Committee of Adjustment to hear variance request for 2 Forestwood Drive on Nov. 12

A request to relax several zoning setback rules for a residential property at 2 Forestwood Drive will go before St. Catharines' Committee of Adjustment next month, and residents have a chance to comment before it does.

According to a City of St. Catharines notice, the application — filed by 17912170 Canada Corp and numbered A-54/26 — will be heard on November 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, located at 50 Church Street. Attendees are asked to use the James Street entrance.

The application seeks four variances from the City's Zoning By-law 2013-283, as amended.

The first would reduce the minimum front yard setback to the dwelling from 3.0 metres to 1.9 metres. The second would reduce the minimum exterior side yard setback to the dwelling from 3.0 metres to 2.4 metres.

The remaining two variances concern platform structures taller than 1.2 metres. The application asks to reduce the required setback from the front lot line from 3.0 metres to 1.5 metres, and to reduce the minimum setback from the exterior lot line from 3.0 metres to 1.5 metres.

Residents who want to comment must submit written comments to the Secretary-Treasurer by 12 p.m. on November 6, 2026, or appear in person to make a verbal presentation to the committee.

The city cautions that submissions become part of the public record and will be made available to the public, including posting on the City's website. Personal contact information — telephone numbers, email addresses, house numbers and signatures — will be redacted for online posting.

Anyone considering an appeal should note that the Ontario Land Tribunal may dismiss an appeal if no written or verbal submissions were made at the hearing before the committee grants or refuses approval. Under the More Homes Built Faster Act, appeals may be submitted by the applicant, the Minister, or a specified person or public body with an interest in the matter.

The hearing will be live-streamed on the City of St. Catharines' YouTube account for those who cannot attend in person.

Questions, comments and requests for a copy of the Notice of Decision can be directed to Elaine Munro, Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment, at City Hall, P.O. Box 3012, 50 Church Street, St. Catharines, by email at CitizensFirst@stcatharines.ca or by phone at 905-688-5600.