Archive for January, 2011
Pier a costly quagmire
Burlington councillors had our first briefing on the pier in December with legal counsel – and unfortunately without the public allowed. That must change.
But there really wasn’t much we learned that was new. The options before us remain the same: tear out the pier, complete it with the current contractor, or re-tender the project. As to costs, regardless of the option we choose, it will be more than any of us will want to pay for this nice-to-have project.
A Ticat Pan Am stadium in Burlington?
Vote passes 5-2 to send for further study
The Ticats are exploring Paletta-owned lands in Aldershot between King and Waterdown roads for a $130 million, 22,000 seat stadium that would also be used for Pan Am games. Just after Christmas, Ticat officials approached Burlington to partner.
Paletta would donate 10 acres of land, moving tax-generating land into public (and non tax-generating) hands.
There may be public and private funding of about $100 million, leaving a potential “funding gap” of up to $30m for capital costs.
Staff direction to study night clubs in condos
To committee Jan. 17
Residents of the Baxter condo on Elizabeth St have contacted me about noise and other nuisances from the Honey West night club in the first floor of their building.
Downtown Burlington is the only area in the city where nightclubs are allowed to co-exist with residences, and our bylaws don’t differentiate between night clubs with loud music, bands and dancing till the wee hours, and restaurants that close at 11.
There used to be a restaurant in the Baxter, and it created no problems for the residents. But there have been ongoing complaints since the restaurant was converted to a night club, including after someone pulled the building’s fire alarm forcing residents (many of whom are seniors) to walk down a dozen flights of stairs at 2 am.
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.