Marianne Meed Ward
7pm / May 13 * May 27 * June 10 /
What if…developers, businesses and residents could work together to build our downtown – finding common ground instead of fighting?
Residents want to help shape development early in the process. I’ve reached out to major land owners downtown, city staff, businesses and residents to launch a discussion about the future of our downtown. Let’s see where we can agree – then try to reflect that in our Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw update.
Workshop 1: May 13, Burlington Lion’s Club, 471 Pearl St.
You’ll learn about existing policies, what’s up for review, where development is likely to occur, and start to map out principles around design, compatibility, height, density, heritage, jobs, office/retail, green space, parking, affordability and more.
Workshop 2: May 27, Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St.
We’ll roll up our sleeves and discuss “what should go where” on various development parcels downtown. The owner of Brant at Ghent (north & south east sides) has asked for specific input on the two sites before submitting an application.
Workshop 3: June 10, Burlington Lion’s Club, 471 Pearl St
We’ll identify where we have consensus and draft some recommendations for updating the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law.
Workshop 4:
We’ll have a chance to review recommendations by staff for updating our policies, which will ultimately go to council for approval.
RSVP:
The workshops build on each other, but don’t worry if you miss one: materials will be online or by calling. Seating is limited (but free!) so please RSVP your attendance to my assistant, Georgie Gartside, at or 905-335-7600, ext. 7368.
I heard an interview on CBC Radio 1 this week by author Jackie Burns about her new children’s book, Condo Kids. The interviewer asked the author’s son why he liked living in a condo. He said because there was so much for he and his friends to do in the building – a swimming pool, games room with shuffleboard and foosball, a squash court where they could also play floor hockey and basketball and a nearby park. If developers included these kinds of family friendly amenities in their buildings along with a minimum of 10% affordable family housing, and don’t try to build towers along the waterfront, then perhaps they may gain greater social acceptance.
This is a fantastic idea. I look forward to attending all of them. I am very interested in hearing what developers have planned and pleased that they will accept our input. I am certain the community will be thrilled to discuss how they would like to see Burlington go forward. There are a lot of ideas worth listening to. There are many thins missing from downtown. I think everyone will be pleased to come to a consensus on the building of downtown. We love Burlington’s Beauty, and Natural look, the fact that we can see the lake and hopefully have the shops and buildings to buy what we need and want, and also to live in places we want. I admire the Ghent st. group for considering to meet and discuss with residents they sound like an example of how things can and should be done.