By Doug Draper
Fort Erie Mayor Doug Martin calls it a “win-win” for the town and the residents of Fort Erie’s Crystal Beach area.
This image was produced by Crystal Beach area residents as an expression of their concern of what might happen to this historic cottage community if Fort Erie's council passes a plan for a condo tower in the community. Fort Erie's mayor, Doug Martin, insists the plan is a 'win-win' for everyone.
Many residents in Crystal Beach insist it will destroy the character of a quaint little lakeshore community that has a good deal of historical significance attached to it. A history that goes back to the time when it was a summer haven for the better half the last hundred year for residents in Southern Ontario and Western New York, when the grand old amusement park of Crystal Beach was still – up to more than decade ago before it closed – sending visitors on some of the best roller coaster rides in North America.
Many residents also argue that it will diminish access to one of the last remaining beaches along Lakes Ontario in Niagara – the popular Bay Beach are that the Town of Fort Erie purchased at a cost of slightly more than $2 million in 2001.
The “it” this commentary is referring to is a controversial proposal by the Molinaro Goup – a consortium of developers from the greater Toronto area – to build a 12-story condo tower on property in front of the beach, breaching a height restriction now on the bylaw books for the age-old cottage community of Crystal Beach of two-and-a-half storeys. And it is a conflict that may very well reach a crescendo this coming Monday, March 1, when Fort Erie’s council votes on matters that could make the first high-rise condo tower in Crystal Beach a reality – setting a precedent for possibly many more high-rise condos along the shores of Lake Erie to come. Martin believes this new development will make Bay Beach even more accessible to the public and may even make more beaches along the lakeshore open for public use.
“The entire (Bay Beach) will be open to the public,” the mayor stressed, adding that he can’t understand whom others believe the beach will become less inviting to the general public than it has since the town purchased it.
“There is overwhelming opposition to the Bay Beach project,” insists Marcia Carlyn, a Crystal Beach resident in a recent call for fellow residents to attend the March 1 meeting of Fort Erie’s town council at 6 p.m. and express their views.
“All interested parties may participate (Canadian and U.S. citizens, children, community groups, etc),” said Carlyn in a mass email to area residents and others. “Feel free to tell the council whatever you want about the zoning changes, the high-rise condo, potential problems, better ways to enhance Bay Beach, etc. You can give a short statement or speak longer (up to 5 minutes). If you’d like to speak at the meeting, call the Town Clerk (905-871-1600) or send her an email before 3 pm on Monday (March 1) mailto:ckett@town.forterie.on.ca,carlyn@erols.com .
The mayor says he’s convince the plan for the Bay Beach area of Crystal Beach is ultimately in the best interest of everyone, including the local residents and town. He knows he is in a hot seat on this one and that remains to be seen.
(click on http://www.niagaraatlarge.com at Niagara At Large for more news and commentary on this and other items of interest and concern to those of us living and working in communities across our greater binational Niagara region.)
Niagara At Large 
It is so important that the people who are against this development register to speak on Monday. As it stands now, there are about the same number speaking for and against. This does not reflect the reality of the numbers. A large majority of the people are against this project and council needs to see this. Please consider speaking, even if you are not comfortable with speaking in public.
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