A new citizens group is welcome to comment on any development in Niagara Falls, but council was not willing to recognize the organization as a committee the city would work closely with in the future.

During Tuesday evening's meeting, Dianne Munro addressed council on behalf of Citizens for Responsible Development, made up of about 20 residents going through the process of becoming an incorporated advocacy group.

"We don't want to be an adversarial group, but we do want to be one that informs council and can bring to council's attention difficulties that the community has with proposed projects," said Munro.

She said a partnership between the group and city council could help avoid developments from becoming controversial, such as Thundering Waters and River Road.

Riverfront — the 193.6-hectare residential, tourist and commercial development known informally as Thundering Waters — is planned for land south of Oldfield Road between Dorchester Road and an area west of Stanley Avenue.

Many residents are concerned about what the development could mean for the vast natural heritage features on the site.

Meanwhile, many residents in the neighourhood just north of the Rainbow Bridge, are opposed to plans to build a 21-storey condominium tower and also a second tower, of 12 storeys, on River Road, between John and Philip streets.

Many residents have said the proposed development is out of character with the neighbourhood.

During her presentation to council, Munro credited council for certain developments and noted concerns with other projects.

She said the city is "lucky" to have a "rich tourism industry," but also added there's a public perception that politicians tend to focus too much on the sector.

Coun. Vince Kerrio said he believes the group is "adversarial," pointing to certain comments in Munro's presentation as being an "insult" to council.

"I don't think we need you looking over our shoulders," he said, adding the electorate put their "trust in us" by voting for the councillors who sit around the table.

Kerrio said the group is welcome to attend council meetings and comment on any proposed development, but that the city does not need "another body" to go to when notifying the public about projects.

Coun. Chris Dabrowski said contact information for all politicians are available on the city's website and there are plenty of avenues, especially now with social media, for residents to have their say about proposed developments.

Alex Herlovitch, the city's director of planning, building and development, said all public notices about developments are posted to the city's website and people who live near proposed projects are notified of any upcoming public meetings.

Munro said public notices are often written in bureaucratic language. The group would like to work with Herlovitch and staff to gather as much clear information as possible about proposed developments and explain them in simple terms to the general public.

Couns. Wayne Campbell and Lori Lococo were the only politicians to support Munro's request to be recognized. Coun. Carolynn Ioannoni did not attend Tuesday's meeting.

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Campbell said he believes the group can help make the city a better place to live, work and play.

"I can't see anything wrong with this," he said.

Munro said the citizens group wants to be a "voice for the people."

She said recent research into healthy and strong cities indicates that using citizen advisory groups increases public approval and acceptance and decreases public unrest and apprehension.

Munro said she wanted council to acknowledge the group as "partners in stewardship," so that the city can communicate with the organization and "know that we will be bringing not only praise when it's necessary, but also concerns when that's necessary."

She said the organization is made up of concerned citizens who were part of other similar groups in the community, as well as those who were not previously in any groups.

"We got together and felt that one, strong advocacy communication group that was incorporated would be an absolute asset for the City of Niagara Falls."

Munro said the group is at the steering committee stage and that becoming an incorporated group would give Citizens for Responsible Development standing at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

LPAT is an adjudicative tribunal that hears cases in relation to a range of municipal planning, financial and land matters.

Raymond.Spiteri@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1645 | @RaySpiteri