City of Burlington Budget 2013: Tax increase proposed for 2.3-6.5%

We must do better than a 6.5% increase, and that will require some tough choices.

My priorities for Ward 2 and Burlington in 2013

There are steps we can take, both large and small, short term and long term, that will preserve what we love about the community, and make changes that will make our city even better

Centre turn lane on Lakeshore Road reduced for on-road bike lanes

Residents concerns were set aside.

Pier: Steel delays, wind turbine cancellation reveal poor process

Recent developments with the pier – including faulty steel and welding, and cancellation of the wind turbine – have exposed problems with the information provided to council and our decision-making process. This turn of events has highlighted the importance of learning from past problems on this project. I believe we can – and an important [...]

Pier wind turbine cancelled

The wind turbine planned for the Brant Street pier has been cancelled, after members of the city’s Community Services Committee heard the costs would be prohibitive to proceed, and the benefits negligible.

Report on disclosing pier’s legal fees

In a recent case, the city of Waterloo was required by the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario, upheld by a three-judge divisional court panel, to disclose legal fees up to January of this year, in an ongoing legal battle over RIM Park financing. The city has already been forced by the Commission to release [...]

Citizens present heritage recommendations

The recommendations will provide a service to heritage property owners, rather than a penalty for being on a municipal registry.

Freeman Station lease signed with Ashland

Congratulations to the Friends for obtaining the land lease and moving ahead with the relocation and restoration plans.

Village Square for sale

It has been offered for sale for as a “significant residential development” opportunity, or alternatively as a “re-positioning opportunity”, capitalizing on its historic town square feel and unique shops.

My priorities for Ward 2 and Burlington in 2013

There are steps we can take, both large and small, short term and long term, that will preserve what we love about the community, and make changes that will make our city even better

Free parking downtown?

 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 first two hours. A consultant’s report has recommended further study on free parking, and made a number of other observations and recommendations for parking downtown including: There’s [...]

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.

Comment

My priorities for Ward 2 and Burlington in 2013

There are steps we can take, both large and small, short term and long term, that will preserve what we love about the community, and make changes that will make our city even better

Restrictions approved for night clubs, restaurants with dance floors in mixed use buildings

The complaints I get from Burlington residents about noise are mostly for restaurants with dance floors, not night clubs.

Without jobs, Burlington’s taxes increase

I support a revised strategic focus and funding for BEDC

Hospital redevelopment approved; city contributes $60m

Budget & Corporate Services Comm. Aug. 30, 9:30am, City Hall

Our community hospital has gotten the green light to proceed with a redevelopment that will improve access and patient care for residents. This summer, the province approved a redevelopment for Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital to provide:

• 76 more beds
• 10 new operating rooms
• a new intensive care unit
• larger, enhanced cancer unit
• more parking
• new diagnostic imaging and laboratory areas
• expanded outpatient surgical suite

Provincial funding formulas for all hospitals require that the community pay for 100% of equipment, and 10% of capital costs. This is called the “local share.” On a project this size – more than $300 million – the local share is $120m.

My take: The approval is welcome and long awaited news for our community. As a citizen member of the hospital board of governors since 2008, and now the city council representative on the board, I know the importance of this redevelopment for the health of our residents. Our hospital is a priority for our community. To meet our funding commitment will require an evaluation of all spending, with a focus on core activities. It’s a privilege to be part of making the redevelopment happen – a once in a generation experience that hundreds of residents, staff and community leaders have worked to achieve. My thanks to all involved – this is the first step in a journey to better health for Burlington.

Learn more

My priorities for Ward 2 and Burlington in 2013

There are steps we can take, both large and small, short term and long term, that will preserve what we love about the community, and make changes that will make our city even better

How your input shaped the Fairview GO lands project

This is the first time that residents have been consulted on a site plan before it was filed

Reports commissioned for Beachway Park review

I oppose the Region’s plan of taking the vote there first; it settles the decision and renders a later Burlington council vote irrelevant.

Leveraging our downtown/waterfront for economic development

As a community we will need to leverage this asset to spur economic development downtown. A first step is to decide what kind of downtown and waterfront we want.

City budget focuses on infrastructure, hospital

In March, city council approved a budget that increases our funding for infrastructure and our hospital, resulting in a city tax increase of 3.29%.

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?