 By Pepper Parr
February 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The event is set up as a Statutory Public Meeting taking place during a Standing Committee this evening, Tuesday at 6:30 pm
Log into the city calendar and work your way to the Committee meetings part and select the 22nd.
That will get you into the meeting where you can watch and take part.
The Statutory Review is required by the Planning Act. The review is about an Applications to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law owned by Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. Addresses: 2020 Lakeshore Road
There are two process taking place within the same basic time frame.
 Many wonder what the one process means to the other.
Applications were submitted by owner and deemed Complete on December 2021
The site is : 0.76 hectares; Frontage on Lakeshore Rd: 114 m, Frontage on Elizabeth St: 50 m
Proposed Mixed-Use Development is as follows:
- Residential: 557 apartments
- Hotel: 122 suites
- Retail/commercial: 4,445 m2
- Office: 4,348 m2
- Two tall buildings: 35 & 30 storeys with 5-storey podiums
- 598 parking spaces
- Proposed Floor Area Ratio: 76:1
What it works out to is set out below.
 This is what the owners of the Waterfront Hotel want to do with their space. It is your city and your park. Is this the best the city can get? What will the site look like from different streets that leads to Lakeshore road ?
The question the Gazette is asking is set out in the graphic below..
Take part in the Statutory meeting this evening and if you don’t like what you see stand up on your hind legs and bark. Do the same thing if you like what you see. It is your city – it is your park.
 By Staff
February 22, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Appointments to the following committees, were announced by Council on the 15th; took a week to get the list from the Communications department.
 The Waterfront Access and Protection Advisory Committee which was sunset by the city made some very useful contributions to the way the waterfront issues were managed. Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee
Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee
Burlington Sustainable Development Advisory Committee
Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee
Committee of Adjustment
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Bob Chepyha
Kerry McGregor
Peter Buckley
Margaret Doma
Sara Elkabany
Ron Minaker
Deepak Sharma
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Ashley Wall
Rajan Chopra
Rajan Sharma
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Sustainable Development Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Dave Bourns
Dave Rokosh
Sarah Merriam
Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Ken Harris
Don Prescott
Patricia Debly
Doug Benton
Cindy Bond
 Committee of Adjustment, the only committee that pays its members has made some pivotal decisions on small property adjustments and approving requests for changes to a zoning. Approve the following appointments to the Burlington Committee of Adjustment for a term to expire on December 31, 2022:
Robert Martin
Filippo Capuano (Alternate)
Hany Aly (Alternate)
The disappointing part of this announcement is that the appointments are just for the balance of this year; all end on December 31st, 2022.
There are a lot of new faces, which is good, new blood is vital. However, experience counts for a lot. It will be hard for these committees to make useful decisions.
The Gazette would like to hear what others have to say.
 By Jack Adams
February 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
As Canada’s most populated province, it is no surprise that Ontario is one of the most popular sporting areas in country. With a whole host of athletes and sports team spread across leagues in Canada and the United States, there has been some huge events in the state in recent years, with local fans enjoying the successes of their teams also. In 2019, millions of fans flooded downtown Toronto following the Toronto Raptors first ever NBA Finals triumph. Two years prior, MLS side Toronto FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the MLS Cup final at BMO Field.
With such a rich sporting history, we can only expect more to be made in 2022. Let’s take a look at some of the best sports events yet to come in the state.
 You will never leave a hockey game thrilled – the speed, the talent and the sheer hustle of the game. Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs – Apr 16 2022
One of the NHL’s biggest rivalries, The Battle of Toronto is not to be missed. Dating back since before the founding of the league, the Maple Leafs, as the Toronto Arenas, and the original Senators were two of the founding teams of the NHL. It was not until the 90s however that games between the modern Senators and the Leafs played each other in the league, when the conferences and divisions were re-aligned, and Toronto was moved into the Eastern Conference’s Northeast Division. The Leafs have frequently got the better of the Senators when it has mattered in recent years, with Toronto winning all 4 series when they met in the playoffs in the early 2000s. It appears the Senators may struggle this season too, with betting odds having them at 500/1 to win the Stanley Cup.
 We call it soccer in Canada – Canadian teams are getting better and better. Is a World Cup in store – not soon but eventually. Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact – Sept 5 2022
From one rivalry into another, the ‘Canadian Classique’ also known as the 401 Derby and the Two Solitudes Derby, is Canadian soccer’s fiercest rivalry. Battled between two of Canada’s three premier MLS teams, the rivalry between both sets of supporters is intense, creating an incredible atmosphere at games. This year’s MLS fixture at the BMO Stadium will be a rematch of last season’s Canadian Championship, in which Montreal came out the victors securing their spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. However, Toronto have regularly had Montreal’s number, with a 26-16-10 record in all competitions. The fallout from last year’s Canadian Championship final is sure to spill over into this game so make sure not to miss it!
Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers – Apr 7 2022
The Raptors have had a relatively average season so far but are still on course to make it to the play-in tournament in their quest to make it 3 playoff appearances in 4 seasons. The 76ers are also hopeful of reaching their 5th appearance in as many seasons. As well as being important to both team’s journey to the playoffs, this game will also be a rematch of the 2019 Conference semi-finals in which the Raptors came out on top before heading to the finals and winning the big one. Although they may not be playing as well as previous seasons, the Raptors still hold on to their talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo. The ‘Greek Freak’ is worth the entry fee alone and with both teams relatively close together in the Eastern Conference standings, this is sure to be a crunch game for the pair.
 Rivals for decades – located at either end of the QEW – they will always turn out a great performance. Hamilton came close to taking the Grey Cup – very close, Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Toronto Argonauts – Aug 13 2022
Make no mistake about it— physical proximity in Ontario does not equal sporting warmth. The bitter feud between these two Ontario teams is one of the best in the Canadian Football League and provides an incredible sporting display for fans. The Argonauts have been extremely successful in terms of Grey Cups with 18 to the Tiger-Cats 8. However, the pair’s Labour Day matchups have been most frequently won by the latter, who have recorded 36 wins to 13. The Toronto—Hamilton Classic is one of the components of the Harold Ballard Trophy, an award given to the winner of the season series between the Tiger-Cats and Argonauts. The trophy is named after Harold Ballard, who owned the Tiger-Cats for much of the 1980s.
 World famous Harlem Globe Trotters – more entertainment than sport – and a delight to watch. Harlem Globetrotters – March 8 2022
Ending on an entertaining note, the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their newly reimagined Spread Game tour to Ontario this year. Described as a display of ‘Ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, and rim-rattling dunks’ the Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team who combine incredible feats of athleticism with comedy and theatre. They have been committed to spreading joy and a beautiful message of social justice for nearly 100 years as they have entertained millions all around the globe. They will come to the Budweiser Gardens in London, with tickets as low as $28.75.
 By Pepper Parr
February 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is the development that will change for decades what the core of downtown Burlington is going to look like.
And while 110 people took part in a virtual presentation on what the issues are – there didn’t seem to be all that much in the way passionate interest.
There were more questions about parking during the virtual meeting than there were about what the impact would be of two 35 storey plus towers sitting on a five storey podium perched at the edge of Lakeshore Road and Brant Street at what the developer called Ground Zero for the city.
The city now wants feed back from the public. A recording of the February 15th meeting can be reached HERE
The survey can be found HERE
Closing date for public feedback is March 1st – not a lot of time. Get your views in now – they matter.
The Waterfront Study Plan people and the developer are far apart. The Study group is suggesting two 15 – 17 storey buildings and taking a 20 metre strip on the west side as park land along with another small patch on land on the east side at the southern end (lake side) of the site.
The developer has proposed two towers – one 30 storeys high and the other 35 storeys high – both sitting on a five story podium.
Parking for both would be underground exiting and entering off Elizabeth Street to the east.
While the study is for the area shown below – all the attention up to this point has been on the Waterfront Hotel site.
Spencer Smith Park defines Burlington. Few cities in Canada sit on the edge of the largest body of water in the country. It is host to some of the biggest public festivals in the province.
Will 40 storey structures take away from what the park offers the citizens of Burlington; will they diminish what is left of the small ton feel of Brant Street?
Do you think the big flashy buildings are what the city needs. A decision is going to be made – get your two cents in now when it matters.
 Children playing innocently – a man having snooze under a tree – the Spencer Smith Park we have today – will that change if there are 40 storey towers looming over everything?
 By Staff
February 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington continues to see historically low inventory and record high pricing.
The average sale price was $1,662,096. During the month of January properties sold for an incredible 120% of the listed price. Properties sold in an average of 7 days compared to 10 days the month prior.
The lack of supply and strong demand has continued to drive prices, however we are starting to see inventory grow, it just doesn’t stay on long enough to tip the scale in any way, it lists and sells before any sort of momentum is made.
By Staff
February 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario government has procured AECOM as the successful engineering consultant to undertake a Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Update Study for the widening of Highway 6 South in the City of Hamilton. The project will increase lane capacity from two lanes to four over a nine kilometre segment between Highway 403 and Upper James Street, as part of the government’s plan to build Ontario.
 Study area for a Hwy 6 expansion from two to four lanes. Highway 6 from Highway 403 to Upper James Street is the primary connection from John Munro Hamilton International Airport to the Greater Golden Horseshoe via Highway 403.
“The widening of Highway 6 from two lanes to four is vital to the continued growth of the John Munro Hamilton International Airport and the surrounding areas,” said Donna Skelly, MPP Flamborough-Glanbrook. “This is an important step forward in our work to ensure the safe, efficient movement of people and goods here in Hamilton and across the region.”
 Better access to the Hamilton Airport The Preliminary Design and EA Update Study will include outreach to Indigenous communities, municipalities, and stakeholders including the airport and business owners, and will commence in spring 2022, with a targeted completion of spring 2024.
Quick Facts
The province has allocated more than $21 billion in funding over the next 10 years, including approximately $2.6 billion in 2021–22, to expand and repair highways and bridges.
A four-lane highway link to the Hamilton airport was originally designed and received environment assessment approval in the late 1980s. The existing two-lane road was built in 2003.
By Pepper Parr
February 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Three more days to Share the Love and share the food you purchase with the Burlington Food Bank.
The drive that started last Sunday has collected 350 lbs of Food and $1400 in cash and gift card donations.
.
Merrilee and Don Fraser have worked tirelessly making telephone calls and picking up food donations.
The food donations are still needed; the local economy is not yet back to normal.
Related news story.
A unique group of people making a difference.
 By Pepper Parr
February 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Monday afternoon City Council held an Indigenous education workshop. It was, unfortunately not widely promoted by members of Council or the city’s communications department. Unfortunate.
The name Joseph Brant is well recognized; his role in the development of the land that was territory the Indigenous people lived on is not that well understood.
They own precious little of that land today. The workshop is about how that came to be.
 The Mississauga of the Credit First Nation lay claim to a large area; the part known as the Haldimand Tract is tightly tied to Joseph Brant.  Over time land was taken from the Indigenous community through different treaties. There were two main speakers who had a lot to say. You might want to listen to:
Darin Wybenga, Acting Director and Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator, Mississauga of the Credit First Nation, who spoke on; “Mississauga of the Credit First Nation – We are Still Here.”
Indeed they are
 There was a time when the majority of people living in what is Canada today believed what the Indian Act said. Following Darin Wybenga is Bryant Peters, College Instructor at Fleming College and Executive Consultant from the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, who spoke about the: Indian Act – What Can We Do?
It looked at one point if Peters was going to read every section of the Indian Act – a very repressive piece of legislation that is still in place.
Both speakers made extensive use of visuals and maps.
It should be well worth your time to spend some time listening to what was said. We will have more to tell you about this Workshop later in the week.
Burlington, like most local governments, now reads a land acknowledgement before each meeting.
If Darin Wybenga is correct, and he probably is, our reference to the Bowl with one spoon wampum is incorrect. Look for Council to correct that error.
 Wampum belts were used as signatories to commemorate and, to some degree, legitimize an event. The biggest lesson this writer learned was the significant difference between what the Indigenous people thought when they were signing a land treaty and the view the British had.
The British believed they were acquiring land which they described and defined in the treaties; the Indigenous people believed they were agreeing to share the land.
They were either not able to or didn’t know how to get that language into the treaties.
As a result they are left with bits and pieces of the land they inhabited. The 4 million acres they started with was whittled down to 200 acres.
And we wonder why they are angry.
 By Staff
February 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this week Regional Council spent the best part of a day working their way through a 2000 page document on the Growth Concepts before Council.
The purpose of the meeting was to Review the Draft Preferred Growth Concept that will be part of the Regional Official Plan.
The Gazette will need another day or two (there goes the weekend) to distill the document and set out what it means to the people who live in the four municipalities that make up the Region of Halton.
The issue of population growth…
The Region has to grow – that isn’t something that can be debated – where the politicians can have an impact is on where the growth will take place.
Colin Best, a Milton Town Coucillor, has a firm grip on the numbers- his professional work is related to property assessment.
There is one document (above) that sets out what the politicians are dealing with.
That is the direction in which we are going, like it or not.
 By Staff
February 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has hundreds, maybe even thousands of people who took early retirement or put in their 25 years and stopped punching a clock – and are looking for something to do that appeals to their better selves.
Some serve on committees, others join service clubs and others come up with an idea of their own and look for ways to make it happen.
 Typical set up at a Repair Cafe. Lawson Hunter has served on a number of committees – including Community Development Halton, served on a committee that wanted to hear what the public had to say about the Tansley Woods Centre that was to be developed. He worked with the Burlington Food Bank for a period of time.
He was former Program Manager at Cable 14 Hamilton; former Executive Director at Jamesville Business Improvement Area (Hamilton); former Communications Assistant to Lily Oddie Munro, Minister of Culture & Communications; former Administrator at Burlington Art Centre (now Art Gallery of Burlington); retired Letter Carrier at Canada Post.
At 21 years of age, Hunter was the youngest Board member of the Sarnia Public Library & Art Gallery.
He has clearly earned his stripes.
With time on his hands Hunter heard about the Repair Café; an organization with 1500 volunteer units around the world and about eight in Canada. Toronto has a Repair Café that has been operational for five years.
Hunter set up an outdoor Repair Café with the Aldershot BIA to learn what the interest might be. “One lady came in with a knock off Tiffany Lamp and wanted the cord replaced. While we were working on the lamp another lamp walked by, saw the lamp and said – I have one of those and the cord is worn out – can you fix it?. We could and we did.
“Before the day was over a third person said she too had a lamp that needed a new cord. I knew we were filling a need.”
Hunter adds just how immediate a repair need can be. “A woman came in asking if we could repair the cord on her electric mowing machine – and get it done before her husband came home.
 Lawson Hunter delegating to city council With a couple of trial runs in different parts of the city Hunter knew he had identified a need and rounded up some of his friends and applied to the city for a Community grant.
His application was accepted – the next repair Café will be in Tansley Woods Centre on March 12th – runs from 10 am to 1:00 pm
Show up and they will do what they can for you.
There is no charge for the labour – you are expected to pay for any parts that are needed.
Then he came up with an idea – why not help people fix things? He wasn’t thinking of helping people fix their relationships – that’s not quite where Lawson excels.
He wanted to help people fix a toaster or a blending machine or a CD player.
He applied for and got a grant from the city (cheque hasn’t arrived yet) to set up the Repair Café. “We’re just a bunch of guys that want to fix things and keep them out of the landfill site” said Hunter. To use the moniker of a ‘Repair Cafe’,  means to agree to the policy of not charging for repairs (parts yes, labour no) which he adds – “ it’s a terrible business model but a great community service.”
“Getting in touch with the Repair Cafe is easy: All residents are invited to contact us to let us know what items they need to get fixed to keep them out of the global garbage heap. Email us at burlingtonrepaircafe@cogeco.ca or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Burlington.Canada.Repair.Cafe
 By Staff
February 10th
BURLINGTON.ON
 And it doesn’t hurt. Ontario is distributing FREE COVID RAPID TESTS to the general population as supply increases.
Starting today, over 2,300 participating grocery and pharmacy locations — including 32 locations in Burlington — will provide free rapid tests, with a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit.
A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest
By Staff
February 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
ECO Earth Sciences Inc., a Burlington based firm, alongside their production partners, Reversomatic Manufacturing Limited, today unveiled a new source mitigation and indoor air quality solution.
The new Auroris™ and PlasmaSphere™ devices dramatically improve indoor air quality while significantly lowering the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Despite the many challenges that the global pandemic has created, it has also given rise to incredible innovation. This was also true a century ago during the Spanish Influenza pandemic when the invention of the steam radiator allowed windows to open regardless of the weather, increasing direct ventilation, improving indoor air quality, and contributing to the end of the pandemic.
 Improving indoor air quality said to be possible with new product Today, ECO Earth Sciences Inc. announced a breakthrough development that will significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread indoors while also dramatically improving indoor air quality.
“Air quality has never been more important. With 90% of our time spent indoors, research by the EPA has found that the air we breathe can be up to five times more contaminated compared to outside air. While there are many mitigation and purification measures available, most are reactive, requiring the contaminant or pathogen to find a pathway to the device. Auroris™ and Plasmasphere™ target viruses and other airborne contaminants at their source, explains Patrick Kehoe, CEO of Earth Sciences
He adds “we were guided by nature, and we essentially turned the inside out. While the preoccupation has been on attempting to purify or resuscitate stale, contaminated indoor air, we turned our attention to creating the best possible indoor air quality experience while continuously targeting and removing the threat.”
Auroris™ effectively acts as the room’s lungs, allowing indoor spaces to breathe; continuously delivering fresh air directly into a room while continuously removing stale, contaminated air. To further improve the quality of the air, advanced three-stage purification ensures the freshest indoor air experience possible.
 In nature, the air has a natural disinfection mechanism that has existed since the beginning of time. Energy from the sun, the waves, and the wind extract electrons from water vapour in the air creating non-thermal plasma. PlasmaSphere™ by Auroris™ emulates this same natural process by first purifying the incoming air, then enriching the plasma energy levels of the fresh incoming air. This combination of purification and energy enrichment targets aerosol contaminants and boosts indoor air quality levels to match those found only in the most pristine natural environments.
 This revolutionary new technology can be used across any interior, providing schools, businesses, and homeowners with the ability to dramatically improve indoor air quality and mitigate airborne pathogens. Auroris™ and PlasmaSphere™ also operate independently, complementing and enhancing the performance of ALL existing systems and can be used regardless of HVAC system type or age.
 By Pepper Parr
February 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
My friend Joan Krygsman is once of these terribly creative people.
She has a web site – stripedardvark – (https://www.stripedaardvark.com/) which is the first hint that this one is different.
Energetic, plays the guitar, sings, shows up in the darnedest places with her partner.
Completes tax returns for people who need help and sells rain water barrels.
Are you getting a sense as to what you are about to be told.
 The art is – well you decide. She has invented a game.
I’m not a games person – but later this week I’ll do my best to tell you more about it. If you want to get a head start follow the link.
The game will consist of a kit of coloured cards and will be on line as well in the very near future.
Joan is using a novel way of raising the money needed to get this game into production. She has been working on it for a couple of years – when Wordle took the world by storm Joan knew she had to get into production and has chosen to use the Kickstarter model.
To order the game and learn more about Kickstarter click HERE
By Pepper Parr
February 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington Planning department is working feverishly on an application development to build two towers – one 35 and the other 30 storeys that will sit atop a five story podium.
This application has to be presented to council not later than April 15th or it can be taken to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a non-decision appeal.
Municipalities have 120 days to respond with a decision on a development application.
At the same time the City of Burlington is resuming work on the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study. When the study is completed, it will provide guidance in the redevelopment of this site.
Located next to two of Burlington’s most significant landmarks, Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, the City is asking for input to make sure the new development reflects a high quality of urban design that enhances the community’s access to the waterfront and the downtown.
The fact that there is a development application for land in the centre of that waterfront study area would suggest that the die has already been cast.
Within the same general time frame, February 22nd, there is a Statutory Public meeting on the development application which will have the Planning department setting out the issues and the developer explaining what they plan to do.
Virtual Public Open House – Feb. 15
Residents are invited to join a virtual public open house to talk about the study process and hear from City staff and the consultant team, The Planning Partnership, who will present the preferred concept plan for the site. There will be a Q & A period following the presentation. The open house is on:
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Zoom or dial +1 647 374 4685 by telephone and enter meeting ID 813 0521 1078
Residents also have the opportunity to learn more about the planning study on the City’s online engagement platform, Get Involved Burlington.
The Waterfront Hotel Planning Study is separate from the development application process. This sentence fails to add that there is an application for development approval before the Planning department now.
2020 Lakeshore Rd. Statutory Public Meeting – Feb. 22
The City will hold a Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act to consider the City staff report concerning the development application for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. City staff will be recommending that Council direct staff to continue to review and process the application. Due to COVID-19, this Statutory Public Meeting will be held virtually.
This meeting will take place on:
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022
6:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting that will be on the city web site
To view the meeting details, the Meeting Notice [PDF] or to register to delegate, visit burlington.ca/2020lakeshore.
 This is the developers architectural rendering of what they would like to build. Planning Study Background
In 2017 and 2018, the City began the planning study to guide the redevelopment of the waterfront site at Lakeshore Road and the foot of Brant Street, including the Waterfront Hotel at 2020 Lakeshore Rd. City staff gathered feedback through visioning workshops, public and stakeholder engagement.
In mid-2018, the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study was placed on hold due to other Council directed priorities such as the New Official Plan process.
On Jan. 11, 2022, City staff presented Council with a study update through staff report.
Why the study can resume
The City is able to resume the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study at this time because:
• the re-examination of the New Official Plan Project, including Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown, has been completed,
• approval of the new Official Plan (under appeal), as well as
• the Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s approval, with modifications, of the Regional Official Plan Amendment 48.
City staff, with support from the project consultant, will pick up the work where it left off in 2018, and complete the study. The work is estimated to take four months and will use community input to-date to help develop a final preferred concept.
The City has this work remaining:
• Phase 4: Report and Recommendation of Preferred Land Use Concept, Q1 2022
This phase of the study involves the selection of a preferred concept and the preparation of a Planning Justification Report.
• Phase 5: Official Plan Policies, Zoning and Urban Design Guidelines, Q2 2022
The fifth phase of the study includes the development of draft site-specific official plan policies, zoning regulations and urban design and implementation guidelines. This phase will also include a public open house, presentation to Committee and final delivery of the implementing Official Plan Amendment and
 Determining what should be built on the waterfront hotel property has gone through a number of concepts. The Waterfront study restart will pick up where things were back in 2019 when it was paused.  Marianne Meed Ward – moments before she was sworn in as Mayor. Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward made the following comments:
“We know the Waterfront Hotel is a key site in our city, right next to our cherished downtown waterfront park. We know we have to get it right, and the time is now, with the Waterfront Hotel study starting up again, and an active application for redevelopment filed. We also need to ensure the public has every opportunity to share their feedback. That’s why Councillor Kearns and I worked together on a motion to direct staff to complete the study and the application review within the required statutory time frames — so we can record a decision as a community on this site, and not risk an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal for non-decision within the deadline. The best way you can shape the future of what happens here is to participate in both the study, as well as the development application review. ”
Ward 2 City Councillor Lisa Kearns spoke a little more forcefully: “We have heard loud and clear that residents place an extraordinary value on Burlington’s Waterfront. Development concerning the Waterfront Hotel site is extremely important to Ward 2 residents and to residents across our city. The outcome of an active development proposal is paramount to the future of our Waterfront and Spencer Smith Park, not to mention our downtown businesses and residents alike.
 Lisa Kearns – ward 2 Councillor “I encourage everyone to get engaged with the study information, subscribe to the Get Involved page for updates and attend the meetings on the Hotel Study on Feb. 15. and the Statutory Public Meeting on Feb. 22. The City will make a decision on this planning file to ensure that the decision is made at the local level. Let’s come together to give our feedback and make sure the new development results in a property that supports the community’s waterfront and downtown experience.”
Related news stories:
Is there a better way to develop this critical part of the city?
If you haven’t heard of Plan B – check them out.
The Plan B web site:
By Pepper Parr
February 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Remember the group that wanted your opinion on what the “official” bird for the city should be.
It took them a bit but they now have a list of ten birds and would like you to weigh in on which bird that should be.
Nominations received from the public have been short-listed to the 10 finalists below:
-
 Burlington has the well earned reputation as being a city that went to some length to give the Trumpeter |Swan a safe refuge. Bald Eagle
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Carolina Wren
- Chimney Swift
- Eastern Bluebird
- Great Blue Heron
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Cardinal
- Trumpeter Swan
- Turkey Vulture
If you live, work, or go to school in Burlington, you can vote here:
Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, March 6, 2022, after which poll results will be announced on Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington’s social media.
Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington is working to get both Burlington and Hamilton certified as Bird Friendly Cities in 2022, under the new Nature Canada program. Selecting a “City Bird” is part of the certification process. Toronto, London, Calgary and Vancouver are certified as Bird Friendly cities.
The challenge for this group is going to get this past city council. The Turkey Vulture isn’t going to cut it – the Trumpeter Swan should be the hands down choice.
Let’s see what the citizens think.
Links to learn more:
Facebook: Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington
Twitter: @BFCHamBurl
Instagram: birdfriendly.hamburl
Website: birdfriendlyhamiltonburlington.wordpress.com
Toronto, London, Calgary and Vancouver are certified as Bird Friendly cities.
 By Pepper Parr
February 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
“A terrific turnout” said ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns, who took a small group on a downtown development tour last Saturday.
“We embraced the chilly weather and learned about various developments in different stages, the planning process and Council’s vision for development.
“It was an interactive afternoon and one more way to connect with my office about our community. Thank you to everyone that came out, stay tuned for the next one in April.”
Well now, there was a lot more to the tour than the Councillor is revealing.
In the photograph below, the Councillor is in front of the Waterfront Hotel, a site that will be demolished and replaced by two towers that will be more than 30 storeys high – both sitting on a five storey podium.
 Lisa Kearns on the site of a planned two tower development. It is the most controversial development the city has had to cope with and if it proceeds the way the developers want – the quaint Burlington downtown you now know will be history.
The site Lisa Kearns is standing on will have what you see below.
 Rendering of what the intersection of Brant and Lakeshore will look like if the development proceeds. Developers’ rendering of the two towers they want to build at the intersection of Brant and Lakeshore road – the site of the Waterfront Hotel
By Staff
February 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Determining just how much in the way of new population is going to be determined for each of the four municipalities in the Region was always a political decision.
The Region has been stick handling this for some time.
 Someone at the Region thought the issue was ready for a Statutory Meeting where the issues and a sense as to what direction would would be set.
The political people realized that this was not the time for a Statutory meeting and changed the format of the meeting to a workshop. There would be no delegations at the workshop – just open debate and discussion.
Turns out the Regional Councillors were not ready for a workshop either.
Set out below is the order in which changes in the meetings went:
The recommendation on the Preferred Growth Concept will not be considered by Regional Council on February 9, 2022 as originally scheduled. The consideration of the Preferred Concept will be rescheduled to a future meeting. There will be an opportunity for the public to provide written submissions and delegations at that time. To register and receive a notification when the opportunity becomes available, please email the Regional Clerk.
A Regional Council Workshop on the Preferred Growth Concept has now been scheduled for February 9 at 9:30 a.m. At the Workshop, Regional staff will present updated information and respond to questions and requests for clarification regarding the Preferred Growth Concept. Under Halton’s Procedural By-law, delegations are not permitted at Council Workshops however the public is welcome to observe the live-streaming of the Workshop on our website.
The Statutory Public Meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on February 9, 2022 about a Regional Official Plan Amendment application related to the Milton Education Village will proceed as planned.
This is a critical issue – better that they get it right the first time.
Related news story:
Councillor Sharman explains what is happening at the Region on population growth.
 By Staff
February 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of weeks ago the city mailed out notices to residents who lived within a 200 metre radius from the proposed Waterfront Hotel re-development.
There is a city bylaw in place that requires this to be done.
Given the significance of the proposed development one wonders why the mailing was not sent to every household in the city or at least everything south of Dundas.
The notice is four pages long – we are making it available.
Related news story:
The City of Burlington’s website, www.burlington.ca, and some web applications will be temporarily unavailable between Feb. 15 at 10 p.m. and Feb. 16 at 2 a.m. for scheduled maintenance.
 A handful of technical types will be working late upgrading the city’s web site and many of the applications they run. During the temporary shut down, the following websites and applications will not be available:
- Parking ticket payment
- Parking permit renewal
- Parking exemption request
- New dog licenses
- Renew dog licenses
- Tax assessment lookup
- Business license renewal
- Senior property tax rebates application
- Property information requests
- Marriage licenses
- My festival and events applications
The following City of Burlington web applications will not be impacted:
The maintenance work has been scheduled in the evening hours to be as minimally invasive as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
By Pepper Parr
February 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
There was a lot of jabbering by the City of Burlington and the Halton District School Board about the sale of what used to be the Robert Bateman High school.
The School Board had announced that the property was surplus to its needs except for some pace they would use for the Gary Allen Learning Centre which is just up the road from the high school.
 While this is just a concept a this point the Board of Education is in for a 25 year lease and Brock University is looking for a new home for one of their faculties. It could be a win win Both the City and the School Board issued statements recently without adding anything new to a project that has been reported to have a $50 million price tag attached to it.
Some people have asked if there asbestos insulation in the building – no answers to that question yet.
There are significant benefits to the City if the project ever results in a sale that doesn’t kick the stuffing out of the budget and the various reserve accounts.
The plan at this point is to provide the HDSB with a 25-year lease to accommodate Gary Allan Learning Centre, which provides adult, alternative and continuing education programs, and language instruction programs for newcomers, among others.
 It is a very large piece of land that the Board of education no longer needs and the city thinks it can be re-purposed. The Board of Education will pocket a healthy sum – the question that hasn’t been asked – is what will happen to the Gary Allan Learning Centre property once its operations get moved over to the Bateman property.
And what will the name of this new landmark be?
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