• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

S O R E

  • About
  • Updates
  • Hotel Proposal
  • Subdivision Proposal
  • Benny Marotta Media Archive
  • How You Can Help
You are here: Home / Archives for Updates

Updates

Marotta continues Rand litigation against Town and promises new lawsuit against Council

Article posted on May 3, 2025

Benny Marotta withdrew entirely from the Ontario Land Tribunal proceedings on his proposed Rand subdivision after the OLT ruled against his company and sent him back to the drawing board to work with the Town and SORE on an acceptable approach. Mr. Marotta has though, for the time being, continued his judicial review application seeking to overturn the OLT decision.

Residents Association press release

Article posted on April 24, 2025

We are providing this press release as a courtesy to a new fellow residents’ association.  The newly formed and Incorporated Niagara on the Lake Residents Association will hold its first Open House meeting on Wednesday, May 14, at the Community Centre, 14 Anderson Lane, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Ontario Land Tribunal dismisses Marotta Rand subdivision application

Article posted on April 17, 2025

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has this week issued a final order dismissing the Marotta/Solmar applications for a high density subdivision on the back half of the Rand Estate. As our supporters will recall, Mr. Marotta’s company Solmar applied for permission to build almost 200 houses on the historic Rand Estate.  The subdivision would have […]

The Niagara Foundation moves forward on The Wilderness

Article posted on February 22, 2025

SORE has been laser-focused on advocating for responsible development of the Rand Estate in Niagara on the Lake, especially in terms of recognizing and protecting its heritage characteristics. However, we want to give a shoutout about what’s underway for another large historic parcel in town – The Niagara Foundation completed acquisition of The Wilderness property in December and has an extensive process to shape what happens with the property.

Ontario Land Tribunal denies Marotta appeal of Rand subdivision decision

Article posted on January 28, 2025

Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

The Ontario Land Tribunal on Jan. 28 2025 DENIED in its entirely the review request filed by the Marotta’s Solmar company of the OLT decision that rejected the Rand Estate subdivision application filed on the basis that it did not represent good planning.

Marotta appeals Ontario Land Tribunal Rand decision

Article posted on November 14, 2024

Benny Marotta this week has filed appeals of the recent Ontario Land Tribunal Rand subdivision decision to both the courts and the OLT. SORE’s report on the OLT decision in question can be found on sorenotl.ca The OLT decision was the result of a multi-week hearing during which the Tribunal heard from over 20 witnesses […]

Town and SORE win OLT Rand case on Marotta subdivision

Article posted on October 16, 2024

Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

The Ontario Land Tribunal decision on the proposed Marotta Rand Estate subdivision is a complete win for SORE and for the Town. Our supporters will recall that the Marotta company took the matter out of the hands of Council and appealed directly to the OLT.

Parties file written submissions in Marotta Rand subdivision OLT hearing

Article posted on September 2, 2024

Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

The parties to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) case brought by Benny Marotta’s company Solmar filed written submissions to the Tribunal at the conclusion of the evidentiary phase of the hearing. The full text of the four written submissions are on the sorenotl.ca site.

OLT Rand subdivision hearing resumes

Article posted on July 28, 2024

A reminder that after a break of several weeks, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) panel hearing the appeal by Benny Marotta’s company of his request to build a 200+ unit subdivision on the back half of the Rand Estate will resume hearing evidence tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Update on Marotta Rand OLT hearing

Article posted on May 20, 2024

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) panel hearing the appeal by Benny Marotta on his proposed Rand Estate subdivision has adjourned as planned until late July. 

OLT to broadcast Marotta Rands subdivision hearing on its YouTube channel

Article posted on April 6, 2024

Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has agreed to broadcast the hearing starting next Tuesday, April 9, at 10 am on its YouTube channel.  

Update on Marotta Rand OLT subdivision hearing

Article posted on March 28, 2024

We thought it timely to provide an update on the upcoming OLT hearing on the proposed Marotta subdivision. In our last update, we noted that Council had reversed part of its December 15 resolution and decided to not make available a portion of the Heritage Trail for an access to Mr. Marotta’s proposed Rand Estate […]

Character area study for Rand Estate and vicinity – Upcoming public meetings

Article posted on January 26, 2024

Urban Strategies delivered a draft report to the Town in early December. That report fulfilled the requirement in the new but not yet in force Town Official Plan to do a character area study of the area including the Rand Estate before any land use planning decisions are made on the subject lands.

New plan filed for Marotta Rand subdivision proposal and CMC tomorrow

Article posted on January 23, 2024

Solmar, one of the Benny Marotta companies, has filed an “updated” application for the highly controversial subdivision proposal for the back half of the Rand Estate.

Town provides statement on Marotta Rand subdivision application

Article posted on January 19, 2024

Town provides statement on Marotta Rand subdivision application

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Town released a statement concerning the Marotta Rand Estate subdivision application and the now-withdrawn concept of using a portion of the Town-owned Heritage Trail for access. That statement can be found on the Town of NOTL website.

Marotta company makes formal request for Heritage Trail subdivision easement

Article posted on January 9, 2024

Letter from M Flowers to N Smith and J De Marinis re Request for Easement for Charlotte Street Access - January 8 2024

In a letter dated January 8, 2024, the lawyers for the Marotta company seeking approval for a subdivison on the Rand Estate have formally requested that the Town grant their client a “permanent easement” over the Town-owned Heritage Trail to enable access to the proposed subdivision.   A copy of that letter can be found […]

Council takes position on Marotta Rand subdivision

Article posted on December 16, 2023

Niagara on the Lake town logo

After a lengthy in-camera meeting yesterday, Council emerged to pass a very important resolution concerning the proposed Marotta Rand Estate subdivision on 200 John and 588 Charlotte (the back half of Randwood). The purpose of the resolution was to set out the Town’s position and instructions to its lawyer ahead of the Ontario Land Tribunal […]

New Town character area study supports SORE vision for Randwood

Article posted on December 14, 2023

SORE is pleased to report that Council recently received an important draft report of Urban Strategies Inc and GBCA Architects concerning the Rand Estate and the John Street East Character Area. The report, a “Character Area Study” is required by the Town’s new Official Plan. It was commissioned in 2022 and recently completed and delivered […]

Reminder of OLT case management conference Friday at 10 am

Article posted on November 9, 2023

SORE reminds its supporters and stakeholders that the Ontario Land Tribunal will be holding a case management conference tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 10) morning at 10 am on the proposed Marotta Rand Estate subdivision.  The access details are below. https://meet.goto.com/996288525 Access code: 996-288-525 We expect this CMC to be largely procedural however there may be matters […]

Canadian Society of Landscape Architects deems Rand Estate provincially significant

Article posted on September 22, 2023

In a letter dated September 14 to Paul Calandra, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) calls the Rand Estate a “unique” and a “provincially significant heritage asset”.   The CLSA, which is the voice of landscape architects in Canada, noted the significant involvement of the seminal husband […]

Update on Ontario Land Tribunal hearing for proposed Marotta Rand subdivision

Article posted on June 15, 2023

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) held a scheduled Case Management Conference (CMC) on June 9 to advance the hearing process for the proposed Marotta Rand subdivision. Thank you to those of you who dialed in to listen/watch. A proposed procedural order establishing the key aspects of the pre-hearing and hearing process was discussed with the […]

Reminder of OLT case management conference on Marotta Rand subdivision this Friday

Article posted on June 7, 2023

SORE reminds its supporters and interested parties of the OLT case management conference FRIDAY, JUNE 9 AT 10 AM.     AT: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/765631861Access code: 765-631-861 The primary purpose of this video call is to discuss the issues lists for the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing for the proposed Marotta Rand subdivision scheduled to begin next March.   […]

Important public information virtual session 6 pm Thursday

Article posted on April 26, 2023

The Town is hosting an important Public Information Centre (PIC) virtual session tomorrow evening concerning a special Character Area study of the area including the Rand Estate. This study is required under the Town’s new Official Plan.

Marotta denied all Rand demolition permits

Article posted on April 25, 2023

NOTL Community Centre Apr 24 2023 for Rand Heritage special Council meeting

An overflow standing room only crowd of well over 300 people packed the Community Centre last night for a special session of Council. The purpose of the meeting was to decide upon numerous permit applications by the Marotta group under the Heritage Act to demolish/remove buildings and designed landscape from 200 John St and 588 Charlotte.

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 7
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Latest posts by SORE

  • Marotta continues Rand litigation against Town and promises new lawsuit against Council
  • Residents Association press release
  • Ontario Land Tribunal dismisses Marotta Rand subdivision application
  • The Niagara Foundation moves forward on The Wilderness
  • Ontario Land Tribunal denies Marotta appeal of Rand subdivision decision
  • Marotta appeals Ontario Land Tribunal Rand decision
  • Town and SORE win OLT Rand case on Marotta subdivision

On SORE website

  • Updates
  • 2022 municipal election
  • How You Can Help
  • Benny Marotta the Developer- Media Archive
  • History of Randwood Estate
  • 2021 Rand Subdivision proposal documents
  • 2018 Hotel Proposal Documents
  • 2018 Hotel Proposal Media Coverage
  • 2018 Hotel Proposal Process
  • December 2019 SORE Update

Contact SORE

Email us with questions, interest and support at  [email protected]

Sign up for SORE updates

Sign up to receive email updates from SORE. *Name and email required
This field is required.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your email signup to SORE.

The Save Our Rand Estate (SORE) website has been developed by SORE Association, a group of concerned local citizens in Niagara on the Lake, with information we believe to be accurate.

Please contact SORE Association with any questions or concerns. | We respect your privacy

Website hosting by Inspiring Media Inc.