town to change that to “mixed-use, high-density,” something the Glendale Secondary Plan allows.

The condos within the complex would range in size from 605 square feet – the size of the average one-bedroom apartment – to 1,200 square feet, the size of the average three-bedroom.