Town defers municipal accommodation tax after approving in principle

Niagara-on-the-Lake council has deferred making a decision regarding a municipal accommodation tax after hearing several presentations from various tourism and accommodation industry leaders who were against charging town visitors a hotel tax of four per cent. The presenters questioned why the Town would approve the tax if the industry representatives were in opposition and urged not to approve the levy. Last week, town councillors approved levying the tax in principle.

Council approves bylaw allowing staff to inspect designated properties

Council has approved a bylaw which would allow town staff, municipal heritage committee members, an appointed town historian or consultants working for the Town to inspect and visit a designated or proposed to be designated property under the Ontario Heritage Act. The site visits are necessary for a variety of reasons including an inspection for a heritage permit application or ensuring that work has been completed as required by the Act, town staff reported. A property owner’s permission will not be required under the Act to do such visits.

Phragmites top of mind at rural municipality conference

Town staff has participated in the 2020 Rural Ontario Municipality Association Conference which took place from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21 in Toronto. Staff took part in a delegation regarding phragmites, the use of chemical products and the high costs when dealing with the invasive species. According to the press release, town staff will work with Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on how to get rid of phragmites.

NOTL resident joins regional board to select design award winners

NOTL resident Gordon Stratford has joined a jury panel comprised of notable urban designers, architects and visual artists from across Niagara and the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area who will select winning projects at the Niagara Biennial Design Awards. Other jurors are Ken Greenberg, Linda Irvine, Amy Friend and Lois Weinthal. The award categories include architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, interior design, outdoor art and student design projects. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Friday, Jan. 24.