Lisa Kearns l Councillor l Burlington.ca/Ward2 |
|
Welcome to November - our community is alive with compassion and resilience. As Covid fatigue sets in, we must renew our pledge to follow public health measures. Our businesses, employees, and residents are inspiring in the ways we are adapting and leaning into community values. More than ever, so many are proud to call Burlington home.
I was humbled to join our Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 for their Friday Night Fish & Chips to hand out these newly printed Poppy window placards. You can download and print your own placard to place in your window - showing support for our Royal Canadian Legion, our veterans and their families.
My office continues to work at full capacity, I can be reached through e-mail at [email protected].
Keep well,
Lisa
|
|
COVID-19 Response
City Hall News
- Agendas - What's Happening at City Council in November?
- Brock University
- Budget 2021
- Burlington Safe Restart
- Community Planning Update
- Outdoor Patios
-
Ranked Ballots - Nov. 5
- Sport Games Paused on City Fields
-
Telephone Town Hall - Nov. 18
- Windrow Clearing
Ward 2 News
- Burlington Downtown - Virtual AGM
- Halton Region - Basement Flooding Mitigation
-
Leaf Collection in Ward 2 - week of Nov. 23
- Maple Trail
-
Metrolinx GO Rail Layover
- Parking Downtown in December
-
Ward 2 Virtual Community Update - Nov. 19
Planning + Development
- Adopted Official Plan
-
Downtown Urban Growth Centre & Major Transit Station Area - Nov 19 & 25
- Interim Control By-law
- Pre-Application Public Meetings
- 2243, 2269 Fairview Street and 864 Drury Lane
- Applications Appealed
- Ward 2 Current Projects
Community
In & Around Town
In Closing
|
|
Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework
On Nov. 3, the Ontario Government announced the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. The framework is meant to ensure that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools and businesses open, maintaining health system capacity and protecting vulnerable people, including those in long-term care.
|
|
As indicated above, the framework takes a gradual approach that includes introducing preventative measures earlier to help avoid broader closures and allow for additional public health and workplace safety measures to be introduced or removed incrementally. It categorizes public health unit regions into five levels:
- Green-Prevent
- Yellow-Protect
- Orange-Restrict
- Red-Control
- Grey-Lockdown, a measure of last and urgent resort.
Each level outlines the types of public health and workplace safety measures for businesses and organizations. These include targeted measures for specific sectors, institutions and other settings.
|
|
As the Province continues to expand access to real-time data, enhancements are also being made to Ontario.ca/coronavirus, Ontario's one-stop shop for information on COVID-19. Information about the spread of the virus, and public health and health system capacity will now be available on the website. This includes local cases by public health unit regions, the total number of cases, resolved cases, deaths, and tests completed and how many are positive.
|
|
For a complete list of COVID-19 Additional Resources, scroll down to the very bottom of this newsletter. |
|
Agendas - What is Happening at City Council in November?
Agenda items of note specifically to Ward 2 include: (select the Committee name to view the complete agenda)
- Public Tree Removal Report for 2477 Queensway Drive (request to remove 8 city trees in order to proceed with submitted site plan application)
- Parking capacity measures at Beachway and Lowville Park
- Financial Status report as at Sept. 30
- Bill 197 Covid-19 Economic Recovery Act
- 2021 Rates and Fees
- Future of LaSalle Park
|
|
Due to COVID-19, the above meetings will be conducted as virtual meetings. Only the chair of the meeting, along with a clerk and audio/visual technician will be in Council Chambers, with all other staff, members of Council and delegations participating in the meeting by calling in remotely. The meeting will be live webcasted, as usual, and archived on the city website. Read more.
|
|
Brock University
Brock University is coming to our city! I was delighted to participate in a recent conference call with Brock University President Gervan Fearon and Meaghan Rusnell
and personally extend an enthusiastic welcome on behalf of our community.
|
|
Budget 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event that is having a significant financial burden on the city. These financial impacts are the result of restrictions designed to reduce the transmission of the virus within our community. The 2021 budget will incorporate the latest information available while identifying risks and pressures. There will be a continued focus on core service delivery, continuous improvement and finding cost savings in all program areas to mitigate the tax increase. Visit Key Budget Dates for upcoming opportunities to become involved. I will keep you posted as well.
|
|
Community Planning Update
At a recent Council Workshop, staff provided an overview of Community Planning by way of a presentation which outlined capacity, responsibilities, current and future state, the many studies and reviews underway and business process improvements including digital transition.
|
|
Winter Patio Program
The Temporary Outdoor Patio program has been extended until Oct. 31, 2021. Winterized temporary covered patios or tents will be permitted on restaurant patios so long as they are in accordance with applicable regulations such as bylaw, fire, snow clearance and zoning requirements to protect public health and safety in the event of heavy snowfall or ice.
To reduce the cost burden to restaurants, the City of Burlington has created a $5000 total grant program to reimburse the $280 fee associated with each building permit approval. Restaurants that would like to operate a temporary patio throughout the winter season must inform the City of Burlington by Nov. 8, 2020.
|
|
Telephone Town Hall
The City is hosting its sixth Telephone Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 18, between 6 and 7:30 p.m. to share information and answer resident questions about our community and COVID-19.
Do you have questions you would like addressed? Please email me and I will share with the Panel. Please note that I am not registered as a Panelist to save the cost of my attendance. I will be listening in, as always. I am thankful for the community leaders that have been supportive of this great forum to keep our community connected and up to date with accurate information.
|
|
Windrow Clearing Program
What is a windrow? Windrow is the pile of snow that is left at the bottom of driveways by roadway plows. The city provides a Windrow Clearing Program for persons with disabilities. Registration for this Program is open Oct. 14 to Nov. 6.
|
|
Burlington Downtown - AGM
The Board and staff of your Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) are proud to announce their 2020 Annual General Meeting - a virtual pre-recorded AGM to watch at your own pace and “catch up on ALL things Downtown”.
At this meeting you’ll learn about the changes to the BDBA's 2020 work plan, parking, marketing and events, budget and immediate supports available to your business. As your Council-appointed representative actively working with the BDBA this term, the AGM provided a great opportunity to reflect on what has been done, achievements and what's ahead. I'm pleased to share the virtual AGM video, watch my address starting at minute 17.
|
|
Halton Region - Basement Flooding Mitigation
Plans are underway to enhance the wastewater collection system on various streets within our Ward to mitigate basement flooding risks. The project area includes Brant Street, Rambo Crescent, Blathwayte Lane, Elgin Street, and Lakeshore Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021.
|
|
Leaf Collection
Leaf collection for Ward 2 is scheduled for the week of Nov. 23, and can only occur with good weather. Call the RPF Leaf Hotline at 905 333-6166 and press 8 to be connected to a recorded message with information about this year’s Loose-Leaf Collection Program. For any property specific concerns, please email [email protected]
|
|
Maple Trail
You likely know it as "the Hydro Path", at its Oct. 19 meeting, Council approved the naming of multi-use trails including Maple Trail as the name for the multi-use recreational trail located east of Maple Avenue between Ontario Street and Graham’s Lane. Read the report.
Especially as residents have stayed local, this trail has been well enjoyed. Glad to see so many out staying healthy and active.
|
|
Metrolinx GO Rail Layover
As at Oct. 29, Metrolinx advises that a Fall date public engagement session 'Round 3' has yet to be set; however you can sign up with Metrolinx to receive notification. I will also keep you posted.
The layover would be a shunting / washing yard for ~20+ tracks of frequent train activity. I have expressed to Metrolinx that this layover is not optimal for the initially proposed site on Plains Rd. (behind Longo's) as residents expressed the following:
- too close to established and future residential
- does not create local jobs so people can work close to where they live
- potential environmental effects (TBD) not suitable for an urban area
- noise pollution may have a negative effect on residents
- not the most compatible use of this land that is very close to major transit
I strongly encourage engagement on this matter through the outlined process above. If you wish to discuss further, there are a number of residents putting together a submission. Contact me if you would like to get involved.
|
|
Parking Downtown in December
Feedback on the program has been loud and clear - we listened. December Free P!, the annual program for free daytime parking in December, will be paused this year. Burlington’s downtown will continue to provide visitors with access to our vibrant downtown shopping and dining experiences. The holidays are a great time to rediscover downtown Burlington and all that the local shops, restaurants and businesses have to offer. Parking will still be free after 6 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, year-round. Additional refinements to parking are ongoing and your ideas are welcomed.
|
|
Ward 2 Virtual Community Update Meetings
The next Ward 2 Community Update meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
|
|
Planning + Development - Where are we at? |
|
Downtown Urban Growth Centre and Major Transit Station Area
At its Aug. 24 meeting, Council unanimously approved requesting the Region of Halton adjust the boundary of the downtown Urban Growth Centre (UGC) to generally align with the lands in proximity to the Burlington GO Station, and to remove the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) designation from the Downtown. The city is now working with Halton Region through its Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Regional Official Plan to remove the MTSA designation and adjust the Downtown UGC.
|
|
Next steps:
The Region is looking for feedback on a new supplemental discussion paper about the Major Transit Station Area and Urban Growth Centre in Downtown Burlington. The Region has been working with the City to reconsider the MTSA designation and to examine options to adjust the UGC boundary to generally align with lands around the Burlington GO Station. The full discussion paper can be downloaded from the Region’s summary webpage:
|
|
You are invited to a Public Information Centre (PIC) on this supplemental Discussion Paper online or by phone on the dates and times listed below:
-
Online: Visit halton.ca/ropr on the date of the PIC to access the Zoom webinar
- By phone: Call 1-855-703-8985 (Toll Free) and use the meeting IDs below
PIC 1 = Thursday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m.
PIC 2 = Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
Additional ways to participate:
-
E-mail [email protected] to submit comments directly to project staff or request a more focused consultation session to address your interests
-
Complete a topic-specific questionnaire on the supplemental Discussion Paper by December 22, 2020.
-
To learn more about the review process, submit questions in advance or request presentation materials, visit halton.ca/ropr, email [email protected] or call 311 to connect with a member of the project team.
|
|
Interim Control By-law (ICBL)
At the Jan. 30 Special Council Meeting, Council approved the revised recommendations from the findings of the ICBL Land Use Study. The city has received appeals to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) for both Official Plan Amendment 119 and Zoning By-law Amendment 2020.418 which have been filed with the City Clerk. As a result, the ICBL remains in effect and will remain in effect until LPAT has issued a final decision on each appeal.
|
|
Planning - Pre-Application Public Consultation Meetings |
|
Thank you to those who were able to virtually participate in October's Pre-Application meetings (3) whereby the proponents shared the proposed plans with the community, followed by the opportunity for residents to ask questions, share concerns and comments. As the Ward 2 Councillor, I listened intently to the valid concerns and issues raised by the community. When the city receives a formal application, I will work hard to ensure our residents are listened to so that our community remains the best place to live, raise a family, retire or run a business.
The three meetings included:
|
|
1134-1167 Plains Road East
Molinaro Group
Proposal:
- Lot A: Two 25-storey residential mixed-use towers and podium, with 426 units and retail space at grade
- Lot B: One 25-storey residential mixed-use and podium with 316 units, retail space at grade, and 7 separate townhouse units
- Lot C: One six-storey residential mixed-use building with 108 units and retail space at grade
|
|
Brant and Ghent Intersection
Molinaro Group
Proposal:
- Lot A: Two 25-storey residential mixed-use towers and podium, with 426 units and retail space at grade
- Lot B: One 25-storey residential mixed-use and podium with 316 units, retail space at grade, and 7 separate townhouse units
- Lot C: One six-storey residential mixed-use building with 108 units and retail space at grade
|
|
535-551 Brant Street
Renimmob Properties Limited
Proposal:
- 26-storey mixed-used building
- 248 residential units, including one, two and three bedroom units
- Ground floor commercial space
NEED TO KNOW:
- I own property in proximity to this proposal and am not in conflict of interest per the City appointed Integrity Commissioner. This means I will not have to recuse myself from any planning conversations
- The proponent did not contact my office or set a meeting to review a potential application; whilst this is customary, it is not mandatory. I learned of this proposal at the exact same time as the public did in the public forum
- Residents have struck a new residents association; Wellington Community Residents Association to speak out on this proposal
-
Residents have started a PETITION
|
|
Planning + Development - Applications |
|
2243, 2269 Fairview Street and 864 Drury Lane
CLV Group Developments
Proposal:
- 7 residential towers on top of 4 mixed-use podiums
- Overall heights ranging between 29 and 37 storeys
- Podium heights ranging from 2, 5 and 6 storeys
- A total of 2,456 residential units of mixed type and tenure
- Commercial space as well as shared amenity space
- 5 levels of underground parking + a 4-storey parking structure
- Pedestrian connections to surrounding neighbourhood & Burlington GO Station
|
|
Status:
- Site Plan Application is under review.
|
|
Planning + Development - Applications Appealed |
|
Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) Appeals
Status as at early Oct. 2020:
- 11 Appeals of major development to LPAT
- 31 Appeals of the Interim Control By-law
- 1 Appeal of a Committee of Adjustment decisions
|
|
New Appeal:
2107 Old Lakeshore Road, 2119 Lakeshore Road
The city has received an appeal from Lakeshore (Burlington) Inc. as the statutory deadline for Council to make a decision on a planning file for a 27-storey tower at Lakeshore Road and Old Lakeshore Road lapsed on Oct. 1 (120 days after the application was deemed complete, plus the duration of the COVID-19 emergency declaration). Read more.
Ward 2 LPAT appeals include:
|
|
Ward 2 Current Projects
To find out more about Planning applications and development projects underway in Ward 2, visit Ward 2 Current Projects. Project pages include details, timelines and contact information.
|
|
Get Involved Burlington
Your feedback is important! Register for the city's Get Involved Burlington online engagement portal to receive updates on city projects, participate in surveys, provide feedback and have your say.
|
|
Heated Patios
It’s an important time for all of us to support local as often as we can. Bundle up and come enjoy an outside patio this fall. Support our restaurants who have had to make many changes to accommodate safe dining amidst the pandemic.
|
|
Halton Climate Collective (HCC) - Nov. 19
HCC invites the community to join in a virtual discussion with Sheila Watt-Cloutier, author of "The Right to be Cold", a book which gives an authentic perspective and personal reflections into the challenges and impacts in Northern Canada.
|
|
Halton Police - Lock it or Lose it
A reminder from our Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) to lock your vehicle at night. Over the past few weeks, there has been a significant rise in theft incidents occurring overnight and involve thieves entering unlocked vehicles to steal loose change and other valuables from inside.
|
|
Halton Police - Project #Noisemaker
From June 10 to Oct. 31, HRPS ran its 2020 Project #Noisemaker strategic enforcement campaign. This campaign was in response to complaints from residents (including those I received and shared with the HRPS) about loud and unnecessary noise from vehicles which been altered by removing mufflers or modifying exhaust systems. Project #Noisemaker took aim at illegal modifications, unsafe motor vehicles, and aggressive driving. More than 1,420 charges were laid region-wide.
|
|
Halton Police - Youth Advisory Council
Are you a youth aged 14-18 living in Halton? Do you want to inspire change using your voice and diverse perspectives? Do you want to drive change within our Police Service and the community? HRPS is recruiting for its first-ever Youth Advisory Council.
|
|
Remembrance Day
While we can’t gather together as usual to honour our veterans this Remembrance Day, there are other ways to show your support for our veterans in honour of the service and sacrifice of our heroes:
|
|
YWCA's Women of Distinction Awards
This year's Courage of COVID Awards are dedicated to highlighting women in Hamilton and Halton who have made a real impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Award categories include frontline workers, innovators, advocates, change-makers, and everyday heroes who rolled up their sleeves in response to the pandemic. Nominations are open until Jan. 11, 2021.
|
|
North Coal Kitchen & Bar
Recently welcomed North Coal Kitchen & Bar to our amazing business community. For the past two years, North Coal has been creating exception experiences for its customers through events, festivals, and proprietary retail collection. Now you can receive The North Coal experience at their Kitchen & Bar ... with a Canadiana nod or course, eh!
|
|
Please consider donating today - visit Burlington Food Bank for a full list of the most convenient ways to give.
Thank you to the many volunteers and organizations supporting those less fortunate in our community.
|
|
During these different times, it is important to find a few moments each day to appreciate the beauty around us.
I encourage everyone to get outside for a hike, walk, bike ride or just to take a few deep breaths. Mental health is as important as physical health.
Thank you to everyone for staying in this together, taking this seriously and above all for being kind and respectful of one another.
Keep well,
Lisa Kearns
Ward 2 Councillor
City of Burlington & Region of Halton
DIRECT CELL PHONE: 289-962-2679
|
|
Links & Resources:
Please check these frequently. Information is changing quickly so these trusted online sources are the best ways to get the most up-to-date information:
Mental Health Support:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
