Lisa Kearns l Councillor l Burlington.ca/Ward2
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Hello and Welcome to the first newsletter of 2020!
Key matters regarding land use planning for the Downtown / Urban Area are coming forward for important discussion. As your Councillor, my position is aligned with the values many of you have shared with me - to deliver a focused plan that represents reasonable growth, not over-development.
The upcoming meetings are an opportunity to continue bringing your vision forward in planning for the future of our downtown.
Now and in the coming years, Burlington will welcome many new residents and businesses. A majority of these will be through increasing housing and employment opportunities across the City and especially in the Mobility Hubs, including Ward 2's Burlington GO area. The planning work underway right now through the Interim Control By-law (ICBL) and the Re-examination of the Adopted Official Plan will support this and continue to be a focus of Council.
Stepping into 2020 will be a flurry of activity in finalizing and responding to a series of milestones in the Local, Regional, and Provincial Planning processes. We are going to get a better plan for the downtown that truly reflects the Community and Council’s vision. Your engagement matters. I recognize that timing and the ability to schedule attendance for these meetings might not be optimal, what I can assure you is that you've put your trust in me to act on your behalf. I continue to work diligently for you to ensure that every detail in this process is vetted, challenged, understood, and analyzed to deliver on an Official Plan we can all be proud of.
Best regards,
Lisa
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In this issue:
What's Happening at the January Committee Meetings?
Discussion on the January Committee Meeting agenda items:
- Interim Control By-law (ICBL)
- OP - Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown - Preferred Concept
City Hall News
- Budget 2020
- Private Tree By-law
Ward 2 News
- Guelph Line and Harvester Road/Queensway Drive Intersection
- Downtown - Road Safety Review
- Road Safety - Lawn Sign Campaign
- Planning + Development - 2421-2431 New Street
- Planning + Development - 2294 & 2300 Queensway Drive
Health + Environment
- Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy
- Draft Climate Action Plan
Community Events
Closing Comments
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What's Happening at the January Committee Meetings?
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Committee begins at 9:30 a.m. and if required continues at 6:30 p.m., we first hear delegations by our residents - the people we serve at the morning or evening time options. I stand by reviewing the delegation process from the bottom up and commit to an open line of communication that gets the value of citizen led input. City meetings are live web-casted, giving everyone the option to attend in person or view online.
*New*
- Changes to 2020 Standing Committee Meetings - As a result of the city's recent new organizational design and the emphasis on strategic management, risk assessment, management, and public accountability, the standing committee structure has been renamed to align with the new organizational design. View Staff
Report CL-16-19
for details.
The following table
outlines the change in the new standing committee structure (now in effect):
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It is important to have your voice heard, key dates are below with clear engagement opportunities.
As always, please contact my office if you wish to discuss in advance of committee. Lisa.Kearns@Burlington.ca
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Here's what's included in the 'Regular Items' section of the upcoming committee agendas for January:
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Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee
January 13, 2020 - 9:30 a.m.
- Climate Action Plan for Burlington
- Public tree removals: 310 Appleby Line, 2123 Kevin Crescent and 297 Kent Crescent
- City-Wide Private Tree By-law Implementation Update.
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Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility Committee
January 14, 2020 - 9:30 a.m.
- Interim Control By-law Land Use Study.
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Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee
January 16, 2020 - 9:30 a.m.
- Structure for twinning relationships.
- Procedure By-law Update.
- Staff directions from 2020 Budget.
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Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility Committee
January 16, 2020 - 1:00 p.m.
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Meeting Agenda package to be released on January 9th, separate Newsletter to follow.
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Special Council Meeting - Interim Control By-law
January 30, 2020 - 9:30 a.m.
Agenda
- Interim Control By-law, Agenda package scheduled for 10 days prior to meeting.
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January Committee Meeting Agenda Items: Overview
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Interim Control By-law (ICBL)
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Current Status?
In accordance with the
Planning Act
,
A Statutory Public Meeting is being held on
January 14, 2020
. You may register to delegate (Clerks@Burlington.ca) or be heard from the floor for 10 minutes.
Purpose?
The public is provided with the opportunity to share their comments and feedback to City Council by way of committee on the proposed Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law Amendments informed by the ICBL work. At this time Council will consider the feedback prior to making a decision on the proposed amendments.
Meeting Details
Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility Committee
Date:
Tuesday January 14, 2020
Time:
9:30 a.m - 12 p.m, 1 p.m - 4 p.m & 6:30 p.m - 10 p.m
Location: City Hall, Council Chambers, Level 2, 426 Brant Street
You are welcome to attend the meeting and also speak to Committee. Note that
registration
is preferred.
My comments:
As the Interim Control By-law (ICBL) immediately affects Ward 2, I have been working closely with Senior Staff and the Mayor throughout this process to protect the interests of the community and ensure a community vision for downtown. I also extend my gratitude to all members of Council who have been deeply engaged in these matters with residents and staff.
The ICBL responded to two major concerns:
1) Growth pressures that continue to emerge for the lands in the study area; and
2) The role and function of the John Street Bus Terminal as a Major Transit Station Area.
The land use study conducted on lands under ICBL has completed the following:
- Assessed the role and function of the downtown bus terminal and the Burlington GO Station on Fairview Street as Major Transit Station Areas;
- Examined the planning structure, land use mix and intensity for the lands identified in the study area; and
- Provided update recommendations to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law regulations as needed for the lands identified in the study area.
With the above, I would support that the work of the ICBL has been completed with the delivery of the study and proposed updates to the existing OP and Zoning By-law. Therefore the ICBL is not proposed to be extended into a second year. It should be made clear that an ICBL may not be appealed when it is first passed (except by the Minister), however the extension of the ICBL to a second year may be appealed (by any person or public body).
It is now determined that the downtown terminal “does not function as a major bus depot” and that’s unlikely to change in the future, and the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) downtown “is not expected to be a significant driver for intensification”.
Concerns and feedback from residents about this process continue to be appreciated. By updating the OP with stronger MTSA language prior to reviewing the designations themselves are an important step to ground our discussions about the designations in planning rationale. Updating the in force and effect OP and adopting the Zoning recommendations protects our residents’ interests. Strengthening our OP is one more milestone on the journey to reclaiming a community vision for downtown.
The consultant’s report positions us with solid planning rationale for future conversations with the Region and Province about how we intend to bring greater control around planning decisions at the Municipal level.
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Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown - Preferred Concept
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Where are we at now?
Discussion about the re-examination of the downtown policies in the adopted Official Plan will continue at the Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee meeting on Thursday,
January 16, 2020 at 1 p.m.
At the meeting, Planning staff will present a single recommended land use vision and concept for the future built form of downtown Burlington. The recommendation is based on the evaluation of two preliminary concepts presented for public feedback in fall 2019, which was informed by several inputs including public feedback, technical studies, and an understanding of existing and approved development in the downtown.
Meeting Details
Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee
Date:
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Time:
1 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Council Chambers, Level 2, 426 Brant Street
A copy of the Report PL-02-20, containing the recommendation, will be available online on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at
getinvolvedburlington.ca
.
You are welcome to attend the meeting and also speak to Committee. Note that
registration
i
s required.
My comments:
This morning I received a brief verbal preview of the revised preliminary downtown concepts for the precinct plans. I anticipate the release of the final report and intend to provide a detailed response to ensure that community input received at the December Planning and Development meetings are incorporated into the final version of the concepts.
Overwhelmingly, the input received did not support either of the two concepts presented. Further work undertaken by the consultants resulted in a preferred concept that better reflects the community values. However, I must see the final version before endorsing any recommendations. I am absolutely focused on ensuring this work results in a downtown we can all be proud of. Please save the date for the opportunity to lend your voice to assessing the final version. (January 16th, 1 pm)
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Budget 2020
Last month I was pleased to support Burlington's 2020 Budget which includes:
- City Capital portion is $86.4 million.
- City Operations portion is $174.4 million from the tax base into the day-to-day running of city services.
- City-portion tax increase is 3.99%.
City Council has approved the city’s 2020 budget with a
3.99% increase
in the City’s portion of property taxes.
Combined with tax increases from Halton Region and the boards of education, the overall tax increase is 2.44% or $19.34 per $100,000 of a home’s current value assessment. The total annual increase to property taxes for a home assessed at $500,000 is $96.70.
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Investments to maintain City services
1.33% to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality services.
Investments in infrastructure renewal
1.25% dedicated to the renewal of existing city infrastructure. Major capital projects in 2020 include:
- Revitalization of the Skyway Community Recreation Complex.
- Resurfacing of New Street, between Walkers Line and Burloak Drive.
- Repair and renewal of assets at numerous community centres and pool facilities, and
- Minor reconstruction of Canterbury Drive.
Investments to address climate change impacts
0.82% dedicated to assets and initiatives that support sustainable infrastructure and a resilient environment, including:
- Four new conventional buses and eight additional drivers, plus a new specialized transit vehicle (Handi-Van) and driver.
- Free transit for children age 12 and under.
- New electric vehicle charging stations at City facilities such as arenas and community centres.
- A new private tree By-law program.
- Updates to the Urban Forestry Management Plan and a new tree planting initiative, and
- Funding to complete a Climate Change Adaptation Plan, support for the Bay Area Climate Change Partnership, and resources to implement the Climate Action Plan.
Investments to address risk management and other corporate priorities
0.59% dedicated to enhancing customer service and supporting the implementation of Burlington City Council’s four-year work plan,
Vision to Focus
, including:
- Enhanced parks and winter maintenance operations, including sidewalk snow removal.
- Four years of the Home Fire Safety program.
- Improvements to cyber security resilience.
- Temporary staffing to operate the newly expanded Joseph Brant Museum, and
- Programming at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre that celebrates all cultures.
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Private Tree By-law
Council recently approved the implementation of a city-wide Private Tree By-law (
Staff Report RPF-18-19
).
The approval includes:
- An exemption for any not-for-profit housing projects undertaken by Habitat for Humanity and any persons living below the low-income cut off before tax as determined by Statistics Canada.
- Development of tree planting incentives on private and public property within the City of Burlington.
- Creation of a Mayor/Council Task Force with the focus on improving the tree canopy.
- Preparation of a Forestry Management Plan equally as comprehensive as the Oakville Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan Town of Oakville, 2008 - 2027, and
- The development and amendment of the Burlington Private Tree By-law to include forestry assessment standards in order to allow citizens to clearly understand the basis of all City arborist’s assessments, decisions and ruling to ensure transparency and accountability.
An implementation update to the City-Wide Private Tree By-law will be discussed on January 13th at the Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee meeting with the report to be released under separate cover.
The By-law is expected to go into effect as of April 1, 2020.
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Guelph Line and Harvester Road/Queensway Drive - Intersection Improvements
Halton Region
has initiated a
Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study
for intersection improvements at Guelph Line (Regional Road 1) and Harvester Road/Queensway Drive.
The Municipal Class EA is a phased planning approach that includes 5 main study phases and public consultation. The complexity and extent of the environmental impact of a specific project determines the number of phases to be completed to comply with the Class EA process.
Learn more
.
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Downtown - Road Safety Review
In early December 2019, staff presented
Report TS-10-19
w
hich provided an overview of the safety review conducted within the downtown including a focus on both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Council approved staff's recommendations for the various road safety measures which will have the potential to reduce collisions and improve safety in our downtown.
These include the
implementation of road safety measures for the following intersections:
- Brant Street and Lakeshore Road
- Lakeshore Road and John Street
- Caroline Street and John Street
- James Street and John Street
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Brant Street Pedestrian Crossovers - staff reviewed commonly used pedestrian crossing locations along Brant Street within the downtown. Council approved staff's recommendation for the installat
ion of pedestrian crossovers at the following three locations:
- Brant Street at Pine Street
- Brant Street at Elgin Street
- Brant Street at Maria Street
The timelines for the installation of the above safety measures is the spring.
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Pedestrian crossover potentially for the Brant Street locations*
example only
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The addition of these pedestrian crossings will improve walkability within the downtown and will send a message to motorists that downtown streets are not the exclusive domain of the automobile but rather an area to be shared equally among all modes of travel.
Council also asked staff to explore the implementation of additional pedestrian crossings within the downtown and to review pedestrian refuge islands and the potential of separated signals at high volume pedestrian intersections city wide. I will continue to keep you updated.
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Road Safety - Lawn Sign Campaign
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2421-2431 New Street
I
n November 2019, Council approved a modified redevelopment proposal at 2421-2431 New Street.
The modified approval includes increasing building stepbacks at the front, rear and sides starting on the
6th storey, as well as providing a greater percentage
of parking for seniors' use.
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The site contamination currently impacting the property must be addressed prior to receiving full land use permissions as specified in the approved redevelopment proposal.
Report PB-32-19
.
This redevelopment proposal includes:
- Two joined 11 storey buildings with retirement home units in one building and residential units in the second building.
- 197 retirement units, (including 33 memory care units), 145 apartment units, total of 342 units.
- 5480sq. metres of Community Institutional space on the ground floor of the apartment building.
- 350 spaces in 3 levels of underground parking and 10 spaces provided at grade, for a total of 360 on-site parking spaces.
- The rear of the property is proposed as landscaped outdoor amenity area.
Council recently approved
Report PB-87-19
which outlines the community benefits in relation to this project.
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2294 & 2300 Queensway Drive
The city is in receipt of an application to amend the Official Plan, change the zoning, and subdivide the lands located at
2294 and 2300 Queensway Drive
. This will allow 25 townhouse units to be built. The development will have a density of approximately 63 units per hectare.
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The proposal includes:
- One back-to-back townhouse building with eight units.
- Three standard townhouse buildings with 17 units.
- Townhouse buildings are proposed to be three storeys in height and connect to Queensway Drive via a private condominium road.
No decisions about this application have been made. At this time, staff are seeking your feedback prior to making a recommendation to Council. Submit your comments to:
Department of Community Planning
P.O. Box 5013, 426 Brant St.
Burlington, ON, L7R 3Z6
Attn: Rebecca Lau
Phone: 905-335-7600 ext. 7860
E-mail: rebecca.lau@burlington.ca
Your written comments should be submitted by: January 22, 2020.
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For a complete listing of current development projects, visit
Ward 2 Projects
.
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The City of Burlington is excited to join the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GC0M).
This coalition of city leaders around the world is tackling climate change by pledging to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (mitigation) and preparing for the future impacts of climate change (adaptation).
Burlington is also one of 25 Canadian cities selected to participate in the Showcase Cities pilot program under GCOM.
This one-year project will offer technical support, training, networking opportunities and access to tools and resource
s.
Learn more
.
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The city's
draft
Climate Action Plan is now available, and we want to hear from you. View the plan:
Consider
delegating
at the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee meeting on Jan. 13, 2020.
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Public Education & Outreach Series
As part of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) mission to nurture and support local artists, BPAC has launched a Public Education & Outreach Series providing access and opportunities for local artists, arts organizations and audience members.
Upcoming February Workshops
include: Nav
igating the Music Industry - A Panel Discussion with Canada's Leading Industry Professionals, Memoir-Writing, and Triple-Threat Workshop (focusing on auditioning for a show).
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Note:
For a full listing of city meetings and events
subscribe to the city calendar
and receive a weekly email providing you with a list of what's coming up.
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Over the last year, I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet many of you. The number one role as your Councillor is to always listen, understand, and work to ensure your voice is at the forefront of decision making.
Your feedback and thoughts are important to me and our community. I truly believe this is your city and I am here to serve our constituents.
Our community is better when we're connected! Forward this newsletter to friends, family, neighbours and colleagues so that they can
sign up
as well.
Mark your Calendars for the 2020 Ward 2 Community Update Meetings on a Thursday evening at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
- February 20
- April 16
- June 4
- September 17
- November 19
Thank you for your support! It’s a pleasure to bring your voice forward as we work together to make our Burlington the best place to live, work and play!
Best regards,
Lisa Kearns
Ward 2 Councillor
City of Burlington & Region of Halton
E-mail: Lisa.Kearns@burlington.ca or Ward2@burlington.ca
Tel: 905 335-7600, x7588
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