 By Pepper Parr
August 24th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a very bumpy ride for the Molinaro Group and their Paradigm Development on Fairview.
They were the first developer to propose a development alongside the GO Train tracks.
They were one of the first developers to hold a community meeting to hear what residents thought of their development before it went to the Planning department.
The development was to be done in two phases. The first phase has been completed and the company wants to proceed with the second phase.
 The three buildings on the North side are basically completed. The developer now wants to begin with phase 2 and learns that a bus shelter is to be built at the edge of where the final two buildings will be erected. They got caught in the Interim Control Bylaw (ICBL) that put everything in the Urban Growth Centre on hold for what was originally going to be a year. They hadn’t done anything wrong – the agreement with the OMB that approved the development required them to go back to the city for specific site plan approval for the second phase.
It was a technical point that would not have been an issue if the ICBL had not been put in place – they would have shovels in the ground.
As the Molinaro Group gets ready to begin work on phase 2 they learn that the city wants to install a transit shelter right in front of the development site.
Most people would say: What dumb idea. The Planning Consultant for the Molinaros, Ed Fothergill, delegated to Council earlier in the month explaining the situation. Common sense should have prevailed.
 The Paradigm development seen from the Burlington GO station platform. The Molinaros had no problem with the transit shelter – once the development was completed it would add value to the units – having a bus stop right outside the building you live in would be a convenience.
For reasons that aren’t clear yet – the planning people didn’t see it that way.
The Molinaros have said they could move the transit shelter – put it in storage and put it back when the development is complete.
They see it as a hindrance to the trucks that will be entering the site during the construction phase and hazardous to pedestrians waiting for a bus.
The site is right next door to the GO Station where buses come and go on a regular basis.
One would have thought this would be a no-brainer.
Vince Molinaro will be delegating to city council on Monday to see if he can untangle the mess and let some common sense prevail.
The Molinaro consultant has told Council that they will have to oppose the building of the transit shelter at this point.
Working with city hall isn’t supposed to be this hard or time consuming.
 By Pepper Parr
August 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When will schools open in September?
 Gatherings like this inside a school will be possible IF all the students are in the same cohort. The planned date was September 8th, 2020 but there are so many concerns over the number of students there are to be in classrooms – especially at the elementary level; the province is saying that standard class sizes are the rule and parents arenpushing back really hard saying they want no more than 15 students in classrooms.
The Toronto Public School Board is looking at smaller classes as well as a start date of September 15th and staggering the begin date.
Parents are concerned. The school boards have to plan for whatever shows up on the day school starts and in many cases the school boards don’t know what a majority of the parents plan to do.
 How many students will be allowed in each bus? Who will supervise the students while they are on the bus? Will they keep their children at home and home-school them? Will they form a pod with other parents and hire a teacher to run the classes? Will the parents opt for having their children taught at home – on-line with the services the Board will provide or will they send their children to school. If they choose the later – how will they get to school? No one is certain just what the school buses are going to be able to handle.
On top of all this there is the issue of face masks.
Teachers will be decked out in full PPE gear – they may look like visitors from some other planet.
It is going to be stressful on the younger students.
 No carpets on the floor; no soft cuddly toys, no sandbox and maybe masks. Kindergarten, both junior and Senior is going to be really different.
No carpets on the floor. Masks required – maybe. No soft cloth or other covering toys, no sand box.
On Wednesday the Halton District School Board will be holding a virtual Town Hall that parents can call into and ask questions.
The Halton Medical Officer of Health will be part of the panel that will include the Director of Education and the senior superintendents that have been developing different scenarios to handle every possible situation they can think of – right up to shutting a school down if there is an outbreak
There is a very nervous parent community out there that does not feel they have the information, and assurance they need, to know that their children will be safe.
 HDSB Trustee chair Grebenc – has become much more assertive. The Halton District School board spent a long virtual trustee meeting last week and decided they would not make a decision on the wearing of masks in the classroom at every grade level – they left that decision for another day. They may not get to make that decision – there are rumblings that the province will mandate something.
The Gazette brought Michele Bogle in to create a group of parents who are serving as a sounding board. Michelle will write as often as necessary with feedback from her group representing both levels – high school and elementary. If you want to take part – email Michelle at bogle@bgzt.ca
There is a link to her first sounding board report below.
The Gazette will be monitoring the virtual Town Talk and reporting on that.
Related news story:
Parents voice their concerns about sending their children back to school.
By Pepper Parr
August 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Interim Community Development Director Jamie Tellier has a lot of careful explaining to do in the years ahead. It was just a Receive and File Community Planning transmittal report – it was also a marker as to what the planning department was going to come to Council in the way of an ask when the budget is on the table.
Interim Community Planning Director Jamie Tellier told the Standing Committee that the department was a mess. He was asking Council to:
Approve the Future State organizational structure for Community Planning in principle as identified in the presentation contained in Appendix A. The Gazette reported on that presentation earlier this week.
In September 2019, Council approved a new organizational design for the executive level of the corporation that puts an emphasis on strategic management, risk assessment and public accountability, while also positioning the city to attract and retain employees in a growing and competitive marketplace.
 The north side of a very large complex development that is mired in an LPAT appeal and the problems created with the Interim Bylaw. The new structure will also enhance and highlight the City’s attention to City-wide customer service and public engagement through business process improvements, corporate-wide training and ongoing transformations such as digital service delivery.
As a natural progression of Phase I, city departments are now considering their organizational designs.
The Staff report sets out the problem in pretty stark language. “The current state of Community Planning organizational structure is out of balance and consists of several staff in contract roles as well as several vacancies. While we are actively recruiting to fill some vacant positions, this level of instability adds to workload pressures while creating challenges to retain talented staff. The current state of Community Planning requires unraveling into a more coherent framework.
“Community Planning must respond to the shift from greenfield policies and development to urban intensification and infill. Increased complexities in legislation, policy frameworks, and development applications are limiting the ability for Community Planning to meet service expectations with the organizational structure and staff resources currently in place.”
There are significant workload drivers from both the development and non-development portfolios of the department. The following are examples
Approximately 50 Active Major Development Files.
About 7000 residential units, 40 Tall/Mid-rise buildings, Employment, Commercial.
30 Major Development Pre-consultations to date.
11 Appeals for Major Developments to LPAT. 31 Appeals to ICBL.
Pre-building permit application volumes are up more than 50% from this time last year.
Adopted Official Plan, Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review, Housing Strategy, Region MCR, Core Commitment, Various Urban Design Guidelines and a Cultural Heritage Strategy.
This is all going to cost – expect it to be major – in the millions.
The city is facing expense pressures on several levels and revenue shortfalls on even more levels. Transit and Parks and Recreation have not produced that much revenue. COVID-19 has eaten into revenue and pushed the expense side up.
 The ADI development in the downtown took up months of planning time. An OMB decision on this development made it possible for developers to propose projects that have already changed to look and feel of the downtown core.  The Molinaro development in the west end required far less staff time Phase II for Community Planning will have a financial impact on the corporation. Additional staff are required in addition to reconciling various contract positions into permanent roles.
Due to cost implications, the updated organizational structure of the department cannot occur at once – phasing will be required based on urgency and strategy. Four phases are proposed to implement the future state organizational structure of Community Planning and are outlined with approximate gross and net (tax supported) costs.
Parallel to Evolving the Organization – Phase II for Community Planning, a development application fee study is required to ensure fiscal sustainability of the department and that our fees are reflective of the effort in processing increasingly complex development applications. It is anticipated that the outcome of this study will offset some of the increased costs from the new organizational structure. The cost to undertake this study can be accommodated within the 2020 budget.
The transition from current state to future state of the Community Planning organizational structure over the next three years will result in an increased budget for human resources in particular.
The current state cost for Community Planning is approximately $3.4 Million ($1.0 Million Net Tax Supported).
Factoring in all contracts and above compliment staff, the actual costs for Community Planning is approximately $4.1 Million ($1.5 Million Net Tax Supported). This is an increase of approximately $0.7 Million ($0.5 Million Net Tax Supported) above current state.
 While just a proposed development at this point – this is a large project that will eat up months of planning staff at a time – these create the need for additional planning staff. The estimated future cost for Community Planning is approximately $5.9 Million ($2.2 Million Net Tax Supported). This is an increase of approximately $1.8 Million ($0.7 Million Net Tax Supported) above actual cost.
Reserve Funds are going to have to be used to address immediate needs.
Service fee adjustments and consideration of business cases through 2021 and 2022 budget process will determine how and when the other phases get done.
Related news story:
Planning human resource problems – the numbers.
By Pepper Parr
August 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Parents who have students attending the Halton District School Board have until 4:00 pm this afternoon to submit the Survey forms sent to them by the Board asking what they plan to do in terms of which option they take in sending their children back to school.
The Board needs this data to plan for the start of the school year which is scheduled to begin on September 8th.
The information is critical to the plans the board has to make.
 HDSB Director of Education Stuart Miller The HDSB will be holding a Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday the 26th. Director of Education Stuart Miller and his senior staff will be listening very closely to what parents have to say.
 Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Medical of Health. Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani will be part of the panel listening to parents and answering questions.
 By Staff
August 22, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Now that we are out of lock-down, we can look back and wonder what we did with all that time.
Whatever it was – it was probably done on line.
And just what were we looking at or looking for?
A survey of Google searches done by the Economist and presented as a graphic is most revealing.
 By Pepper Parr
August 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Those who pay attention to what happens in the way of development in the city, most notably in the Downtown Core, have always had their concerns about the quality of the leadership of the department and the high level of staff turnover and the changes at the top.
Site Planning co-coordinator Jamie Tellier at the time, explains what is going to be built where on the hospital campus. Jamie Tellier, one of the nicest people in city hall, currently the Interim Director of Community Planning, serves as pretty close to a right hand to Director of Planning Heather MacDonald.
Tellier knows where all the bones are buried, not that he is likely to tell you exactly where they are but he knows.
Thus when it comes to taking a look at the organizational set up of the department Tellier is probably the best person to explain how it is set up and then opine on how it might be changed.
The heavy lifting on how the department evolves will come out of the mind of City Manager Tim Commisso who also knows where the bones were placed.
In a report discussed at Council last week we got a look at just where the problems lie and some of the potential changes that could be made.
Tellier set out the size of the workload and the legislative documents that planners have to comply with – he added that those documents are dynamic – they are not static.
The size of the task ahead of the Planning department is daunting. Tellier explained that planning in an infill context is complex.
He added that there are approximately 50 Active Major Developments, about 7000 residential units, 40 Tall/Mid-rise buildings, 30 Major Development Pre-consultations.
There are 11 Appeals for Major Developments and 31 Appeals to the Interim Control ByLaw (ICBL).
Pre-building permit application volumes are up more than 50% from this time last year.
Add to the work load there is the adopted Official Plan that is undergoing a Scoped Review focused on the downtown, a comprehensive Zoning By-law Review, Housing Strategy, Region MCR, Core Commitment, Various Urban Design Guidelines and Cultural Heritage.
Here is the current organization of the department.
 The structure is OK – it’s the staffing that ‘s the problem.  Given the size of the workload, and to make it sustainable, more people are needed in the various positions. Tellier explained that the department is a mess and cannot keep up with the demand. Increased staff effort in processing complex infill development applications means getting some help.
Full cost recovery for development planning fees is needed to support fiscal. The last development application fee review was completed in 2012. An updated “Effort-Based” development application fee review is badly needed. Council wanted to know why it wasn’t kept up to date. “We just didn’t have the time” explained Tellier.
He added that only development-related HR costs are recoverable from development applications. Non development-related HR costs such as Policy are recovered through the tax base.
Tellier said Council should assume approximately 60-70% Community Planning HR costs are recovered by development application fees and 30-40% recovered through the tax base.
The change from what exists in the way of an organizational structure and what Tellier believes is needed looks like this:
The department isn’t going to suddenly jump from what it is to what they believe is needed. It will have to be phased in.
The phasing will probably cover two budget cycles – taking this to past the end of the current council term.
The phasing and the benefits that will be experienced is set out below:
The outline of what is needed will probably get tweaked; what isn’t in doubt is the organization structure planning staff have had to work under while the city moved into a dizzying level of growth that they were not prepared to cope with.
Does the plan that Tellier presented solve the problem? He has the total support of Executive Planning Director and the City Manager. Council is going to have to chew on this one for awhile.
By Staff
August 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board prepared this poster and would like every household sending students to school to tape it to the wall close to the door.
Every student should glance at the poster, run the questions through their mind and if there is a hint of a yes to any of the questions they should speak to their parents.
The is how we catch the COVID-19 virus before it catches us.
Be aware – be alert. Copy poster to memory stick – take it to Staples have them to print an 11×17 copy
 By Staff
April 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The rate at which you drive down some streets is about to change.
If council supports the schedule set out below – learn to lighten the foot on that gas pedal.
Burlington residents don’t take lightly to being pulled over when they are caught on hand held radar in the hands of a police officer.
 By Staff
August 20, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
On July 25, 2020, members of the Halton Regional Police Service – Marine Unit- responded to a collision on the waters of Lake Ontario, near the Burlington Pier, involving two Personal Water Craft (PWC) operators.
 Marine Unit consists of a small fleet – this is the big one. Following an investigation into the operating behavior of the PWC operators prior to the collision, the Marine Unit has charged both drivers with Careless Operation of a Vessel under the Canada Shipping Act – Small Vessel Regulations.
The Marine Unit reminds members of the community that operating such vessels in a dangerous manner may result in death and/or serious injury.
Further, all vessel operators should be aware that a 10 km/h speed limit applies within 30 meters of shore or structures attached to shore.
By Staff
August 20, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
This could be interesting.
HUGE NEWS! We’re almost there!
Thank You! Thank You! To all of you who are spreading the word about this movement! What if for one day everything stopped, and we all just listened to the music? …We may find out soon!
Let’s keep going. it should be easy to get 50 more cities, but another 37 countries will take some work. LET’S DO THIS! Let’s change the world!
Please register to be officially counted and added to our worldwide map of participants at: https://tinyurl.com/PMOTPD-2020
Explore the map at https://tinyurl.com/PMOTPD-MAP-2020
Or email your name, location and a photo to: PlayMusicOnThePorch@gmail.com
Related news story:
This Mayor has great pipes: she may sing for us from her porch!
By Pepper Parr
August 20, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
People sometimes wonder where retired politicians go when they no longer have a public they can speak to every day.
 Rick Craven’s new address: https://bayobserver.ca/ Former Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven has found a place where he can use his city hall connections and speak to the public whenever his publisher can find space for him.
 Rick Craven did a lot for ward 1 when he represented Aldershot on city council. Craven has become a contributor to the Bay Observer, a publication that was a print format until COVID-19 knocked the wind out of its sails.
Publisher John Best quickly pivoted to an online version and has done well in the short time it has been online.
Well enough for Craven to call Best and ask if they could work together. Craven and Best go back some distance.
In his most recent article Craven interviewed developer Marcel Leclerc, President of Chelten Homes who said:
“Burlington used to be looked at as an oasis of sanity between Oakville and Hamilton. It’s not viewed that way any more” said Leclerc.
The blame for his difficult experience goes beyond planning staff:
“I do understand that planners are subject to whatever political culture they have at the time”
 A Chelten Homes development “The culture has changed down there and everyone’s afraid to approve something that should be approved for the community because you have a few minority loud voices”.
Leclerc’s observations came at the same time city councillors received a report indicating that the Planning Department is over worked and under staffed. Interim Director of Community Planning Jamie Tellier wrote that; “there are significant workload drivers” including; 50 active major development files involving 40 tall or mid rise buildings, 30 major development pre-consultations, 11 appeals of major developments to the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal, 31 appeals of the Interim Control Bylaw plus ongoing projects related to the official plan, zoning bylaw, housing strategy and urban design guidelines.
Tellier wrote that the Planning Department “is out of balance“. At last week’s Committee meeting he described a department riddled with secondments, contract staff and vacancies. At one point he said the situation is “a mess”. City Manager Tim Commisso said half the staff are not in permanent positions.
Tellier said that although the planning department has a lot of superstars; “We just can’t respond to the demands of a maturing City”. He said the goal is to implement a one window service for customers.
Looking forward to when Craven interviews the Mayor or writes a critical piece on her. Those two, the Mayor and the former Councillor, also go back some way.
 By Staff
August 20, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
A Different Drummer Books and Harper Collins Canada invite you to what Ian, proprietor of Different Drummer, is calling a a memorable encounter with a phenomenal person of letters.
If you’ve never heard of Thomas King – you are a diminished personality. He is funny, erudite and a great story teller.
The CBC series, The Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour which ran from 1997 to 2000 was some of the best radio you will ever hear. It should be available to the public from the CBC archives.
King is going to introduce his new novel Indians on Vacation as a discussion on line with Deborah Dundas, Friday August 28, 7pm, Live Online via Zoom
Registration to the ZOOM cast comes with the purchase of an autographed copy of the book. $32 – well worth the price.
 Thomas King, revered throughout the nation for his broadcasting, his social activism and his witty and profound fiction including Green Grass, Running Water and The Back of the Turtle, shares his irresistible new novel in a riveting online event.
Thomas King discusses Indians on Vacation and the passions and concerns that have shaped his long, colourful life in a vigorous conversation with Deborah Dundas, Books Editor of the Toronto Star, on Friday, August 28 at 7pm.
“From the first page, Thomas King’s sardonic and very funny voice leads us to places we never expect to go…European and Indigenous history collide, and there’s no one better to examine the aftermath.”–Deborah Dundas
To access the event, please purchase Indians On Vacation (autographed copies!) from A Different Drummer Books. They will send you the code required to log in via Zoom.
The book is $32, tax included, and will be available starting on the release date, August 25.
To purchase a signed copy, please contact us at 905 639 0925 or diffdrum@mac.com, or use the PayPal button at this link.
Books can be picked up at the bookshop, or delivered to you, no extra charge.
By Staff
August 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service has concluded a two week drug trafficking investigation in the City of Burlington. The investigation by the 3 District – Street Crime Unit has led to charges against the following individual;
Brandon STODDARD (32 years old from Burlington)
Trafficking (Fentanyl)
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Codeine)
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Breach of Release Order (2 Counts)
On August 19th 2020, Investigators with the assistance of the Tactical Rescue Unit and K9 executed a search warrant at a residence in the City of Burlington. As a result; the following items were seized:
 5 grams of Purple Fentanyl
100 ml of Codeine
2 Digital Scales
5 Cellular Telephones
12 inch Knife
$380.00 Canadian Currency
$11,150 worth of drugs was seized as a result of the search warrant. (Photo attached).
STODDARD was held for a Bail Hearing on August 20th, 2020.
Anyone with information in regards to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Cole Richards of the 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 2345.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Pepper Parr
August 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a grand idea, brilliant perhaps, but it is in trouble now. The possible failure of Nuvo One on the North Service Road was declared in the financial press this morning.
 It was a bold, brilliant idea that floundered under too much debt. The development, a multi-use, multi-tenant operation, was floundering financially long before COVID-19 hit the world in March. A major lender attempted to put the company in default over the failure to meet a mortgage obligation.
The largest creditor is Meridian Credit Union.
The company filed for Company Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) protection and is now carrying out a parallel process to solicit interest in the acquisition of the property or providing re-financing to the company.
A bold redevelopment of the property began in 2018 when Shawn Saulnier and his wife Bridget bought the property from the David Mainse Estate.
The site was then known as Crossroads where the two television studios were used to broadcast the 100 Huntley Street television series.
The two chapels on the ground floor were replaced by a bold design that had to be put on hold when the contractors walked off the job due to non-payment of their invoices.
The site is now the office location of a number of organizations including Sound of Music and Burlington Green.
By Pepper Parr
August 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
How much damage was there?
 The Region is now in Stage 3 of the State of Emergency. All kinds of commercial activity was opened up to help Halton Region and local municipalities understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses; Halton has put together a short 10-minute survey for local business owners and operators.
This joint survey is being conducted by Halton Region Economic Development, in partnership with the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), and the Economic Development Divisions of the Towns of Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
Your input is valuable. The survey results will be shared with Halton Region and the local municipalities to inform how we can support businesses and help our local economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
How long will the survey take?
We understand that your time is valuable! The survey should take less than 10 minutes.
Who should complete the survey?
We are looking for feedback from business owners, operators or management executives with knowledge of the organization’s operations and forecasts.
Take the survey – CLICK HERE
Survey Deadline
Please complete the survey by Friday, August 28, 2020.
Please note that this is a one-time business survey on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses in Halton. It does not replace Halton Region’s annual Employment Survey, which will start in September 2020.
By Staff
August 19, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board is thinking very seriously about Outdoor Learning for as many schools as possible.
 Is this what they are thinking about? They aren’t talking about just the nice Indian Summer weather we get.
Trustees have asked for a report on what can be done and what might the cost be.
There is $200,000 in the kitty for this type of thing along with some COVID-19 specific funding.
Will the mitts the kids have to wear be covered in that funding?
Report will be ready for late September.
All the trustees were on for this.
By Pepper Parr
August 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Most of the reports listed below can be reached by clicking on the link.
The “Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown” (Scoped Re-examination of the Adopted Official Plan) is a document-heavy process.
To get a sense as to just how document-heavy it has been – and it isn’t over yet – gaze at the documents listed below.
 That Closer Look amounts to a big pile of paper The project team has released recommended modifications to the downtown policies in the Adopted Official Plan. These policies will guide development in downtown Burlington to the year 2031. The recommended modifications and associated reports are linked below.
The meat of it all is in the first document – not actually in the document itself – it’s in one of the Appendices.
The recommended modifications are discussed in staff report PL-16-20 and in Appendix 1 of PL-16-20, SGL Planning & Design Final Report.
The Official Plan recommended modifications themselves are contained in Appendices 2, 3, and 4 of report PL-16-20.
Appendices 5-14 of report PL-16-20 contain technical studies that have been completed in support of the Re-examination of the Adopted Official Plan.
- PL-16-20 Appendix 5: Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment: Revised Report (Prepared by ASI, Feb 19, 2019)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 6: Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment: Built Heritage Resources and Cultural Heritage Landscapes Downtown Mobility Hub Study Area (Prepared by ASI, May 2019, revised September 2019)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 7: Downtown Burlington Mobility Hub Market Analysis (prepared by N. Barry Lyons and Associates, August 2017)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 8: Downtown Burlington Mobility Hub – Illustrative Economic Analysis (prepared by N. Barry Lyons and Associates, July 2019)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 9: Scoped Environmental Impact Study Downtown Mobility Hub (Prepared by Dillon Consulting, October 2019)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 10(A-1): Flood Hazard and Scoped Stormwater Management Assessment (Prepared by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions Wood, June 1, 2020)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 10(A-2): Flood Hazard and Scoped Stormwater Management Assessment – Drawings (Prepared by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions Wood, June 1, 2020)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 10(B-1): Hager-Rambo Flood Control Facilities Study Report: Downtown and Burlington GO Mobility Hub (Prepared by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, May 29, 2020)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 10(B-2): Appendices to Hager-Rambo Flood Control Facilities Study Report: Appendices (Prepared by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, May 29, 2020)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 10(B-3): Hager-Rambo Flood Control Facilities Study Report: Drawings (Prepared by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, May 29, 2020)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 11: Downtown Burlington Traffic Overview (Prepared by CIMA+, October 2019)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 12: Downtown Burlington Micro-Level Traffic Operations: Review of the preferred Land Use Scenario (Prepared by CIMA+, May 1, 2020)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 13: Updated Area Servicing Plan (ASP) for Stormwater, Water and Wastewater: Downtown Burlington (Prepared by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, May 28, 2020)
- PL-16-20 Appendix 14: Fiscal Impact Analysis (To be prepared by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd and shared in July 2020) This document got moved back a month.
Appendix 15 of report PL-16-20 contains draft Downtown Burlington Placemaking and Urban Design Guidelines, to be prepared by SGL Planning & Design and released in July 2020.
Appendices 16-19 contain information about public engagement that informed the recommended modifications to the adopted Official Plan. This includes responses to feedback received.
Appendix 20 contains updates on other City projects, as of May 2020. This appendix may be further updated in September 2020.
Appendix 21 of report PL-16-20 will contain a project update that will be prepared and released in September 2020, in advance of the public meeting. This appendix will address all feedback received up until August 28, 2020.
Next Steps
The City will share two more documents – expected sometime in September:
- Financial Impact Analysis concerning the recommended policy modifications, and
- Draft Downtown Burlington Placemaking and Urban Design Guidelines for public review.
Aug. 28, 2020: Deadline to submit comments on the recommended modifications to the adopted Official Plan so the project team has time to consider the feedback in advance of the Sept. 30 Committee meeting.
Sept. 2020: The project team will release an additional appendix to the staff report PL-16-20 that was published in June. This appendix will provide project updates and a response to all feedback that was received prior to Aug. 28.
Sept. 30, 2020: City Council will consider all reports at a public meeting of the Community Planning, Regulation, and Mobility Committee on Sept. 30. This meeting will include a presentation from City staff and the project consultants. The public will have a chance to delegate.
Oct. 7, 2020: Council will consider the Sept. 30 recommendations at a Special Council meeting on Oct. 7. Council will decide whether to endorse the recommended policy modifications and submit them to Halton Region for inclusion in the Region’s approval of the new Official Plan that Council adopted in Apr. 2018.
The Gazette will now dive into the pile of documents and report on what it all means.
Stand By and Stay Tuned..
 By Staff
August 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We are now in Stage 3 of the Emergency declared by the City and the Province.
The day those declarations were made everything shut down. Many thought it was going to be a short term thing – when the end of that first month came people began to realize the pandemic was going to really hurt many in the commercial sector.
We got to stage three almost a month ago – things didn’t immediately open up. It was slow, very slow for many.
Restaurants were permitted to offer service inside the premises and not just outside on a patio or under a tent.
The mask by law was extended to January 2021 – it was temporary when it was first passed.
Groups were limited to 5 people – that got expanded to 10.
Larger groups were permitted – up to 50 people, and movie theatres and bowling alleys were opened.
City hall was getting ready to have some people back at their desks.
The situation with schools is close to chaotic with different boards of education taking different approaches.
Where is the general public in all this?
A survey done in June on public anxiety, which is growing and any possible opening up of the border with the United States revealed that public sentiment falls into five unique groups
20% Ready to Go – less likely to wear masks or follow rules
19% Nearly Ready – watch data from Govt & Health
23% Want to, But Can’t – some barriers – money, child care etc.
18% Content – OK staying and working at home
20% Afraid – want to see control and penalties, think situation is worse, lack of trust
What can Businesses do to help build that trust and bring about a change in public trust and bring them into the commercial world?
 This decal is available to every restaurant in the country. They just have to sign up to the promise. Look for it – ask why it isn’t there if you don’t see it. Model the right behaviour – masks and social distancing: this is not a celebration, demonstrate caution
Provide Credible information and validate safety (Post Promise)
Visual is best – show experience rather than tell – videos/tours
Tone – enforcement, education, help, diligent follow-up.
The hospitality sector, which took the hardest hit during the lockdown is slowly coming back – the emphasis is on the slowly part.
Public confidence isn’t as high as it needs to be. Have you seen the POST promise in the restaurants and bars you go to?
By Pepper Parr
August 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 The trustees have been in this private session for at least more than an hour. The Halton District School Board has been in a private session for well over an hour.
Not healthy.
Parents want information.
The Board administration has most of the information and will put forward proposals for opening up the schools in September.
The conversations and debate taking place behind closed doors is conversations and debate that should be public.
By Michele Bogle
August 19th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Over the next few weeks I will be sharing the opinions and concerns of a group of Burlington parents in an on-going series of articles. While you read this and the other parts to this series, I ask, “Do you share these same concerns? Would you like your voice heard?” Chime in, discuss, share; give those making decisions on your behalf another opportunity to hear you.
To start, all three of my children have attended the public school system in Burlington, elementary through high school. They are now at college or university or have moved on into the world of commerce.
 How many of these desks will be filled in September? There are so many aspects of the move back into the classroom to discuss. Let’s meet the wonderful parents who connected with me through various Burlington Facebook groups to offer their thoughts, concerns and questions. We’ll dig deeper into this subject over the next few weeks. Here are just some of the issues that you may not have thought about.
The names of the people cooperating with me are not real, I have chosen to use aliases for all of them; but let me assure you – they are very real people.
Mary Sawyer and her husband work full time outside their home and have two elementary aged children. With the uncertainty of how successful the entrance back to school is, she wishes that the HDSB allowed for the option to have her children start in Sept, but then opt for Oct – March remote learning as Hamilton schools have this option. Why are the boards not sharing the same models?
Kathy Duncan is a special education teacher who wants to know what the government plans to do for these students. Discussion about children with special needs have been largely left out of any guidelines thus far. Virtual classrooms would be near impossible to coordinate as well as impractical.
 Burlington Transit Youth Ambassadors gather in a bus shelter. Front row: Yas Benoit, Shaan, Billi and Harrison. Back row, BT’s Sandra Maxwell, YA Kayla and Burlington Green advisor Kale Black. Will they be able to take on tasks like this during the school year? Sandra Parker, a Burlington high school teacher and mother of two high school students would really like a decision made with regard to which of the three presented teaching options to prepare for with just three weeks left before the start of school. Currently the plan is for two cohorts with rotating period classes or, two subjects a day for five weeks then on to the next subject. This would provide the students with a more in depth understanding of the material without interruption. The third option would be homeschooling.
Jeremy and Talia Unger are parents to two children, grades 5 and 8. They will be signing the ‘Intent to Return’ form for their kids. One of their concerns is about the mental well-being of their children. “Socialization is a critical part of their development. Not being able to see their friends, in person, at any time during the day can be distracting as well as distressing.” Safety is of course their first priority.
Susan Grimsby teaches elementary aged kids. While she’s eager to return to class, she has definite concerns about the precautions in place. Who’s policing the policies within the school grounds? In maintaining distance between students, how much anxiety is being created?
 The emotional health and well being of students at every level is a real concern. Will it get the attention it needs? Theresa Fisk is an EA with one child in high school and another in elementary school. She is concerned with the management of the cohorts and identified a handful of opportunities for expanding cohorts. There are special needs children who also use the before-and-after school program. Due to the shortage of classrooms, many of the same rooms will be used in the course of the day. In the morning, regular class begins the moment after the before-school-program kids leave the room, leaving the classroom unsanitized for the next group.
During the after-school sessions, when there is only a handful of one age group left in one of the rooms, they condense the kids into fewer rooms, thus creating another mixed cohort. The duration of time that students are on the school bus is typically 45 minutes with poor air circulation. Theresa would love to have a staggered entry, giving time for sanitation. As well for the grade 1-3 children to wear masks.
 Are outdoor classes a possibility? Maria Vanelli is also an elementary school teacher and speaks out about the $50 million provided to improve air quality, better ventilation in the classrooms. Maria tells me that the idea comes too late to implement in time. Her husband is a contractor and from first-hand experience informs her that the HVAC systems take six months to order, then add installation time.
Library Information Technician, Carmen White touched on, among many other items, the math. If class sizes are to be cut in half to allow for safer student numbers such as 15 per class, the reserve fund doesn’t adequately cover the number of teachers needed. Even with funding in place, space is still an immutable variable.
Each of these sets of parents and educators have concerns about very different pieces of this problem impacted by regional policies from the HDSB. Provinces are beginning to change their ideas through pressure from administrators, educators and the public. One thing everyone agreed on is that the answer isn’t to stay home, nor is it safe enough for their kids to return to school yet.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on going back to the classroom. You can reach me by email – bogle@bgzt.ca
 Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. She has written several children’s books for ages 4-12, which can be found under the pseudonym, ‘Cameron S. Matthews’. Michele received her education in journalism from the University of Pennsylvania.
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