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| Ward 1 News From Councillor Rick Craven March 2017 |
Renewal Project
The owners of the Georgian Court Estates housing complex (Realstar and bcIMC) have announced their intention to "transform" their property in Aldershot. In a letter to tenants the owners say their aim is to "obtain planning approvals for redevelopment". Georgian Court Estates is located on a 20 acre site in the heart of the Warwick Surrey neighbourhood. There are currently 280 townhouses and maisonettes on the site, dating back to the 60s. The owners say that Georgian Court Estates "will be redeveloped into a best-in-class rental community with new parks, roads, public and private amenities and continued high quality housing". Staged redevelopment would begin in 2019.
I want to emphasize here that the owners have not filed a formal redevelopment application with the City yet and that a series of meetings with the public and the tenants have been scheduled.
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What is the status of the fight against Emerald Ash Borer?
The simple answer is that the City is losing the battle. In a recent report staff advised that "ash tree mortality in Burlington is now rapidly accelerating due to high levels of EAB infestation combined with the impact of the severe 2016 drought." Over five thousand trees have been removed so far and more will be removed in 2017 to ensure public safety. It is anticipated that by the end of 2024 over 9,000 ash trees will have been lost.
In recent years the City injected over 7,000 trees with the pesticide TreAzin in an attempt to protect against the borer but with only limited success.
The City continues to refine its protection program in a variety of ways, including placing emphasis on the larger trees but we are not optimistic that many ash trees will survive in the long run.
Eventually, the City will replace the ash trees with a more diverse range of tree species. In 2017 over seven hundred replacements will be planted.
Unfortunately our attempts to prolong the life of these trees have proven very costly. Over $4 million so far.
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Hospital Noise
My office has received several calls complaining about noise coming from the Joseph Brant Hospital. Upon investigation we have learned that this noise is a result of the installation of a new boiler system and cannot be avoided. The hospital has been reminded that the City's noise bylaw prohibits such noise between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. We are told however, that the work and the noise should be completed very soon.
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Drop-in
My annual Maple Community drop-in will be held on Thursday, April 13 from 6:30 to 8 pm at Mapleview Mall. This is your opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with your Ward Councillor about individual questions or concerns. No appointment required, just drop by.
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Parking Meters Downtown
It's no secret that there have been a few growing pains associated with the new "Pay-By-Plate-Parking" machines in the downtown. The City is aware of the complaints. As a result we are working with the supplier to find solutions to the problems. Some improvements which are on the horizon include: increasing the screen backlighting, modifying the text on the face of the parking slip and providing new decals with step-by-step instructions on how to use the machines.
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Beachway Park Dune Crossing Renewal
The existing dune crossing that provides a defined entry point and access to the beach, which was constructed in 1999, now requires replacement. All the wooden components, including decking, railings, stairs and benches will be replaced this year. New features include a ramp providing accessible access to the beach. Work is expected to be completed before summer.
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Havendale Lands
I have been advised that the 17 acres of open space at 2100 Brant St. (south of Havendale Blvd and west of Brant Street), has been purchased by a developer. You will recall that this land was the source of great speculation a year ago when the ADI Development Group expressed some interest in building high rise condos on the site. ADI subsequently withdrew. The new owner tells me that he will be proposing mainly a townhouse development with heights of no more than 4 storeys. At this point there is no formal application before the City but I will advise you as soon as I know more.
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Public Meeting
My annual Tyandaga public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at the Tyandaga Golf Club, 1265 Tyandaga Park Dr. I will provide updates on a variety of neighbourhood issues and be available to respond to your questions and concerns. Everyone welcome.
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City Transportation staff are hosting a public information centre to discuss the possibility of traffic calming measures on Westbury Avenue. The meeting will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25 at the Tyandaga Golf Course Clubhouse. This information session is be a drop-in format.
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KaBOOM is coming!
KaBOOM is an American non-profit organization dedicated to the goal of ensuring that all children have access to healthy opportunities to play. KaBOOM has built over 15,000 playgrounds in the U.S. and Toronto. Now, KaBOOM has chosen Aldershot! KaBOOM has approached the City for permission to install new playground equipment in Bolus Gardens Parkette at the corner of Francis and Plains Road. KaBOOM and its funding partner will pay most of the cost. This is a very exciting opportunity and will involve a significant number of volunteers to take full advantage of the plan. KaBOOM wants to involve children in the design of the new play equipment and will work with a team of community members to plan a "Build Week", which anticipates up to 200 volunteers assembling the new playground on August 14. Many details will follow. Stay tuned.....
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Randle Reef Update
The relatively mild winter has permitted the construction team working on the Randle Reef project to resume its work sooner than expected.
Randle Reef is a major pollution control initiative in Hamilton Harbour that has the full support of the City of Burlington.
The work involves construction of a large containment box around a pollution site. This requires noisy pile driving using an impact hammer. Last year, my office received a number of complaints about the noise. We have now been advised that work is about to resume on the project from 7 am (eventually and in some cases) continuing until 3 am.
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The Adi Development Group recently hosted a public meeting to obtain ideas on how to design Phase Two of its Masonry Court development. Phase Two is the open space at the corner of Masonry and Waterdown Road. ADI has not submitted a plan yet for the site but wanted to hear from the public about design, colour, architecture and public space. About two dozen people attended the meeting.
(ADI's Phase One is slightly to the east and includes 2 six-storey buildings plus several hundred townhouses).
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Safety First
In an ongoing attempt to improve traffic safety in south Aldershot, the City's Traffic Technologists have decided to install STOP signs at intersections where none exist now. These locations include: Plumtree Drive and Gallagher, Plumtree and Manorwood, Manorwood and Grove Park, White Oak Drive and Grove Park, Dalewood Avenue and Grove Park,
Dalewood and old Orchard as well as Bedford Avenue and Grove Park.
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Councillor Drop-in
This is your opportunity to share individual questions or concerns with your City Councillor. I will be in the Fortinos, café area (1059 Plains Rd. E), on Tuesday, March 28 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Drop by. No appointment required.
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Bayview Park Leash Free Area Improvements
Construction will begin soon on upgrading this facility. The existing leash free area will be expanded from one hectare to one-and-a- half hectares and include a new separate area for small dogs only. The entire facility will be protected by new fencing. There will be a small seating area and pathways from the parking lot to the leash free section. More trees will be planted to "dress up" the area and the nearby Lions Club Pavilion will be improved with a concrete pad. Work is expected to be completed in June.
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Managing Storm Water in Aldershot Using Green Infrastructure
This community seminar will offer insight into the special role and responsibility Aldershot has in managing storm water and its impact on Burlington Bay.
Please join us on Wednesday, April 19, 7 p.m. at East Plains United Church. Featured speakers include: Chris McLaughlin, Executive Director, Bay Area Restoration Council, Tys Theysmeyer, Head of Natural lands, Royal Botanical Gardens and Umar Malik, Stormwater Management Project Engineer, City of Burlington.
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Engagement Charter
I was pleased to join Bob Elliott, Chris Walker and John Searles recently for the unveiling of the Burlington Community Engagement Charter plaque at the Aldershot Pool. Bob, Chris and John are citizen members of the Burlington Charter Action Team. The plaque serves as a reminder of our mutual roles and responsibilities for healthy community engagement.
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Aldershot Lions do It Again!
Congratulations to the Aldershot Lions Club. They have just made a $25,000 donation to the Compassion Society. The Lions Club has been operating for over 50 years in Aldershot and has contributed to many community based projects. Compassion Society is an Aldershot based community service agency that provides clothing, food and other necessities to folks in need.
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Road Closures for Annual Event
The annual Around the Bay Road Race will be held on Sunday, March 26. North Shore Blvd, Plains Road West and King Rd will be impacted. Road closures will be in place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information go to www.bayrace.com.
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Salamanders
As usual the City has closed King Road from the base of the escarpment to Mountain Brow Road to protect the breeding Jefferson salamanders. The road will be closed until March 30. The Jefferson salamander is a nationally and provincially protected endangered species that migrates to it's breeding ponds (across King Road) during wet rainy nights this time of year.
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Clappisons Corners / Highway 5 & 6 Interchange
Twelve properties on the west side of Highway 6, south of Parkside Drive, have been purchased by the Ministry of Transportation in preparation for the future Highway 5 and 6 Interchange. The purpose of these improvements is to enhance traffic flow and address future capacity issues within the area. The project's completion is driven by the Ministry of Transportation's Provincial Budget and therefore the City has no authority over construction timelines. The project is currently in the detail design phase.
Click here for more information. For more road and community updates, please click here.
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Public Forum on Seniors Issues
Tuesday, March 28, 10 am to noon,
Burlington Central Library, 2331 New St.
Sponsored by Burlington Seniors Community
Aboriginal Awareness Day
Saturday, April 1, 10:30 am to 3 pm.
St. Mathew's Church, 126 Plains Rd, E.
Tickets: $15.00 or $25.00/family
Includes aboriginal service, "The Seven Grandfather Teachings", lunch and "Blanket Ceremony".
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
LaSalle Park, 50 North Shore Blvd.
Inflatables, Face Painting, Petting Zoo.
Rain or Shine
Sponsored by Glad Tidings,
www.gtburlington.org
Compassion Society Event
This very worthy organization is hosting it's annual fundraising event "Elvis and Friends" on Saturday, April 22 at the Polish Hall starting at 7 p.m.
In 2016 the Compassion society provided over 23,000 servings of food and 8,000 pieces of clothing, of which over 40% went to children.
Earth Day Community Clean-up
Burlington's annual clean-up event takes place on the morning of April 22 (Earth Day). To register your clean-up event please go to
www.burlingtongreen.org.
Aldershot Community Honour Roll
The tenth anniversary of this great program is to be held on Wednesday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m. at the LaSalle Park Pavilion. The Honour Roll celebrates the community contributions of Aldershot residents.
For more information or to nominate someone for the Honour Roll go to
www.achr.ca.
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Let's Keep in Touch
In compliance with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, recipients of this newsletter may unsubscribe at any time. Many residents have contacted me or provided me with their email addresses during the campaign period and I thank you for signing up to receive updates. Please feel free to forward my newsletter to your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues so they can sign up as well.
Please add [email protected] to your address book so my correspondence will be sure to land in your inbox. You may unsubscribe at any time.
As always, you may contact me through email, phone, social media or by attending Ward 1 public open house meetings or drop-in sessions.
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Rick Craven
City of Burlington & Region of Halton
Councillor, Ward One
Ph: 905-335-7600 ext. 7587
Fax: 905-335-7881
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