Development in Lincoln
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
- 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 information.
- 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.
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.