I feel like Niagara-on-the-Lake has something to model to Niagara Falls. I don't mean the rigid historicity of its core, nor its comparatively low density; but rather, a clear sense of what draws people to its downtown area; and what local residents appreciate about same.
Niagara Falls can be more open to significant size, and more open to modern architecture, while showing a greater amount of deference to cohesive architectural expression and planning (including massing, podium quality, and grade use/expression) that furthers what makes it a good place to live; and a quality tourist destination.
Some of that would be challenging to regulate; though simply incentivizing desirable choices by making them as-of-right, and reducing fees and approval times would go some distance in that direction.
Creating a design-review-panel may make sense.
Given the relatively (by Golden Horseshoe standards) low cost of much land in this area; perhaps more public ownership of key sites should also be considered in order to make appropriate development a condition of sale or lease.
There is also a need to plan for an LRT transit line in Niagara, and make sure one understands what a desirable streetscape and development pattern supporting that would look like.......as well as add some strategic lands
for parks, for moving parking further away from The Falls and placing it underground where possible, and achieving specific gains in cycling safety, retail that supports year-round residents, off-season vitality.
www.chch.com
