Archive for April, 2011
Residents concerned over Ghent projects
Dozens of residents turned out to two meetings in March on projects planned for Ghent Ave.
Three, three storey walkups:
A property owner on Ghent, close to Prospect, has assembled three properties and developed some draft ideas for the site, including townhomes or three, three storey buidlings. Either concept would require zoning changes. Nothing has been oifficially submitted to the city, and instead the builder presented the ideas to the community. At the meeting residents expressed concerns about traffic, drainage, and general increased density, but said they would be more supportive of a townhome type of concept on a larger parcel of assembled land. The property owner is considering that feedback, and I will continue to keep you posted.
Trigianni retirement home:
The proposed 4-storey senior’s home meets zoning requirements but requires variances for a sideyard setback on the West, a front yard setback to accommodate a covered driveway, and a parking variance. A parking study has determined that the spaces being planned will accommodate staff and visitors, and will be sufficient for residents, not all of whom will own cars.
Residents expressed concerns about the height of the building (it’s between multi-storey buildings to the West and single family homes to the East) increased traffic and noise, and mostly about overflow parking onto nearby streets. Staff and the builder will continue to work with residents to mitigate these concerns.
My Take: My goal is to ensure residents concerns are taken into consideration during the planning stages for these projects. I will continue to keep you updated.
Updates and upcoming events
Read updates on Freeman Station, campaign expenses, naming of a new school, Burlington’s strategic plan. Plus, find out about upcoming meetings and events: Freeman Station fundraiser, community cleanup, Ward 2 advisory committee.
Townhomes proposed for Elizabeth
Oakville builder John Matas is proposing a development of 15 three-storey luxury townhomes on Elizabeth St, between Caroline and Maria. The project, which backs onto the Stonecroft townhouses on Pearl, would require several minor variances. I met with the builder last week to learn more, and suggested a neighbourhood meeting. Stay tuned for dates.
My Take: Based on what I’ve seen so far, the development will enhance and blend with the existing neighbourhood. Your thoughts?
Pier delayed to 2013 unless new solution found
Next update: April 20, Community Services Com., 6:30pm, City Hall
You could have heard a pin drop in council chambers when senior staff revealed in March that the retender package for the pier likely won’t go to market till mid-July, with tenders not expected back till Sept. 26. That means this process will cost the city a year. Remember the previous council voted to retender last September!
I didn’t vote to retender the pier because of these kinds of delays. I’m also concerned about continuing our legal battle, which may end up being a Pyrrhic victory: we could win, but at what cost to delays, transparency and legal fees?
My take: I’m glad council and the public will now get regularly scheduled updates on the pier. I still hold out hope that the parties to this dispute will come back to the negotiating table before the tender goes out, and offer a reasonable solution to finish the pier, either with the current contractor or a consortium of other contractors. I’ve always preferred a negotiated settlement to a litigated one – so long as it protects taxpayers and delivers a quality, cost-effective project.
Parking concerns hurting downtown businesses
Our downtown is suffering, with a number of businesses leaving the core in recent months. One of the key issues that downtown businesses have identified is parking – availability, cost, enforcement. Businesses say their clients are going elsewhere because of parking concerns.
My Take: Taxpayers, and local businesses who are already struggling to survive downtown, should not be subsidizing municipal employee parking. We need a consistent level playing field – either everyone pay for parking or it’s free for all, which would certainly address some of the parking challenges our businesses are facing. I voluntarily pay $104/month into the city’s parking fund for my parking spot.
Speak up on Queensway overdevelopment
Public meeting & vote: April 18, 6:30pm, City Hall
The proposed Queensway/Glenwood School Dr. development of back-to-back, traditional townhouses, and semi-detached homes is set to come before the Community Development Committee of council for a vote April 18.
When I met with city staff about this project, I shared residents concerns that this was too intense. Though there have been some improvements to the project since originally proposed – including a reduction in units, more greenspace, and increased setbacks – the project is still more development than what is allowed.
Worse, while this project was working through the system, the Official Plan was changed last summer to allow back-to-back townhomes which increases permitted densities. Most residents had no idea the change had occurred.
My take:Though there have been some improvements to the project since originally proposed, it is still too intense and does not respect the current zoning or character of the existing neighbourhood. I will not support it as proposed. Residents have said they would support a project that reduces the total unit count to conform to current zoning, increases greenspace, and eliminates the driveway onto Glenwood School Dr. (perhaps swapping it for a footpath).
Council delivers 0.9% tax increase
Your tax bill will see the lowest increase in more than a decade, after councillors passed a 0.9% increase for 2011, implemented a head count freeze for the next four years, and increased funding to our hospital and Handivan, as part of budget deliberations last week. There are also now enough votes to defeat the councillor pay increase, which will be voted on at council on Monday.
Councillors also allocated a $9.3m surplus from 2010, with an extra $1.2m going to the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital redevelopment project (on top of the $1.2m in our base budget), and an additional $500k going to infrastructure renewal (roads and buildings). Budget highlights and details on the surplus disposition are below.
My Take: During the election campaign, many of you told me you wanted the city to rein in spending, focus on priorities, and more closely align spending to economic realities. City taxes have increased by a whopping 75% since 2000 – about 5.6% per year, while our population has only grown by 18%, and inflation by 23%. This budget signals a new focus on fiscal restraint while maintaining or enhancing core priorities for our hospital and seniors.
Please check out the articles covering issues that you've told me matter to you. I value your feedback on them because it informs the decisions I make. If you want to let me or others know about concerns or events in your neighbourhood, please get in touch.