Development in Lincoln

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Upcoming Open Houses and Public Meetings

4020 - 4064 Mountain Street, Losani Homes

  • Open House (In-Person) - Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers
  • Public Meeting (Hybrid) - Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers or online via Zoom

View Notice of Open House & Public Meeting

For further information, please see folder on right hand side of page.


The Planning Process – And 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.

So how does it work?

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

  • Planning Act – Planning in Ontario is governed by the provincial Planning Act. The Act sets out the steps that municipalities must follow during planning processes such as the requirement for public notice, and ensures municipalities make decisions that align with provincial policies such as environmental protection and the preservation of farmland.
  • Provincial legislation – The Provincial Policy Statement and the Greenbelt Act which identify where and how much development can occur throughout Ontario
  • Niagara Regional Official Plan – the blueprint for growth in all of Niagara region
  • Town of Lincoln Official Plan – conforms to the Regional official plan and provides choices and opportunities for housing, employment, transportation, social, recreational and cultural amenities
  • Zoning By-law - its purpose is to implement the Official Plan and applies to specific properties. It determines what kind of land uses are allowed, the building envelope/size and how they’re sited, and how such items as landscaped open space should be incorporated.

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 does development look like in Lincoln?

The Town of Lincoln embraces smart growth principles to achieve sustainable development. This means:

  • 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 and 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.

How can I get involved and learn about development in my neighbourhood?

  • Learn about upcoming projects that have an impact on our community and share your feedback here
  • Contact the Planning and Development Department
    1. If you receive a notice about a proposed development in your neighbourhood, contact or email the planner for more information.
    2. 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 information.
  • Attend public meetings
    1. 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.



Upcoming Open Houses and Public Meetings

4020 - 4064 Mountain Street, Losani Homes

  • Open House (In-Person) - Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers
  • Public Meeting (Hybrid) - Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers or online via Zoom

View Notice of Open House & Public Meeting

For further information, please see folder on right hand side of page.


The Planning Process – And 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.

So how does it work?

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

  • Planning Act – Planning in Ontario is governed by the provincial Planning Act. The Act sets out the steps that municipalities must follow during planning processes such as the requirement for public notice, and ensures municipalities make decisions that align with provincial policies such as environmental protection and the preservation of farmland.
  • Provincial legislation – The Provincial Policy Statement and the Greenbelt Act which identify where and how much development can occur throughout Ontario
  • Niagara Regional Official Plan – the blueprint for growth in all of Niagara region
  • Town of Lincoln Official Plan – conforms to the Regional official plan and provides choices and opportunities for housing, employment, transportation, social, recreational and cultural amenities
  • Zoning By-law - its purpose is to implement the Official Plan and applies to specific properties. It determines what kind of land uses are allowed, the building envelope/size and how they’re sited, and how such items as landscaped open space should be incorporated.

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 does development look like in Lincoln?

The Town of Lincoln embraces smart growth principles to achieve sustainable development. This means:

  • 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 and 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.

How can I get involved and learn about development in my neighbourhood?

  • Learn about upcoming projects that have an impact on our community and share your feedback here
  • Contact the Planning and Development Department
    1. If you receive a notice about a proposed development in your neighbourhood, contact or email the planner for more information.
    2. 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 information.
  • Attend public meetings
    1. 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.



Do you have any questions about development in Lincoln?

We hope this page offers some more information on how development occurs in Ontario, Niagara Region and Lincoln. If you have any further questions, or questions about specific developments, please send it here and we will do our best to reply within 2-3 business days. 

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    Is it possible to get up to date information on a property and the update progress/status?

    Jbukovac asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question. You may wish to contact the Planning & Development Department for any inquiries related to specific properties that are not posted on the Speak Up Lincoln page.

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    Regarding the expansion of Bartlett Rd. When will drawings be made available for residents to review?

    Beansville asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question. The first public meeting for this project is currently scheduled for March 2023. 

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    What sort of timeline is there for the development by the water in Lincoln? Is there a # or website that I can keep my eye on?

    Kim Robinson asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. For more information on this project, visit our engagement page at this link: https://speakuplincoln.ca/prudhommes-development

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    Official plan for Hixon St church property in Beamsville

    Judy w asked 7 months ago
    Thank you for your question. There has been no formal application received to date, but there was an approved severance on the lands. Conversations between staff and owners continue and there is no formal plan for the property to share at this time.


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    What are plans for Hi on St church property backing to Ashby Drive?

    Judy w asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question. To date, the Town has had a pre-consultation meeting with the existing church on Hixon Street. Based on the plans that were discussed at that meeting, the church will remain and an addition to it may be constructed in the future. The church would like to retain as much green space in the rear of the property as possible for church events.  

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    Can you please provide an update on the recent LJM OLT mediation for 3221 North Service Road

    DBJ asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your inquiry.  Once an application has been appealed to the OLT, the municipality no longer has decision making on the application. The application is subject to the OLT hearing process.  Please refer to the OLT’s website for updates on the case status: https://olt.gov.on.ca/

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    Proposed 3221 North Service Rd motion was denied on May 24. Supposing that LJM do not make changes that satisfy council, and are denied again, at which point can LJM go to the next step to advocate for this density and height vision for the building? What would that next step look like if councilors and developers cannot come to an agreement? And at that point, would the city lose control of the outcome?

    CS asked 10 months ago

    Thank you for your questions.  The motion at the May 24th Committee of the Whole Meeting was lost with respect to the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment application at 3221 North Service Road.  This decision was approved by Council at the May 30th Council Meeting.  The Town has since issued a written notice of this refusal on June 3rd, 2022, as required by the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended.  The Planning Act permits a person that requested an amendment to the Zoning By-law to appeal a refusal of the requested amendment to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) by filing a notice of appeal with the Town Clerk.  This must be done within 20 days of the Notice of Refusal (i.e. by June 23rd, 2022).  It is within this time period that the applicant may appeal Council’s decision to the OLT.  

    If a notice of appeal is not received, then the decision of Council is final.  Alternatively, if an appeal is made, then the municipality no longer has decision making authority as it is in the OLT’s hands to approve, change or refuse the amendment. The OLT may bring the parties and other interested persons together to discuss opportunities for mediation or settlement prior to a hearing.  This may result in a decision to turn down the application, approve it as is, or potentially approve an even more dense built form. The decision now falls with the Province’s OLT committee. 

     If you would like more information, please feel free to contact Melissa Shih, Manager of Special Projects, Planning Department at ext. 250 or mshih@lincoln.ca

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    What is the plan for the land behind/near/beside Calvary Gospel on Hixon Road?

    Bridget asked 11 months ago

    A pre-consultation meeting was held early last year to discuss the potential for a low to medium-density housing unit development. To date, no formal planning applications have been submitted.

    Under the existing Official Plan, the open area of the 4129 Hixon Street property is subject to the Low and Medium Density Residential policies, which allows for the construction of single, semi-detached, and townhouse dwellings.  The image below shows the OP policies:

    .

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    Where are the diagrams of the elevation/trail/culvert that were displayed at the Public meeting april 27. The April 2022 concept is there.

    David JENNINGS asked 11 months ago

    Good morning,

    Thank you for connecting with us - the display boards have been updated on the Prudhommes Development Site webpage on SpeakUpLincoln.

    Have a great day!

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    The proposed 3221 North Service Rd development is still under review, but have there been meetings reviewing this or is it at a stand still? How long does the city get to make a decision? When will one be posted?

    CS asked 11 months ago

    Thank you for your inquiry. 

    The Zoning By-law Amendment application at 3221 North Service Road will be considered at the May 24th, 2022, Committee of the Whole Meeting at 6:00 pm electronically.  The applicant has revised their concept plan, which will be made available at the Town’s website: speakuplincoln.ca/development-in-lincoln

    A staff report regarding the application will be available on the website: www.lincoln.ca or from the Planning and Development Department before the meeting date.

    If you wish to appear as an electronic delegation regarding this application, delegation requests are accepted until 12 p.m. on the Friday before the meeting. To appear as a delegation, you must submit a registration request online or contact the Clerk’s department by email at clerks@lincoln.ca or by calling 905-563-2799 Ext 513.

Page last updated: 23 Mar 2023, 07:44 AM