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Video: Valuing residents’ input in decisions
Vol. 1 of “Little Ideas that can make a difference” video series
City Hall does a good job of asking residents what they think. Where there’s room for improvement is incorporating that feedback into final decisions.
This video explores some of the attitude changes that need to take place to make that happen. We’ve got to move beyond dismissing residents as NIMBYs, special interests, or uneducated when you provide input that decision-makers may not want to hear. I’ve heard these sentiments too often, including in city meetings this past week.
We’ve got to value all input, and find ways to incorporate it.
Want to comment on this video or have an idea for how to make our city better? Please leave a comment or send me an email at meedwardm@burlington.ca, and I’ll post it online.
Posted in Little ideas
5 Comments
If a city tree falls on your home, should you pay?
Report to Committee of the Whole, Dec. 12, 2pm; to Council Dec. 19, 7pm.
City staff have reviewed and are recommending no change to our insurance policies following concerns from residents about claims being denied for such items as tree damage.
Currently,
Posted in Insurance
3 Comments
Report on disclosing pier’s legal fees
Committee of the Whole, Dec. 12, 2pm; to Council Dec. 19, 7pm
On Dec. 12, city councilors are considering a confidential legal report regarding disclosure of legal fees. Once a city policy is formulated, I will be advocating that the policy
Posted in Pier
3 Comments
Free parking downtown?
Report to Community Services Committee, Dec. 14, 6:30pm; to Council Dec. 19, 7pm.
Residents, visitors and downtown businesses have long been saying that paid parking downtown is discouraging business, and have suggested free parking on Saturdays, or even daily for the
Posted in Parking
2 Comments
Recorded votes; council raises; artificial turf on front yards
In favour of recorded votes
Committee of the Whole, Dec. 12, 2pm; to Council Dec. 19, 7pm
Under our current procedural bylaws, recorded votes are not allowed at standing committees of council, including the Community Development Committee; Community Services Committee; Budget &
Posted in Updates and events
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Master Plan for Burlington Beach under review
Public meeting Tues. Nov. 29, 7-8:30pm, Waterfront Hotel, 2020 Lakeshore Rd
Should residents living in the Burlington Beach community of Beachway Park on Lakeshore Road be allowed to stay?
That will be a key question during the upcoming review of the Burlington Beach Master Plan. Burlington Beach stretches from the Burlington Canal on our border with Hamilton, up to and including Spencer Smith Park. The area encompasses Beachway Park, the sand bar from Lakeshore/Maple to the canal.
Beachway Park is classified as a regional park, and is jointly governed by Halton Region, Conservation Halton and the City of Burlington.
Current regional policy calls for all private homes on both sides of Lakeshore Road south of the wastewater treatment plant to be purchased and demolished, for parkland. Between 1976 and 1997, 129 properties were acquired. Today, 30 remain in private hands, half on the East (lake) side of Lakeshore Road, and half along the West side of Lakeshore Road.
The area on the shoreline (East) side of Lakeshore Road is a dynamic beach, subject to shifting sand, wave uprush and flooding, and is considered unsafe for habitable buildings. The beach is also home to some rare and uncommon vegetation, which serve to protect the sand dunes from erosion.
The area on the west side of Lakeshore Road is in a flood hazard. Conservation staff are currently working on maps to define the boundary of the flood hazard, and will present those at the November public meeting. Buildings in this area must be floodproofed.
None of the homes have water or sewer hookups, which has been a challenge for the community and contributed to the deterioration of some of the properties. Cost for sewer hookups is estimated at $80-100,000.
Some homeowners have installed state of the art pumping systems, and poured tens of thousands of dollars into upgrades.
So, should the residents, stay or go? Some want to sell; many want to stay. Our entire community and region will have to weigh the cost of acquiring the properties with the extra parkland that will provide. One the one hand, if the homes weren’t there Lakeshore Road could be rerouted, increasing the shoreline park area. On the other hand, current master plans would allow commercial uses – restaurants or cafes; water-related sales and rental businesses. So why not allow the residents to remain also, for eyes on the street after business hours?
My take: It’s important to have eyes on the street in the beach, which already has problems with beach parties, camp fires and vandalism. I’m open to exploring a Beachway Plan that would permit some low density residential and commercial uses, especially on the west (non-shoreline) side of Lakeshore Road.
What do you think? Should residents be allowed to stay on the beach? How much retail/commercial/residential development – if any – and what type would you like to see in this area? What’s your vision for the park? Let me know by commenting below or by emailing me meedwardm@burlington.ca.
Posted in Waterfront
6 Comments
OMB hearing on height limits on Brant St and Old Lakeshore Road
Begins Nov. 28, 10am, Rm 247, City Hall
A local developer (Carnicelli) has taken the city to the Ontario Municipal Board to challenge height limits on Brant Street, and on the eastern edge of Old Lakeshore Road.
Brant Street: Carnicelli is challenging the new Official Plan rules for a lot at the corner of Brant and James. To view an aerial photo of the area click here. The city’s old Official Plan allowed buildings up to 8 storeys on Brant Street. The most recent plan changed that height limit to 4 storeys, with allowance to go to 8 storeys with provision of community benefits under Section 37 of the Planning Act.
Community benefits are normally a cash contribution to community projects, mutually agreed to by the city and the developer.
The amount of community benefits is calculated by an independent land appraiser who determines the increase in land value from the extra height allowed; 50% of that cash value is then negotiated with the developer as contributions to such items as parks, public art, parking, or landscaping. I spearheaded a process, with the help of another councillor, to review Section 37 benefits, which is currently underway.
Old Lakeshore Road: Carnicelli is challenging the new Official Plan rules for the east end of the Old Lakeshore Rd area. To view an aerial photo of the area click here.
The old Official Plan for the eastern-most portion of Old Lakeshore Road at the intersection of Lakeshore Road allowed roughly 6-7 storeys. The new plan allows buildings up to 6 storeys, with allowance to go to 8 storeys with provision of community benefits, preservation or relocation of heritage buildings, sun shadow and other studies, and realignment of Old Lakeshore Road to intersect with Lakeshore Road at Martha Street.
My Take: I’m supportive of the height limits on Brant and Old Lakeshore Road, and remain concerned about the use of Section 37 to trade up. We need to cast a vision for downtown Burlington and the waterfront, and stick to it.
Please let me know your thoughts by clicking the link below to comment or emailing me at meedwardm@burlington.ca
Posted in Development
5 Comments
Seniors issues focus of new Ward 2 committee
Thurs. Dec. 15, 6-7pm (Seniors subcommittee); 7-9pm (Ward 2 Citizen’s Advisory Committee), Rm 247, City Hall
At the request of seniors living in Ward 2, I’ve set up a seniors committee to explore issues facing seniors and recommend action items. The group is a subcommittee of our larger Ward 2 Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Both groups meet monthly, the third Thursday of each month. Everyone is welcome.
Seniors sub-committee: At its most recent meeting the subcommittee formalized a terms of reference and outlined several areas for action, including pedestrian priority for crossing on Brant Street, and an advance green light turning left into the senior’s centre from New Street. Read the minutes, terms of reference and workplan here. The committee is a pilot project for establishing seniors committees in other wards.
Ward 2 Citizens Advisory Committee: We welcomed Kyle Benham, from the Burlington Economic Development Corporation, and Jody Wellings, our Downtown Co-ordinator, to our most recent meeting to discuss challenges and opportunities in the downtown. That feedback will be posted online next week here and sent to our Downtown Task Group, which is preparing recommendations for council.
Posted in Seniors
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Changes coming for downtown parking (hopefully)
Report to committee in December
Parking in the downtown remains an ongoing challenge for residents, businesses and visitors alike, so the city has been working with a consultant to explore the issues and make recommendations.
The staff report is pending, but several issues and ideas have come up in public consultations and via an online survey, including:
- reduce aggressive enforcement at metres and lots. I’ve received many complaints of residents being only a few minutes late and receiving a $20 ticket (or more), which is a disincentive to return.
- implement free parking on Saturdays. Businesses have been asking for free Saturday parking to promote more people to come downtown, instead of malls. Parking currently is free after 6pm (when most businesses are closed) and on Sundays and statutory holidays.
- increase the minimum parking time from two hours to three. Residents getting their hair done or enjoying a meal have said two hrs isn’t long enough. Residents also want to be able to transfer their parking stub between lots and on-street if they are stopping in several different places during a three hour period.
- increase parking supply. The consultant’s report indenfitied a current surplus of 421 spaces in the downtown during peak periods, but projected an increase in future demand to be 895 spaces, requiring an additional 474 spaces.
- reduce cost of monthly permits in outlying areas. Respondents to the parking survey said monthly permit fees were too expensive, and recomended “zone” pricing, where lots closer to Brant Street would be more expensive and lots further away much cheaper. Such policy would make it easier for all people working in the downtown to pay for their own parking.
What do you think? Send me your ideas for improving the parking situation downtown, or comments on the suggestions above, by clicking below or send me an email at meedwardm@burlington.ca
My take: The suggestions above from residents and businesses are a reasonable accommodation to address the parking challenges downtown. I support extending the minimum parking to 3hrs, free parking on Saturday, reducing fees for outlying lots, working toward addressing future parking supply, and asking all people working in the downtown to pay for their own parking.
Posted in Parking
3 Comments
Multiple initiatives underway to ensure vibrant downtown
The city recently held an art contest, asking residents to draw a picture of what makes our city great. All three winning entries focused on the downtown, and in particular our waterfront area. View artwork here
Clearly, residents across the city take pride and ownership in the downtown, regardless of where they live.
Cities are only as healthy as their downtowns, so ensuring a vibrant downtown for Burlington is good not only for those of us who live and work here, but for the health of our city as a whole.
The downtown faces some unique challenges, and unique opportunities. There are several initiatives underway to understand those challenges and opportunities and ensure a bright future for downtown.
Your view
The task group will be seeking public input on the challenges and opportunities in the downtown. Watch for those opportunities. Got an idea or a comment? Please click here to comment or email me at meedwardm@burlington.ca.
Next steps
The task group will be formulating recommendations for action, and divide up “who does what” among the participating agencies, to reduce overlap and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
My take: A healthy city requires a healthy downtown. A key focus for me for the balance of this council term of office will be ensuring a vibrant downtown, and moving beyond talk to ensure recommendations become actions.
