City Council News

2023 Year-End Community Benefits Reserve Fund

A Financial Management Services' report to Council indicated there have been no eligible developments between September 2022 and year-end 2023 that meet the requirements to collect Community Benefits Charges (CBCs).

CBCs applies to the construction or redevelopment of buildings with five or more storeys and 10 or more residential units. Eligible developments or redevelopments would be charged a community benefit charge rate of four per cent based on the land appraisal of the project.

Based on that, reserve fund balance at the end of 2023 is 0.

Municipalities can use CBCs to fund a wide range of new growth-related capital costs, if those costs are not already recovered from development charges, parkland provisions, grants, subsidies, or other contributions.

However, the City's CBC Strategy has identified sufficient planned developments meet the density requirements to implement such a charge and there is a sufficient portfolio of eligible capital projects within the 10-year planning horizon eligible for funding.

The CBC Strategy identified $13.60 million of capital projects that would provide a level of community benefit, with $5.41 million identified as being eligible to be funded by Community Benefits Charges.

Lakeside Park 24-hour Parking Limit enacted

A year-round 24-hour parking limit will soon take effect at Lakeside Park parking lot.

Patrons who park longer than 24 hours will face a $100 penalty following concerns about people parking overnight and days at a time.

Port Dalhousie Business Permits when properly displayed will be excluded from this parking by-law amendment.

The lot is the largest in the Port Dalhousie core area yet is at-capacity during peak recreational activities and holidays, the Financial Management Services' report indicated.

Staff expressed concern the rapid increase of multi-unit residential developments being built near the park could create potential for residents and visitors to use the parking lot for private parking needs.

Lakeside Park has a three-hour parking maximum, valid 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May to September.

Residential Beach Parking Permits are not exempt from the newly enacted 24-hour parking limit at Lakeside Park parking lot.

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Spotlight on St. Catharines

Key initiatives focus of tree management

Protecting and maintaining the tree canopy is of critical importance to residents of St. Catharines, Council, as well as City staff.

Community, Recreation and Culture Services, and Municipal Works work collaboratively with companies contracted to do the tree planting, as well as community partners to make sure there is an environment where newly planted trees can thrive. The survival rate for newly planted trees is 94 per cent.

New for 2024, the City is launching a coir mat program. The mats, made out of coconut fibres, assist with moisture retention and help protect the new trees.

There is also now a dedicated Urban Forestry Technician to inspect trees, providing consistency to all inspections for maintenance, plus any removals that are required.

In 2017, the City launched annual tree giveaways. Since then, the City has handed out approximately 7,000 trees, which works out to 1,000 each year. The next giveaway will happen on May 4.

The City will continue to work with community partners in an effort to meet the tree canopy target of 30 per cent, as 11 square kilometres of planting space is needed, the City has just over half that. According to the most recent report from the Region, the tree canopy in St. Catharines is currently at 22 per cent.

Environmental Stewardship is a pillar of the City’s Strategic Plan. In addition to protecting the tree canopy, the plan includes preparing the community for impacts from climate change, to be net zero emissions by 2050, as well as working towards an integrated multi-modal transportation network.

Council received an update about tree management initiatives at a special meeting on April 15.

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Recap: Stay Informed

City opens online Beach Parking Permit system for 2024 season

St. Catharines residents can now apply for their $15 beach parking permit for Lakeside Park Beach and Sunset Beach for the 2024 season.

Permits are valid from May 8 through Sept. 30.

Residential beach parking permits are offered this year through HotSpot parking.

Permit limits are two per household. Electronic permits are tied to residents' vehicle licence plates.

City seeks resident feedback on Municipal Development Corporation

The City wants to hear from St. Catharines residents on the development of a Municipal Development Corporation.

The separate entity fully owned by the City aims to harness surplus real estate assets for community benefit and support the City's housing development goals.

A public information session will be held on May 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the third-floor atrium at City Hall, 50 Church St.

Have your say on a Downtown Heritage Conservation District

The City is pursuing a Downtown Heritage Conservation District to help manage change in the downtown and ensure its character is maintained for future generations.

As part of the Study Phase, the City is gathering input in a short survey open until May 21. An open house has also been held to gather input from a range of stakeholders, including residents, downtown business operators and property owners.

Project consultant Stantec has created a GIS map of the potential Downtown Heritage Conservation District's proposed boundaries for feedback.

Garden City Golf Course now open for 2024 season

It’s time to clean off the clubs and head on over to the Garden City Golf Course. The course opened for the season on April 24.

Tee times until May 3 are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can book a time by calling 905.688.5601 ext. 1677. Off season rates are in effect until May 31 - $13 for 9 holes walking and $24.80 for 18 holes walking.

The course plays over 3,500 yards from the red tee blocks and over 2,900 from the yellow. It is located at 37 Lincoln Ave.

More information can be found at – stcatharines.ca/golf.