Niagara Region councillors split over $1M waiver for hotel's underground parking, fearing precedent and tax hikes.

A proposal to waive nearly $1 million in development charges for an underground parking level at a Niagara-on-the-Lake hotel project has divided Niagara Region councillors. The project, by Two Sisters Resorts Corp., includes a 43-space garage required to limit surface parking. The town seeks a waiver, arguing underground parking doesn’t generate new infrastructure needs, but regional staff warn a one-time exception could set a precedent, risking legal challenges and higher property taxes to cover lost revenue. The corporate services committee voted to override staff, sending the decision to full council. Changes to development charge policies are not possible until the next provincial review in 2026.