The Planning Process & Why It Matters

Communities need to plan for the future. In Ontario communities, new developments undergo an extensive process well before shovels hit the ground. In a growing community like Lincoln, it may seem that development happens quickly.

In reality, there is much planning, consideration and opportunity for public engagement that are important aspects of the planning process. The process can often be years in the making and takes many factors into account – some within the Town’s control and some determined by legislation at higher levels of government.

Through various documents and bylaws, planning provides a framework for:

• smart development that meets the demands of our growing community;
• appropriate locations for buildings and structures like homes, shops, parks, offices, and industrial buildings;
• a network of infrastructure, including roads, water mains, sewers, and transit.

Successful planning protects the environment, supports economic growth, conserves cultural heritage and contributes to a unique sense of place.

Understanding Development in Lincoln

How it Works

Potential development applications to redevelop sites in Lincoln are subject to local, regional and Provincial policies. These include:

• Planning Act: This Ontario legislation governs planning processes, requiring public notice and alignment with provincial policies like environmental protection and farmland preservation.
• Provincial Legislation: The Provincial Policy Statement and the Greenbelt Act establish where and how much development can occur across Ontario.
• Niagara Regional Official Plan: This blueprint guides growth throughout the Niagara region.
• Town of Lincoln Official Plan: Aligned with the Regional Plan, it provides a framework for housing, employment, transportation, recreation, and cultural amenities.
• Zoning By-law: This by-law implements the Official Plan at the property level, regulating land use, building size, placement, and landscaped open spaces.

Applications go through a public process to ensure community feedback is taken into consideration and compatibility with the community is evaluated for each potential development. In most cases, upon the Town’s receipt of a planning application, nearby residents will receive notification, as per the Planning Act.

What it Looks Like

The Town of Lincoln prioritizes smart growth principles for sustainable development by:

• Creating vibrant urban centres;
• Sustaining a strong economy;
• Ensuring a healthy environment;
• Combatting urban sprawl through infill and higher density development;
• Improving the quality of life for residents – to provide better access to transit, better public realm amenities in the neighbourhood, and supporting growth through new or renewed infrastructure

The Role of the Planning & Development Department

The Planning and Development Department is responsible for reviewing and providing a recommendation to Council regarding development applications. All applications require a process of review and decisions but not all applications require the same steps.

The step-by-step process for consent and minor variances and zoning by-law amendments (at right) are examples where an application requires a public process to come to a Committee and/or Council decision. For example, a pool application may not require a public meeting, and in some cases, the approval authority has been delegated by Council to staff.

Get Involved

Learn about upcoming projects that have an impact on our community and share your feedback here!

• Contact the Planning and Development Department
  • If you receive a notice about a proposed development in your neighbourhood, contact or email the planner for more information.
  • If you see a development proposal sign in your neighbourhood, make note of the telephone number, file number and address of the property for more informaion.
• Attend Public Meetings
  • Individuals can register to speak at the Committee of Adjustment meetings and have 10 minutes to present your thoughts and concerns about a development.

Planning affects everyone. It determines where you will live, shop, gather, work or go to school. For example, changes made to the Town’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw can impact the height and density of new development. Design guidelines can impact the architecture and design elements you see on buildings and structures.

Because planning impacts what we see and the types of spaces we enjoy in our community, the planning process provides opportunities for public input. Under the Planning Act of Ontario, municipalities are required to notify the public, hold public meetings and request input on important planning decisions.