Are you interested in participating and sharing your opinion on how you would like to see the former Ministry of Transportation and Greater Niagara General Hospital (MTO/GNGH) lands re-develop?
The City of Niagara Falls is initiating the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan for the MTO/GNGH lands. The Neighbourhood Plan program will undergo a planning and approval process similar to a Secondary Plan, however it will focus on a much smaller site within the existing built-up urban area.
The Neighbourhood Plan will allow the City to undertake a detailed review of how best to accommodate a mix of land uses with priorities such as infrastructure investment, housing and economic growth while ensuring land use compatibility, long term sustainability and healthy neighbourhoods.
The key map shows the location of the MTO/GNGH Neighbourhood Plan Study Area.
The City is looking for 10 to 12 people to participate in an MTO/GNGH Neighbourhood Plan Community Focus Group (CFG). Focus Group members should be open-minded and receptive to discussing a variety of different views and opinions.
Members will participate in a strategic planning exercise, providing input and opinions related to development options, resulting in the most appropriate community land use arrangement that supports the complete community concept.
Community Focus Group members will be asked to participate in approximately 2 or 3 in-person meetings of two hours each over the course of the planning exercise. Meeting dates will be determined at a later date.
The City aims for a balanced Focus Group with a cross section from the community in the following categories:
- Long time residents from immediate area
- New residents from immediate area
- Property owners within the Plan Area (Note – a property owner representative may be considered; however, it is preferred an owner be the participant)
- Business owners
- Residents at-large
- Community Organization Representatives
- Seniors representative from the area
- Youth representative from the area
Submissions should be received no later than April 18, 2025, and must include:
- Your name, address, phone number and/or email
- Which category you consider yourself to represent
- A brief description of your background, specific interest, or experience with this Plan area, and/or any other involvement within the Niagara Falls community (please identify if you are a member of any community groups or associations active in Niagara Falls)
Substitutions for attendance at meetings will not be permitted. View the Terms of Reference for the Community Focus Group.
If you are interested in participating on the MTO/GNGH Community Focus Group, please submit your letter to:
Chris Millar, Senior Project Manager – Secondary Plans
4343 Morrison Street,
Niagara Falls, ON
L2E 6Z9
OR
e-mail: cmillar@niagarafalls.ca
Should the number of interested persons within a representative group (as noted above) exceed the intended balance of the Community Focus Group, participants will be selected based on having a balanced cross-section of the community. Should interested persons in the same category be equal in qualification, selection will be based on the date of submission subsequent to the release of this notice.
The names of those submitting their expression of interest and those selected to participate will become part of public record and may be published in relation to this planning exercise.
Not Interested in Being Part of the Focus Group but Still Want to Voice Your Opinion?
For those not selected or not interested in participating in the Community Focus Group, there will be a variety of opportunities to offer feedback throughout the neighbourhood plan process, including Public Open Houses, written submissions, and online engagement on the Let’s Talk Niagara Falls MTO/GNGH Neighbourhood Plan pageMTO/GNGH Neighbourhood Plan page.
