In the next two weeks, council will decide the 2014 budget at several specially scheduled meetings of the Corporate & Community Services Committee, Feb. 11 (capital budget), Feb. 13 (public delegations), and Feb. 20 (discussion and final vote). The starting point for discussions is a staff proposed increase of 4.1%, down slightly from staff’s original(…)
The city is currently in court with the airport seeking to enforce our site alteration by-law for the infilling activity at the airport. In an Advisory Circular (300-009) released Dec. 18, Transport Canada states that the Aeronautics Act does not grant immunity to an aerodrome operator/developer from compliance with all other valid provincial legislation or(…)
Close to 100 residents attended a public workshop Feb. 10 to explore the potential of creating a Heritage Conservation District on the Mount Nemo Plateau. A preliminary study of Mount Nemo by Heritage Consultant Andre Scheinman found that the area had the potential to be a heritage district for both its landscape features (lot patterns,(…)
Rob Herriot: Firstly how much will this adventure cost the taxpayers? Ultimately even with a designation we will require competent representation when…
Margaret Lindsay Holton: As I understand it, the proposed 'by law' to undertake the 'study' is intended to a place a ONE YEAR…
Community Development Halton and ETAG have the pleasure to invite curious adults 55+ to attend: Lifelong Learning: SOCIAL MEDIA workshop with ETAG Thursday, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Bay Area Learning Centre 860 Harrington Court, Burlington Georgetown Room, located at the main entrance. This workshop will include discussions and interactive demonstrations on topics such(…)
Philanthropy is giving voluntarily for the common good. This is your chance to nominate a person, couple or family who have supported Burlington in remarkable ways! Please submit nominations on or before March 17. Our recipient(s) will be honoured at the Masquerade Ball on October 25. Click here for more information and nominate a deserving(…)
Currently, the city (through taxes) pays into the parking reserve fund the equivalent of the parking benefit, based on number of permits in each lot at market value. The city, through taxes, also makes a contribution to the transit fund for the monthly market value of employee passes distributed. Residents are subsidizing city staff parking(…)
Burlington has spent $1,228,040 on legal fees since 2008 in the ongoing litigation with the original contractor, engineer and others who worked on the pier. The fees were disclosed by Burlington’s City Manager Jeff Fielding at a press conference this morning at City Hall. (Presentation here Brant St Pier news conference Jan 30 2014 final 9.30 am)(…)
The Ontario Municipal Board has given the green light for Branthaven’s proposed 58-unit townhome project on Ghent Ave. to proceed. The project replaces single family homes on eight assembled lots, and reduces greenspace from roughly 70% down to 30%. Local resident Dr. Emil Sekerinski, whose home backs onto the development site, had appealed the project(…)
To Committee: Wed. Oct. 16, 9:30am; To council: Wed. Oct. 23, 9:30am Regional staff are recommending that the private homes along Beachway be bought and removed for parkland, and that an updated Master Plan for the beach and property acquisition strategy be developed by April 2015. The acquisition policy would be developed in conversation with(…)
Without an aggressive strategy of job creation, Burlington residents will see their property taxes spike, services cut or development expand into rural areas.
Here’s why: Providing all of the services required for residents – community services and infrastructure for example – far exceeds the tax revenues collected. By contrast, the “industrial, commercial, institutional” tax class – or “ICI” -pays more than double the residential property tax rate, but only costs a fraction of that to service. There can be as much as an 80% profit on industrial taxes, versus a 40% loss on residential taxes.
A balance between residential and ICI tax revenue is critical to municipal health, yet currently, residential taxes account for 82% of Burlington’s tax revenue, versus 18% from the commercial/industrial sector.
Non residential growth has essentially flatlined in Burlington over the past 15 years, while residential growth has almost tripled. Burlington used to see double digit employment growth; now, 2% annual growth is “optimistic.” When residential growth outpaces economic growth, the city is left with three unpalatable choices: cut services, dramatically increase property taxes, or expand development into the rural area.
Priorities in 2013 - Ward 2 News Burlington | Marianne Meed Ward : Ward 2 News Burlington | Marianne Meed Ward: [...] taxpayers, residential tax rates will continue to increase. As I wrote about last month (here), the Burlington Economic Development Corporation…
Burlington City : Ward 2 News Burlington | Marianne Meed Ward: [...] focus on expanding our Industrial-Commercial-Institutional tax base (as I wrote about recently here. Burlington’s growth has come primarily from…
To Development & Infrastructure Committee, Mon. Sept. 9, 1pm Carriage Gate Group Inc. wants a reduction in the agreed-upon community benefits negotiated in exchange for extra height on the medical/parking/condo complex at Caroline, John, Elizabeth and Maria Streets, approved in 2010. Specifically, the request is to change the amount of affordable housing from 73% of(…)
Greg Fabian: It was egregious enough to agree to building a 17 storey building and an 8 storey parking garage. Now the…
Allison Thornton: Councillor Meed-Ward seems to be the only member of council left to give any consideration to the rights of residents.…
theresa: In general, it appears that there are too many concessions to developers - and at the non-benefit of tax-payers. If…
Thomas C. Riddell: No Those housing Units are need Stand Firm say NO
Carol Wootton: Stick to the original agreement.
: 1. The city’s long-term vision for the park can be achieved without removing the residents that live near the park. Save for one property, the existing homes are not on the waterfront; don’t impede public waterfront access; and are outside the environmentally sensitive areas and dynamic beach. 97% of the park area is already(…)
Policy to acquire beach homes to committee Sept. 10 & 11 - Ward 2 News Burlington | Marianne Meed Ward: […] 1. End the blanket acquisition policy. If there is only interest in a select number of strategic properties over the…
Jim: Thank you for speaking out about this. Jim Dimanis
Ria Plas: Without the Residents - I wouldn't use the Path.
When our family took a two week holiday this summer along the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back through Yosemite Valley, I expected to be wowed by great urban centres and spectacular nature. What I didn’t expect was a lesson in community building.
This area is home to soaring cliffs, oceanfronts, waterfalls, mountain meadows and some of the biggest trees in the world. It’s also where I spent my earliest years.
My father worked for a time as a park ranger in Yosemite National Park and our family lived in the park. I recall being “homeschooled” in the front of a camper with flashcards as we ascended dirt switchback roads to get to our cabin (occasionally getting out for own own safety when the road was particularly steep and narrow). My mom remembers asking what I’d like to learn first. My response, “Well I don’t know anything yet it doesn’t matter where we start.” My family would remind me of that in later years as we debated issues across the dinner table.
In retrospect, when you’re motivated to learn, create, build, preserve, it truly doesn’t matter where you start – so long as you do start.
There’s a growing consensus among residents that the City needs to uphold our Official Plan (OP) and Zoning Bylaw in approving development projects. All of the major developments approved recently in Ward 2 required changes that were double, triple or more than what is permitted in the OP/Zoning Bylaw; or allowed different building types – back-to-back towns, for example – in an area zoned(…)
Nancy: I recommend that all zoning exceptions granted to the developers of the complex on Caroline and Elizabeth streets be revoked,…
Scott: It's the insidious way in which developers, sometimes with the aid of the (unaccountable) OMB, manage to get their way,…
Developer wants reduction of community benefits; staff propose approval - Ward 2 News Burlington | Marianne Meed Ward: […] we should not be using it, but rather should stick to our own Official Plan and Zoning. I recently wrote about…
Greg Fabian: It was egregious enough to agree to to a 17 storey building and an 8 storey parking garage only netting…
Burlington and Halton Councils will vote in fall 2013 on acquiring the private homes on the Burlington Beach. The community has existed here for more than a 100 years. Some residents have lived their whole lives here; many have raised their children here. Residents have an emotional connection to the community they love. They don’t want to leave.
Sign the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/164/175/741/let-us-stay/
Fill out the survey: http://burlingtonwaterfront.org
10 reasons to keep residents near the Burlington beach: […] on the beach more than 70 years, and spoke about their experience and hopes for their future in a video. We…
Heritage Burlington has completed a review of the three historic properties in Village Square, and concluded that they all have historic value worthy of heritage designation.
The properties are:
Village Square is a unique historic pocket in the downtown that is worth preserving, especially as the blocks around it are developed with modern buildings. I have and continue to meet with the current owners and prospective purchasers to convey the community’s interest in preserving Village Square, and share the results of the heritage studies.
Nancy: Why not use the ten million dollars that the city wants to spend buying up the properties on the Beachway…
Recommendation report & decision in Sept/Oct Buying up 30 homes near Beachway Park would cost up to $10 million, to gain an additional 1% of greenspace, according to a report on the park released in April. Beachway Park is part of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park, which includes Spencer Smith Park in downtown Burlington.(…)
Anne Schilte: I as a Burlington resident quite familiar with all on this subject I suggest if we keep the 30 homes…
paul_g: 1% of what? I think that is a misleading number as it is without a proper context. Second following Hamilton…
Bryce Leggatt: Leave the residents where they are. The arguments put forward to leave them in place are compelling. I would however…
Jerry Fairbridge: Absolutely agree with you. Beachway Park works as it is. The community adds life. It's good to have an organic…
marty grogan: marty grogan just catching up with this issue. I use the beach a lot in the summer and sometimes in…
We need a made-in-Burlington policy to provide clarity around fundraising and events sponsored by members of council.
The complaints I get from Burlington residents about noise are mostly for restaurants with dance floors, not night clubs.
Vote at council: Mon. July 4, 7pm, City Hall The pier will cost $15 million, excluding legal fees and staff time spent on the project, based on a budget presented last week at council’s Community Services Committee meeting. The committee (myself excluded) supported an additional $5.7 million for this phase of the project, planned for(…)
Lleahy55: Just finish it. No matter what it is going to cost more money. Hopefully it will bring more revenue into…
Bbramhall: This new contract approach has more risks than most think. First 5.7m extra will be more like 7m +. Having…
Art & Marie Masur: We are anxious to see completion of the pier as many others are. As a former boater we know it…
Dnisbet: Unless you have a very large boat take a long stepladder with you if you plan to tie up and…
Laurie A.: I am really looking forward to walking on the beautiful finished pier. The sooner the better. In the long run,…
Dee: Rather than have a lasting testament to a major folly, I'd prefer it be taken down. I do appreciate the…
Joan Turbitt: I see a lot of savings here. It is my suggestion that savings from the employee parking, or the PAC…