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Dear Ward 1 Residents,
I would like to extend a Happy New Year to everyone and hope that you all had a great holiday season.
There have been some changes to my office this past month and I would like to wish Jessica all the best in her new position with the city and welcome Georgie Gartside to the Ward 1 office. Georgie brings a wealth of experience to my office and she can be reached at georgie.gartside@burlington.ca.
2023 is looking to be a busy year for me with a few new roles on my plate, including:
- Chair of the Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability (CSSRA) Committee
- Deputy Mayor of Business and Red Tape Reduction
- Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) Board appointee
- Tourism Burlington Board member
- Aldershot Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board member
- Burlington Agricultural and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee
- Partnering Aldershot Committee member
We will be looking to schedule some public meetings this year so please follow me on social media and look for dates posted in the next newsletter and local paper.
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Kelvin Galbraith
Ward 1 City and Regional Councillor
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Virtual Town Hall: January 19, 2023, 7 p.m.
Council will be discussing the 2023 budget in early February, and we want your feedback. The 2023 budget will be very challenging due to several factors:
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- revenue losses and increased expenses from COVID-19 impacts;
- the city not keeping up with the services and amenities that a growing community needs;
- required investments into city infrastructure such as roads, buildings and transit; and
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the Province of Ontario's proposed legislation (Bill 23) that will reduce the city's ability to collect fees from developers for future growth-related costs such as parkland, roads, transit and recreation facilities.
How to provide feedback:
You're invited to attend a virtual budget town hall meeting hosted by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Further details: getinvolvedburlington.ca
Register to speak to all members of Council during the budget discussions at the Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability Budget Committee meeting:
Date: Monday, Feb. 6, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Deadline to register: 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023
Register to speak: burlington.ca/delegation
Key Budget Dates:
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Grindstone Creek erosion control public open house
Date: January 25, 2023 at 6 p.m.
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The Grindstone Creek corridor from Unsworth Avenue to Sumach Drive will see restoration work due to channel erosion and slope destabilization, which was identified through an Erosion Control Environmental Assessment Study completed in 2020.
The restoration work will be completed in the four areas shown in green on the following map:
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Public Open House:
You're invited to a virtual public open house to learn more about the restoration work and construction timing:
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023
Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams, Meeting ID: 235 896 804 914, Passcode: jfxMZb
More information: Grindstone Creek Erosion Control Project
Contact:
Arif Shahzad, Senior Project Manager
Telephone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7486
Email: arif.shahzad@burlington.ca
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Tyandaga minor reconstruction road work | |
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The City of Burlington and Halton Region will be doing construction work in 2023 and 2024 on Tyandaga Park Drive, Frontenac Place, Fairway Court and Wakefield Crescent and you're invited to a virtual public meeting to learn more:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023
Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams
Computer/Mobile: Meeting ID: 220 115 403 656, Passcode: 7ER3SV
Telephone: 1-289-768-6441, Phone ID: 884 020 664
Halton Region will be replacing the existing watermain and services. City work includes the replacement of existing curb, sidewalk, roadway asphalt, street lighting upgrades, and the renewal of the Tyandaga Golf Course parking lot.
The location of the work is shown on the following map:
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Complete application received for 1062-1074 Cooke Boulevard | |
The development application by Camarro Developments Inc. for the lands located at 1062-1074 Cooke Blvd. has been deemed complete by city planning staff. The applicant proposes to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to facilitate the redevelopment of the lands. | |
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The proposal comprises of two high-rise residential towers with heights of 30-storeys to the south and 32-storeys to the north, connected via a shared podium with a height of 6-storeys fronting onto Cooke Boulevard and Masonry Court and 3-storeys at the rear. The development would be constructed in two phases. Phase one includes a total of 366 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units. Phase two includes a total of 396 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units. Overall, the development includes a total of 762 residential condominium ownership units.
A statutory public meeting will be scheduled in the coming months, and I will keep you updated with those details.
More information: 1062-1074 Cooke Blvd.
Contact:
Alicia West, Senior Planner
Telephone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7504
Email: alicia.west@burlington.ca
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Offer to Settle accepted for 40-70 Plains Road East | |
At its December 13, 2022 meeting, City Council approved an Offer to Settle for the proposed development at 40-70 Plains Road East. The development will amend the city's Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit a 12-storey residential apartment building with 389 units on the site. | |
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City planning staff reviewed the file and based on the studies provided, their planning advice is that the 12-storey development is acceptable. This advice is contained in the planning analysis approved for public release at the Dec. 13 Council meeting.
The location of this development is within the new delineated boundary of the Aldershot Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) which has been directed by the Province, Halton Region and the City of Burlington to intensify with mixed use residential development. The emerging planning work through the MTSA project can be found on the city's Get Involved Burlington webpage.
This work has indicated that the Aldershot Main Street area allows for 11-storey buildings, but does require transitional considerations to adjoining low density residential developments. This development does meet the 45-degree angular plane which is a requirement of that transition. The 45-degree angular plane is a measure that protects neighbouring properties from view overlook, shadow impacts and more. If a building is within the 45-degree angular plane, measured from the property line, there is no ability from the top of the building to see into the yards of neighbouring buildings. Additionally, to achieve this angular plane, the applicant increased the setback from neighbouring properties, which will allow for planting and growth of larger trees that will provide privacy screening.
A number of changes have been made to the development since it was first introduced that took into account feedback from the community, Council and city staff. Those modifications allowed city planning staff to support the application and recommend the settlement. Staff also evaluated the application based on criteria including adequate off-street parking, scale and massing, compatibility to existing neighbourhood character, parking, and sun shadowing.
As this development has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, the OLT will be the final decision-maker on the file. The next OLT hearing is scheduled on January 23, 2023 where the city's legal representatives will present the Offer to Settle. The hearing isn't a public meeting and only those who have registered as participants can attend and present evidence. If you attended any of the meetings related to this development, or submitted written comments, you are entitled to attend. You can check with the Office of the City Clerk, which keeps a written list, at clerks@burlington.ca.
More information: 40-70 Plains Road East
Contact:
Bill Wallace, Coordinator of Development Review
Telephone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7809
Email: william.wallace@burlington.ca
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Appeal received for 1010 Downsview Drive and 355 Plains Road East
Coletara Development has appealed its Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment applications to the Ontario Land Tribunal for the proposed development at 1010 Downsview Drive and 355 Plains Road East due to a non-decision.
As noted in my last newsletter, a statutory public meeting was held on Dec. 6, 2022 during the Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee meeting so all members of Council could learn about the proposed development. The committee heard from delegates opposed to the development and two letters were also submitted noting concerns.
As the proposed development has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, the OLT will be the final decision-maker on the file.
My Comments:
The process of development in Ontario has been similar to the path that this application has taken. Most developers are appealing their applications to the Ontario Land Tribunal on the 121st day as permitted by the Planning Act and removing the application from further public meetings. All public input collected at the pre-application and statutory meetings will still form part of this file and final development.
More information: burlington.ca/plainsanddownsview
Contact:
Thomas Douglas, Senior Planner
Telephone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7811
Email: thomas.douglas@burlington.ca
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In response to questions I've been receiving about the status of LaSalle Park, I can advise that LaSalle Park continues to be owned by the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Council has not made any decisions respecting the disposition of the property. | |
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While the lease has expired, staff from the two cities maintain regular contact, and the City of Burlington continues to manage and operate the park under the same terms and conditions, as an overhold tenant. This will continue until negotiations on future arrangements are finalized.
I will continue to share updates on the status of LaSalle Park when information is available.
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Burlington Canal Lift Bridge closed for construction | |
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The Burlington Canal Lift Bridge is closed until March 20, 2023 for construction work. In addition to the road being closed, the pedestrian and cycling paths are also closed. Detour signs are in place to direct traffic to alternative routes.
Contact: Public Services and Procurement Canada
| Basement Flooding Mitigation Program upcoming construction in ward 1 | |
Halton Region will be improving the wastewater collection system in areas along Cooke Boulevard, Eagle Drive, Sanford Drive, Kingsway Drive, Ann Avenue and Mansfield Drive, as shown below, in order to reduce the risk of future basement flooding. Survey work took place in the fall of 2022 and work will continue in 2023.
The following areas will see work completed:
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Submit your community-led project for funding
Deadline: February 28, 2023
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The City of Burlington is now accepting applications for the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund. Approved community group-led projects could receive 50 per cent of their funding up to $10,000. The neighbourhood or community group must match this funding with an equal contribution made up through any combination of:
- Volunteer hours
- Donated services
- Donated materials and supplies
- Other funds raised, such as cash donation
Further information: burlington.ca/matchingfund
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What rules are in place to protect trees?
- Which trees are protected under the City’s tree by-laws?
- When do I need or not need a tree permit?
- How do I work around trees without hurting them?
- What do I need to get a Private Tree Permit?
For further information on public or private trees, visit Forest Protection and Tree Permits.
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Applications open for Burlington Arts and Culture Fund | |
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Deadline to Apply: February 3, 2023 at Noon | |
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The fund provides grants to support the creation and presentation of arts and cultural projects in Burlington that reflect the fund's objectives:
- encourage social cohesion, enhance quality of life and stimulate cultural and economic development through direct investment
- enrich how Burlington residents experience and engage with arts and culture
- foster creativity
- nurture the quality and capacity of the arts and culture sector in Burlington
A total of $75,000 in funding is available and the maximum amount awarded for each project grant is $7,000. Applications are reviewed based on four key areas: artistic merit, program merit and strategic initiative, city-wide and community impact, and economic impact.
More information: Arts and Culture Fund
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The City of Burlington maintains 1,900 lane kilometres of roads and 850 kilometres of sidewalks during the winter months. Snow is cleared from roads and sidewalks using the following standards: | |
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- Primary and secondary roads are cleared when snow accumulation reaches 5cm (2 inches)
- Local residential roads are plowed when snow accumulation reaches 7.5cm (3 inches) and when primary and secondary road plowing has been completed. Residential roads are not maintained to bare pavement but are sanded as required at intersections, hills and sharp curves to enhance traction.
- Depending on the weather conditions, snowplows may need to return to primary roads to keep them clear of snow
- Roads will generally be cleared 24-hours after the snowfall has ended. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend this period longer than 24 hours.
- Sidewalk snow clearing begins when snow accumulation reaches 5cm (2 inches). They are salted or sanded as required.
- Off-road pathways (high volume paths only) are cleared within 72 hours after the end of the snowfall
- The city is not responsible for clearing windrows left on driveways when the plow passes.
Snow events - no on-street parking:
The city will declare a snow event when accumulation reaches 7.5cm (3") and no parking is permitted on city streets until after the snow event has been declared over. All existing parking exemptions are invalid during snow events.
Stay updated:
Subscribe to burlington.ca/enews and follow the City of Burlington on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed about snow event declarations, facility closures/re-openings and recreation program changes.
More information: Snow Removal
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Join the Aldershot BIA Board of Directors
Deadline to Apply: January 24, 2023
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The Aldershot Business Improvement Area (ABIA) is looking for new members to join its Board of Directors. Successful candidates must be business owners within the ABIA boundaries and commit 5 to 7 hours per month on a volunteer basis, which includes: | |
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- attending monthly Board meetings (on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 a.m.) and occasional sub-committee meetings;
- attending networking events;
- assisting with strategic planning and attendance at key community and City of Burlington events; and
- providing leadership and strategic oversight according to where your skills lie.
More information: Aldershot BIA
Questions: Andrea Dodd, andrea@aldershotbia.com
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Burlington Food Bank in need of donations | |
Help the Burlington Food Bank re-stock its shelves after the holiday season. Convenient drive-through, drop-off is available: | |
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Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: St. Matthew on-the-Plains, 126 Plains Rd. E.
The top needed items are:
- canned fruit
- canned meat (ham, turkey, chicken)
- juice
- canned tomatoes
- granola bars (nut free)
- rice
- hot cereal
- pasta sauce
- crackers
- school snacks
- shampoo, deodorant, body wash
- toothpaste, toothbrushes
- baby, toddler and adult diapers
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Speak to a live City of Burlington staff person weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.by calling (905) 335-7777.
Alternatively send an email to city@burlington.ca with your city request.
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