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 […]
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.
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 […]
Carol Wootton: Stick to the original agreement.
Thomas C. Riddell: No Those housing Units are need Stand Firm say NO
theresa: In general, it appears that there are too many concessions to developers - and at the non-benefit of tax-payers. If…
Allison Thornton: Councillor Meed-Ward seems to be the only member of council left to give any consideration to the rights of residents.…
Greg Fabian: It was egregious enough to agree to building a 17 storey building and an 8 storey parking garage. Now the…
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 […]
Greg Fabian: It was egregious enough to agree to to a 17 storey building and an 8 storey parking garage only netting…
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…
Scott: It's the insidious way in which developers, sometimes with the aid of the (unaccountable) OMB, manage to get their way,…
Nancy: I recommend that all zoning exceptions granted to the developers of the complex on Caroline and Elizabeth streets be revoked,…
Great presentation in Burlington tonight from Ken Greenberg, architect/urban planner/author. Some key thoughts that stood out for me (and members of the community have been saying many of these things, also) – on community collaboration: In his neighbourhood, the local councillor, residents, developers and planning staff develop a vision for the community, a neighbourhood checklist […]
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…
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…