Fact Check Lincoln

Fiction: The Niagara Benchlands brand is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the Town of Lincoln.

Fact: The Niagara Benchlands IS the Town of Lincoln. The Benchlands and Lincoln brand identity are interchangeable. The Niagara Benchlands brand was created to enhance Lincoln's identity as a unique tourism destination, helping to foster a community with a strong, competitive identity that is an attractor for talent, businesses and visitors. In addition, the brand helps to support local businesses with an authentic tourism brand and support.

Fiction: Property taxes are determined by the Town of Lincoln.

Fact: Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property determined by the Provincial Government’s Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and the municipal tax rate. The municipal tax rate is comprised of three agencies; the Town of Lincoln, Niagara Region, and education services. In addition to the Town of Lincoln's portion of the tax bill, property taxes pay for the delivery of community programs and services by Niagara Region (including waste) and the school boards. The impact to property taxes is a combination of these three agencies, but Lincoln only controls approximately 1/3 of your tax bill. 

Fiction: The Fire Department is staffed by full-time firefighters in the Town of Lincoln.

Fact: The Fire Department in the Town of Lincoln is not run on a full-time staffing model. The Fire Department is based on a volunteer model, meaning stations are not staffed 24/7, however, when an emergency occurs that requires a response from our firefighters, staff are called in to deal with the issue at hand.

Fiction: The Town of Lincoln is responsible for residential waste collection.

Fact: Niagara Region is responsible for residential waste collection in the Town of Lincoln. For full details about recycling, garbage, hazardous waste, large item pick-up and organic collection please visit Niagara Region. 

Please note that as of January 1, 2024, replacement blue boxes will NO LONGER be available at Lincoln Town Hall or at other municipal facilities in Niagara region.

Starting in the new year, if residents have recycling program questions or require new or replacement Blue or Grey Boxes, they will need to contact the collection contractor for their area:

• GFL Environmental Inc. – Grimsby, Lincoln, Pelham, Thorold, Wainfleet, West Lincoln: 1-855-769-3760 or niagararecycling@gflenv.com

For information about what is accepted in the Blue and Grey Box, residents can visit Circular Materials’ website. Niagara Region will also continue to promote program information on the Region’s Waste App.

Fiction: Higher-density developments create more regional traffic congestion and parking problems than low-density developments.

Fact:

Less traffic is generated per unit with higher-density development than low-density development, for the following reasons:

• Walking is more feasible, as these developments are typically located within areas with amenities (parks, public facilities, shopping, services,) within walking distance.
• Public transit is also more feasible. With more people within a smaller footprint, this leads to increases in ridership, creating a greater return on investment for this service.
• Opportunities for shared parking are created within these developments.

Fiction: Official Plans and Zoning By-laws are static regulatory documents that cannot be changed or refined once they've been updated recently.

Fact: Local planning policies must conform to Provincial planning policies, which are constantly updated to reflect evolving conditions. This has been especially apparent in the past one to three years, as upper levels of government have prioritized goals related to providing more housing. As such, municipalities can consider amending even the most recently adopted Official Plans and Zoning By-laws.

There are also site-specific circumstances where amending the OFficial Plan or Zoning By-laws is necessary and warranted. These amendments can apply to the Town as a whole not just specific sites. Private property owners have the right to request consideration for amendments pertaining to their properties, which are then evaluated in accordance with the latest Provincial and local land use policies.

Our Official Plan Review is also currently underway. Visit our Shape LIncoln 2051 page to take the survey and learn more.

Fiction: Council and Staff do not consider public input when forming a recommendation on a development application.

Fact: We consider all input received from all stakeholders and residents when considering a development application and forming a recommendation. Public input is important in helping us refine concepts and forming a recommendation on a proposed development.

Through public input, several modifications to the original application can occur, including: location of amenities, entrance configuration and landscape considerations.