Lisa Kearns l Councillor l Burlington.ca/Ward2 |
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Happy New Year Burlington!
2021 brought us closer to community, ignited a new appreciation for nature and continued to challenge us in ways we never thought imaginable. We again made it through and are a new day closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. I certainly acknowledge the frustration and resilience many are experiencing in this very moment, please know there are resources you can access and I will be pleased to personally connect you. Please visit the Halton Community Services Directory for access to many community supports.
I recognize that 2022 is not off to the start we’d hoped for in terms of the Pandemic beginning to ease up, I continue to be so proud of our residents and their commitment to the community. I've launched the Community Inspiration Ward 2 Awards and invite you to nominate those who have championed the spirit of our community! If you know of a deserving community member, business or organization please e-mail me a nomination.
I was fortunate to take in one last skate (photo) prior to the Jan. 5th closure of the City's recreational facilities. I know the extremely positive impact fitness and sport have on our physical and mental health. You're encouraged to try to find safe/virtual ways to stay active, we need these positive benefits now more than ever!
My office continues to support all requests and is here to serve you, please reach out.
I sincerely hope you and yours remain safe and well.
Lisa
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COVID-19
- Return to Step 2
- Impact to City Services
- Joseph Brant Hospital
- Vaccination Update
- Resources
COVID-19 Recovery - Support for Businesses
City Hall Council + Committee Meetings
- Individual Committee Items Listed Below
- How Can You Communicate with Council?
City Hall News
- 2022 Budget
- Burlington Arts & Culture Fund
- City Talk
- City Website Redesign
- Snow Clearing
Ward 2 News
- Coyotes
- Elgin Promenade
- Traffic Safety - James and Pearl Streets
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Ward 2 Community Update Public Meeting - Jan. 19th
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Ward 2 Walking Tour - Feb. 5th
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Ward 2 Brant/Ghent Proposal Public Information Meeting - Feb. 17th
Planning + Development
- Ward 2 Planning Concerns
- Downtown Waterfront
- 849 & 855 Brant St., 2013-2019 Edinburgh Dr.
- Ward 2 Overview of Planning Projects
- Active Ontario land Tribunal Hearings
Community
- Active at Home
- Burlington Public Library
Community Partners
In Closing
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Return to Step 2
These time-limited measures will help blunt transmission and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed as the Province continues to accelerate its booster dose rollout. Implemented measures include, but are not limited to
All workplaces
- Businesses and organizations are to ensure employees work remotely, unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site
Dining
- Closure of indoor dining at restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments
- Outdoor dining with restrictions, takeout, drive through and delivery is permitted
Event and meeting centers
- Closure of indoor meeting and event spaces (outdoor spaces can remain open with restrictions)
- Closure of indoor concert venues, cinemas, museums, landmarks, botanical gardens, and festivals
- Outdoor establishments permitted to open with restrictions and with 50% capacity
- Closure of indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities including gyms
- Outdoor facilities are permitted to operate but with the number of spectators not to exceed 50% occupancy and other requirements
Retail, personal care and gyms
- Retail settings, including shopping malls, are permitted at 50% capacity
- Personal care services are permitted at 50% capacity
- Closure of gyms and recreational fitness facilities
Other gatherings
- Social gathering limits reduced (5 people indoors and 10 people outdoors)
- Limited capacity at indoor weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites and ceremonies to 50% capacity of the particular room
- Outdoor services are limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 meters of physical distance
Schools
- All publicly funded and private schools to move to remote learning until at least January 17, subject to public health trends and operational considerations
- School buildings permitted to open for child care operations, including emergency child care, to provide in-person instruction for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated remotely and for staff who are unable to deliver quality instruction from home
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During this period of remote learning, free emergency child care will be provided for school-aged children of health care and other eligible frontline workers
In addition, the Chief Officer of Health has reinstated Directive 2 for hospitals and regulated health professionals, instructing hospitals to pause all non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures in order to preserve critical care and human resource capacity.
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Impact to City Services
City Hall, located at 426 Brant St., remains open for in-person service by appointment only for commissioning services and marriage licences. Walk-ins are not permitted. Call 905-335-7777 to book your appointment.
Questions about City services? Contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7777, e-mail or online.
Burlington Transit
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Burlington Transit will run a COVID-emergency schedule beginning Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. For schedules and routes, visit burlingtontransit.ca.
Recreation
- All indoor recreation facilities are closed and programs and rentals are cancelled or online. Staff are contacting everyone for credits and refunds. This may take some time.
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Virtual programs and Telepals continue to operate.
- Music private lessons, Student Theatre, Burlington Teen Tour Band and Junior Red Coats Band will continue with virtual programming. Those customer groups are being contacted directly by programs team.
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Outdoor skating at Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond and on the artificial ice surface (Glice) installed at Sherwood Forest Park are available. Online registration is required for the Rotary Pond.
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Joseph Brant Hospital
Letter to the Community from Eric Vandewall
President & CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital
Jan. 3, 2022
"As we welcome 2022, hospitals are beginning the year in a very different position than we were anticipating just a few short weeks ago. The highly transmissible Omicron variant has spread rapidly through our community and across the world, leading to record-high case counts and unprecedented pressure on our health system." Continue reading.
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Vaccinations - Update
Vaccine Booster
The Province has directed that as of Jan. 7th, individuals must be 18 years of age or older on the day of their appointment, unless they are part of another eligible group, to receive their third dose. For more details, visit Halton Region's eligibility criteria.
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Province’s GO-VAXX Bus
GO-VAXX mobile bus clinics are by appointment only. Walk-ins will not be accepted. To book an appointment: Visit the COVID-19 vaccination portal or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
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COVID-19 Supports for Businesses |
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Digital Main Street Program - Helps small businesses create and enhance their online presence to reach more customers through the $57 million Digital Main Street program.
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City Hall - Council + Committee Meetings |
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What will Council be talking about in December?
Visit the City's Calendar where you'll find meeting dates and agendas for upcoming Meetings of Council. Highlighted below are items which may be of interest and which I provide comment in the next section.
Consent Items:
- Regional Waterpipe Smoking By-law
Regular Items:
- COVID-19 Emergency Response Verbal Update
- 2021 Community Survey Results
- Delegated Authority By-law
- Procurement By-law
Confidential Items:
- Confidential Update on a Litigation Matter
- Confidential Labour Relations Update - Collective Bargaining
- Confidential Update on a Litigation Matter
- Confidential Update on a Litigation Matter
- Confidential Update on a Litigation Matter
Consent Items:
- Amending Agreement - Metrolinx Co-Fare Agreement
Regular Items:
- Submission on Region of Halton's Draft Preferred Growth Concept and Draft Land Needs
- Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) Area-Specific Recommended Preferred Precinct Plans
- City of Burlington Housing Strategy - Inclusionary Zoning Initial Report
Consent Items:
- Federal Funding Programs to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Regular Items:
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How Can You Communicate with Council?
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2022 Budget
Combined with a budget increase from Halton Region and no change to education taxes, the overall tax increase is 2.87 per cent or $22.36 per $100,000 of a home’s current value assessment. For example, homeowners with a home assessed at $500,000 would pay an additional $111.80 per year or $2.15 per week. The city’s budget increase is 4.62 per cent.
In comparison to neighbouring municipalities, when looking at a similar type and size of property, the taxes paid in Burlington remain below the group average. Read the Media Release.
My comments: Each year, Burlington has made great strides in preparing multi-year budgets that link long term planning to budgeting for expenses and revenue – this saves time and improves the financial and strategic planning processes. Saving time saves money. This year, I need to make clear that there is no more road to kick the can down, it is my firm belief that with few revisions this budget highlights fiscal prudence and stewardship. I recognize it is unpopular and politically shattering to do the right thing and not the popular thing. Continue reading.
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Council Workshop
Jan. 17 at 1 p.m.
Mississauga of the Credit First Nation - We are Still Here
Darin Wybenga, Acting Director and Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator, Mississauga of the Credit First Nation
Indian Act - What Can We Do?
Bryant Peters, College Instructor at Fleming College and Executive Consultant from the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation
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Burlington Arts & Culture Fund (BACF)
The BACF provides grants to local artists, multicultural groups and arts and cultural organizations to foster creativity and enrich how Burlington residents experience and engage with arts and culture. Applications are currently being accepted until Feb. 4, 2022.
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City Talk
The latest edition of City Talk covers key 2022 Election information and dates, city service updates, snow clearing and parking, Burlington Housing Strategy, Asset Management Plan and more! Click on the City Talk icon to view the online version.
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City Website Redesign
The City's website is getting redesigned and modernized in order to make it easier for residents and visitors to find information. Your input is needed, visit Get Involved Burlington to provide your feedback. We are always striving to do better and hearing from our residents is the best way to get there.
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Snow Clearing
Do you have a special request for Snow Clearing? Please let me know and it will be included in a Ward 2 request file. I was finding that the same residents had to call year after year to note a special consideration, this approach keeps requests current and allows snow clearing to happen with continuity.
Reminders:
- Primary and Secondary Roads will be plowed once 5 cm of snow has fallen.
- Snowplows begin residential roads when 7.5 cm has fallen. All roads will be plowed 24 hours after the snow has stopped.
- On-street parking is suspended during declared Snow Events until after the snow event has been cancelled.
Resources:
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Coyotes
Residents in the community continue to share concern about coyote sightings in the downtown and near schools. We are constantly reminded that we need to co-exist with these animals, however it can be quite disconcerting to come across a coyote. My office continues to work directly with the City's Animal Services team to provide residents with valuable information resources and even whistles.
Please contact me directly if you need a whistle.
For more information and to learn what you can do to help deter coyotes from our neighbourhoods and minimize human/coyote conflicts:
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Elgin Promenade - Phase 4
The Elgin Promenade was not able to be fully constructed before the Christmas break. Although some work will continue on site over the winter months, the new walkway will not be fully complete until early spring 2022. Efforts will be made to rework the site to accommodate safe movement of pedestrians over the next few months. We all agree that once complete, the Elgin Promenade will be an exciting new addition to the downtown.
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Traffic Safety - James and Pearl
For many years this has been an intersection of concern for many residents. While significant improvements are budgeted years away, a full traffic signal will now be installed at this intersection in 2022, with construction anticipated to begin this Spring.
I appreciate the many residents who have also advocated for better traffic management at this location, it has been a high priority for my office since day 1 and I am glad to see the support from our Traffic department.
The health and safety of our residents is a priority and my office continues to advocate on behalf of the community on keeping our neighbourhoods safe.
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Ward 2 Community Update Public Meeting
In response to the Government of Ontario's announcement regarding a return to a modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen, the January Ward 2 Community Update Meeting will be held as a virtual Zoom meeting only.
On a personal note, I deeply appreciate everyone who sets time out to connect on what's important to you. I stand by my commitment to keep you at the forefront of the decision-making process that considers your feedback on City matters. Development and concerns around over-intensification continue to dominate most meetings, and I commit to supporting our community vision for growth, especially in the downtown.
Participating in a meeting is just one way to connect with me in addition to e-mail or social media for what's happening in our ward.
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022
- 7-8 p.m. Presentation
- 8-9 p.m. Q&A Session
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The Agenda includes:
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COVID-19
- City Hall News
- Ward 2 News
- Planning + Development
- Our Community
- Q&A Session
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Ward 2 Walking Tour
Save the date Feb.5th at 1 p.m.
In case you missed it, over 60 residents participated in the Nov. 20th Ward 2 Downtown Walking Tour which focused on planning and development in the downtown. It's clear many residents are interested and engaged in the community.
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Please e-mail any feedback you may have about scheduling another walking tour and any suggestions (pending COVID-19 protocols).
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Ward 2 Public Meeting Information Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.
I have heard from residents in the area that a second opportunity to discuss this development would be beneficial to shaping the planning outcome.
Staff are currently reviewing the technical information and soliciting comments from external agencies. The purpose of the meeting is to provide residents the opportunity to again learn more about the project, followed by a Q&A. City Planning Staff will also be in attendance to speak to the on-going visioning and policy work for the area.
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Ward 2 Planning Concerns
Development pressure continues to raise anxiety and concern in the community. There are rumours about skyscrapers taking out No Frills, the tallest buildings in Burlington proposed on the precious waterfront, and the 'grandfathering' of applications that far exceed any height and density considered for downtown, not to mention dozens of appeals to our approved Official Plan.
It is a sobering and critical time for leadership. I will actively work with our planning staff, legal, and city leaders to achieve the best possible planning outcome. Much of what we are seeing does not respect the Official Plan policies, however we must operate within the municipal and provincial planning framework which can present a unique set of challenges.
Let's first set the record straight on No Frills / Brant Victoria. From time to time planning staff receive development inquiries on properties and provide information related to the current and New Official Plan related to sites like this one.
At this time, there is no pre-consultation community meeting requests, no planning application for consideration, or meeting with the Councillor scheduled to review a planning proposal.
I share the affection for No Frills just as many of you do, in fact, I have said that my best community feedback happens in the freezer aisle! I can assure that the provision of a food store is critical for any comprehensive redevelopment block plan. We have included specific policy for that in the Official Plan. If and when there is an opportunity to discuss development in this location, the community will be engaged and the planning process will unfold. Until then, please try not to perpetuate misinformation and know that you can come to me for the facts.
Thank you to so many who provided very detailed feedback on the 2020 Lakeshore Road (Waterfront Hotel) proposal. I’m glad that you were able to participate in the Sept. 8th Pre-Application Consultation Meeting led by the proponent who shared preliminary plans with the community, followed by the opportunity for the community to ask questions, share concerns and comments. As the Ward 2 Councillor and representative, I listened intently to the valid concerns and issues raised by the community. My comments and feedback will be delivered in the appropriate forum which is the Statutory Public Meeting which is yet to be scheduled.
The City has created a webpage for the 2020 Lakeshore Road proposal which can be viewed here. I encourage you to subscribe to this page to be notified directly when the page is updated.
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Downtown Waterfront
Are you passionate about Burlington's Waterfront? Can you lend your expertise & energy to a community group?
Here's an opportunity to join a local growing movement to Add Your Voice To Help Save Burlington's Heritage Waterfront.
PLAN B is a group of engaged Burlington volunteers solely focused on ensuring that any redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel enhances the Brant Street gateway to Lake Ontario and extends Spencer Smith Park.
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The proposal is for a mixed-use development that will consist of retail and service commercial uses at grade, offices, a banquet facility and restaurants, a 130-room hotel, and 557 residential apartments. These uses will be within two tall buildings (35 storeys and 30 storeys inclusive of a 5-storey podium).
Status: pre-application process is separate from and not related to the City’s Waterfront Hotel Study, which has established key policy directions for development on this site and is planned to continue later this year.
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Plan B preferred concept. A Thin Red Line is proposed to extend and create a daylight triangle for the proposed future development on the NE corner of Brant Street and Lakeshore Road, across the 2020 Lakeshore property and down to the lake. It became apparent to us at that point, that if no buildings were erected west/southwest of this Thin Red Line, we could achieve what most Burlington residents really wanted in any redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel; namely an enhanced gateway to Lake Ontario at the foot of Brant Street and an extension of Spencer Smith Park’s green space.
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849 & 855 Brant St., 2013-2019 Edinburgh Dr.
Proposal:
- 11 storey building with 289 residential units on Brant St.
- 24, 3-storey back-to-back townhouse units fronting Edinburgh Dr.
- 2 levels of underground parking, 368 parking spaces
- Access from Maplewood Dr.
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Ward 2 Overview of Planning Projects
Click on the map to view an enlarged version of the current Planning Projects currently underway in the downtown. More details about Planning matters in our community can be found at Ward 2 Current Projects. Project pages include details, timelines and contact information.
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Active Ontario Land Tribunal Hearings
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Active at Home
While the monthly Burlington Seniors Centre Breakfast Bistro has been on pause for quite some time, you can still enjoy the breakfast scones made at home. Follow along with this terrific video that walks you through the recipe. Join Recreation Programmer Sara Parker as she shares the coveted Burlington Bistro Scone recipe. Simple tips and tricks of the Bistro volunteer baking team will be shared for best at home baking success. For more free virtual programs, visit burlington.ca/activeathome. Watch now.
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Burlington Public Library
In light of the Province’s decision, Central Branch remains open with limited capacity. It is important to have access to library resources including computers and catalogue materials. Keep your eye out for FREE copies of Writing the Rollercoaster and Halton Age Friendly Calendar 2022. Read more.
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Burlington Food Bank
The Burlington Food Bank provides nutritious food to the hungry of our community in a dignified and timely manner. Your help is needed. Support our Food Bank, through volunteering your time, a monetary donation, or food donation.
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There are still opportunities to be active for your physical and mental health, including:
- tobogganing, neighbourhood rinks and parks and open spaces.
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The Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond is open with pre-registration required for outdoor skating. Online registration opens 25-hours in advance of the skate time at burlington.ca/dropinandplay. Please remember to complete COVID-19 screening before arrival for your skate.
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The Play Lending Library has outdoor equipment to borrow. Contactless pick-up and drop-off is available at Central Arena, 519 Drury Lane and a full listing of equipment is available at burlington.ca/playlending
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Thank you to everyone for staying in this together, following the public health recommendations and for being kind and respectful of one another.
Happy New Year,
Lisa Kearns
Ward 2 Councillor
City of Burlington & Region of Halton
E-mail: Lisa.Kearns@burlington.ca
DIRECT CELL PHONE: 289-962-2679
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Links & Resources:
Please check these frequently. Information changes quickly so these trusted online sources are the best ways to get the most up-to-date information:
Mental Health Support:
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