Land-use decisions made today will shape the future of the Niagara Escarpment for generations to come. The Escarpment Corridor Alliance is urging the Municipality of Grey Highlands to strengthen its draft zoning by-law to fully align with the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP), which must take precedence in all planning decisions within the Escarpment area.
Why This Matters
The Niagara Escarpment is one of Ontario’s most significant natural features, home to diverse ecosystems, vital water resources, and landscapes that define the character of our region. Protecting it requires clear, consistent planning tools that align with existing environmental policies. One of the most important of these is the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP), which provides the framework for land use across the Escarpment. Ensuring that municipal zoning by-laws fully align with the NEP is essential to safeguarding this landscape.
Our Recommendations
We recently submitted comments to the Municipality of Grey Highlands on the draft zoning by-law, with a focus on strengthening clarity, accuracy, and environmental protection. At a high level, our recommendations aim to:
- Ensure alignment with the Niagara Escarpment Plan: Where zoning overlaps with the Escarpment Plan area, the NEP must guide decisions. Clear language in the by-law will help avoid confusion and ensure consistent application.
- Clarify the intent of Recreation (REC) zoning: Recreation zoning was originally intended to support specific, Escarpment-related uses, such as ski hills, where a primary recreational use is in place. Without clear direction, there is a risk that this zoning could be misinterpreted and applied more broadly than intended.
- Improve mapping to reflect current conditions: Accurate mapping is critical. In some areas, particularly around the former Talisman Resort lands, current ecological features like wetlands, watercourses, and agricultural lands are not fully reflected. Updating this information helps ensure that sensitive areas are properly protected.
- Protect water and agricultural resources: Parts of the Escarpment landscape include vulnerable geological features and important agricultural lands. Careful zoning is needed to avoid potential impacts on water quality and to preserve farmland that is increasingly under pressure.
The former Talisman Resort area highlights why getting zoning right matters. While once used for recreation, the landscape is now better understood for its ecological value, including wetlands and other natural features not fully reflected in current mapping. With nearby lands being restored and conserved, there is an opportunity to align zoning with today’s reality, supporting conservation, protecting water resources, and recognizing surrounding agricultural lands.
We’re encouraged to see the inclusion of natural heritage linkages in the by-law update. These connections are essential for a resilient, connected Escarpment, allowing wildlife to move freely across the landscape.
Zoning by-laws may seem technical, but they play a critical role in shaping the landscapes we all depend on. With thoughtful updates and strong alignment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan, Grey Highlands has an opportunity to demonstrate real leadership in environmental stewardship. Read the full letter HERE.
We encourage you to register for the Public Meeting on Monday, April 27 at 5pm. To register, click HERE.
For more information about The Zone Grey Highlands project, visit: https://connectgreyhighlands.ca/zone-grey-highlands
