Archive for November, 2011
Master Plan for Burlington Beach under review
Should residents living in the Burlington Beach community of Beachway Park on Lakeshore Road be allowed to stay?
OMB hearing on height limits on Brant St and Old Lakeshore Road
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Multiple initiatives underway to ensure vibrant downtown
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.
Changes approved for Elgin St parkette
Vote at council Nov. 28
Plans have been approved for the Elgin Street parkette to expand the roads and parks maintenance building on that site, and redevelop the remainder of the land through a partnership with Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
My take: The maintenance facility is in terrible condition and no longer acceptable for our staff, so I support the redevelopment but will be working with residents to minimize the impact. I did not support spending the funds at this time on the Apeldoorn project, and suggested we follow the lead of Apeldoorn to put the project on hold given our own significant budget needs, including aging infrastructure and our hospital.
Your view: Do you support moving ahead with the park development now? Would you like to participate in providing public input on the RPM facility? Let me know by leaving a comment below or email at
Last week, the Community Services Committee of council approved construction of a new RPM facility where the old one exists. The new facility would be double the size of the old one. Parisioners at St. Luke’s church attended committee to express concerns about the impact of the facility on the historic park, and potential interference with uses at the church. I have committed to working with residents and staff to ensure the new building blends into the historic neighbourhood and has adequate fencing and shrub or tree screening.
Learn more
Changes suggested by residents to city heritage policies
I believe the government has a role to play in heritage preservation, but believe there needs to be more clarity, transparency, and input from residents on that role.
City reviews economic development options for parking lots
In January, staff are holding a workshop for city council to explore development options for Lots 4 & 5 in downtown Burlington. Lot 4 is on Elizabeth/John St, facing Village Square. Lot 5 is on Brant Street, facing the Queen’s Head pub.
The city previously issued a Request for Expressions of Interest in developing Lot 4 as a prestige office site with additional underground parking. Two bidders came forward. That process came to a halt when McMaster University expressed interest in the site for a satellite campus. Subsequently McMaster relocated to a lot along the QEW.
My Take: I’m pleased we are revisiting the potential for these lots. Lot 4 in particular has potential for office and underground parking development, which would bring much needed jobs, and foot traffic to the downtown, during the day, year round. This would help our local businesses and bring economic benefits to all residents of our city.
What’s your view? What would you like to see on Lots 4 or 5 in downtown Burlington? Click below to read more and comment or send me and email at
Clarity on pier costs
There have been conflicting reports recently on the original cost of the pier, ranging from $9.2m to $12.5m. The anticipated costs when council first approved the project in 2006 were $6.2m. The table below charts the increases over time, sourced completely from city documents. There are important lessons here for all of us to ensure future projects are costed appropriately from the beginning, and stay on budget.
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.