Pelham council has cancelled a project that would have buried hydro lines along Highway 20 in Fonthill, leaving the existing overhead wires in place between the Sobeys plaza and Rice Road.
The decision came after a presentation from Rocco Vacca on behalf of Fonthill Gardens at council's March 25 regular meeting, according to a Town of Pelham news release. Council received a staff report on converting overhead to underground hydro lines, then directed staff to cancel the utility relocation project and return the securities held by the Town to the developer, Fonthill Gardens Inc. — estimated at $500,000.
The release notes the benefits of burying the utilities will not be realized under this option.
Housing, parking and heritage decisions
Council also moved ahead with a zoning amendment covering additional residential units. Staff were directed to prepare a by-law for council's consideration that would apply to lands permitting single detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings in the settlement area, as well as single detached dwellings in agricultural, rural residential and specialty agriculture zones outside the Greenbelt Natural Heritage System.
Lands in the Niagara Escarpment Development Permit Control Area and those subject to appeals before the Ontario Land Tribunal are exempt. The release says the units are meant to help the Town meet provincial housing targets and support aging in place, multi-family households and different ownership models.
In other business, council approved an updated Schedule "A" to the Town's administrative penalty process by-law for traffic and parking matters, and gave approval in principle to an amending by-law. It also authorized a licence agreement with the Pelham Historical Society, giving the group exclusive use of office space at Old Pelham Town Hall for meetings and storage, but not public events. The Society will work with the Town on historic displays in municipal buildings.
Water rates now in effect
New water user fees approved by council took effect April 1. The release says the fees keep water-related services in line with what similar-sized municipalities charge.
Council awarded two consulting contracts to GEI Consultants Inc. — $42,780, plus taxes, for Part A of the 2026 water model update, due in May, which includes calibrating a new pressure-reducing valve and integrating Pelham's system into the Niagara Region model; and $39,273, plus taxes, for an asset management plan update. An additional $19,273 for the asset management work will come from the Roads Reserves.
The Town has also proclaimed March as Scammer Awareness Month. The release says fraud continues to cause emotional distress and financial loss for individuals, families, seniors and businesses, and points Niagara residents to Niagara Regional Police's online fraud reporting page.
