Council voted 9-2 in favour of the zoning bylaw amendments. Pictured: St. Catharines City Council. Photo Credit: City of St. Catharines.
The need to secure more affordable housing options is intensifying across Niagara municipalities as populations continue to grow and challenging economic conditions persist. St. Catharines, which is the largest city in the Niagara region, is one of the communities where housing shortages are being most acutely experienced. Therefore, the issue is receiving significant attention as both the higher-tier and lower-tier councils seek to alleviate this crisis.
Sixty-eight Church Street, in downtown St. Catharines, was the former home of the District 1 Niagara Regional Police Headquarters. The station was closed in 2021, and the facility, which is now sitting idle, has been considered as a possible location for the Niagara Region to redevelop as a part of its affordable housing initiatives. The property is 1.56 acres (0.63 hectares) in size.
This past Monday, however, the Region informed the St. Catharines City Council of its decision to not pursue this pathway because there is already a high level of Niagara Regional Housing in the respective community. It will instead sell the station site and dedicate the earned funds to advance housing projects throughout the Region.
The Region asked the St. Catharines Council for its approval of an official plan, as well as zoning bylaw amendments, which would increase the 68 Church St. densities to high from medium high, in order to permit the building of two mixed use buildings of 27 and 12 storeys, and a four-storey wing. Council voted 9-2 in support of these initiatives.
If a potential buyer decides to go ahead with these plans to construct a 305-unit conceptual design, which also includes 162 underground parking spaces, it will not require any further council approval. If the buyer were to favour building another kind of structure, however, it would need to present a new plan to Council.
Tami Kitay, St. Catharines Planning and Building Services Director, confirmed that a 2013 municipal zoning bylaw does not require parking spaces for structures being built in large locations in downtown vicinities. This means that the new owner would have a lot of discretion in determining how it will service the parking needs of residents.
Grantham Ward Councillor Dawn Dodge, however, is concerned that in light of numerous large scale development projects, if there is not enough parking, there could be a negative impact on the quality of life of those living in the affected areas. Dodge’s concerns were echoed by additional council members.
Angela Stea, Director of Corporate Strategy and Community Stability for the Niagara Region, said that this approach is consistent with the long-term objective of regional council to advance “housing as a priority lens,” and to reinvest land sale net proceeds to help facilitate housing projects.
Stea also explained that the Region pursued the up-zoning amendment in order to maximise “value for money” on the property. Stea additionally confirmed that Regional Council has accounted for the funds necessary to tear down the police station in its capital budget.
A pertinent next step is for the property to be designated as surplus by the Niagara Regional Council. This is a prerequisite condition to the location going on the market to private and public bidders.
Merritton Ward City Councillor Greg Miller and St. Patrick’s Ward City Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff have inquired about the possibility of the city pursuing ownership of the land. Miller said that his interest is rooted in concerns about a private owner purchasing the site and then not developing it to address housing shortages in a timely manner.
David Oakes, Niagara Region Chief Administrative Officer, said that this matter has not yet been a topic of discussion between council tiers because it is yet to be labelled a surplus location. He said that this process will provide an opportunity for the city to express interest if it so chooses.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
