 By Staff
May 19th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the first day of operation this season for the Lions Farmers Market that set up in the south end of the Burlington Centre parking lot.
The weather was perfect; people strolled in, cleared the entrance where you are expected to squirt the disinfectant on your hands and begin looking at the produce.
 And produce there was – the pictures tell that story.
The crowds weren’t great and there were a lot of empty places for the significant list of farm participants this market has had in the past.
It was week day – Saturday will tell the story.
There were plenty of Lions people on site welcoming as you came in and ready to answer any question.
 You need a big bag when you leave this table – they had something of everything that comes out of the ground.
 Lot of space for additional farmers – expect it to be busier on the weekend.
 Squirt your hands at the entrance and enjoy what is being offered for sale. Markets operate Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – well worth the time.
Hours of operation: Wednesdays 8:00 – 2:00 Fridays 8:00 – 3:00 Saturdays 8:00 – 2:00
 By Pepper Parr
May 19th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
When Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith was doing his virtual community meeting earlier this week he made mention of a change that had been made to the Station West development the ADI Group has underway. Word is that the town houses are basically sold out.
 Part of the Station West complex. The residents are going to want to organize a community group to ensure that their interests are fully protected. Not something the ward councillor will do for them Next phase will be the condominiums that will be built at the northwest corner of the development where Waterdown Road intersections with Masonry Road.
Sometime in April the ADI people asked the community where they would like the park to be and put up a graphic showing what they had in mind.
Many were stunned by what was being offered.
 The small patch of land at the bottom of three high rise condos (in the 29 to 34 storey range) was the original park location. According to Galbraith ADI has seen the error of their ways and decided to place a park to the north of the condo towers closer to the pond.
During a short tour of the property with camera in hand we photographed the pond and the piece of property the park would be located on. It could work – it is certainly better than what was offered back in April.
 North of Masonry Road at the Waterdown intersection – three condo site.  What is understood to be the park space to the west of the town houses.  Storm water pond to the left and what is believed to be the new space for the park. Waiting for some response from the ADI people.
 By Staff
May 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Aldershot Village BIA outdoor Vendor Markets are running for the 2021 season!
Spots are limited so apply soon for this summer / fall season.
 The markets will take place on four Saturdays 9am to 1pm: July 17th, Aug 21st, Sept 18th & Oct 9th
Interested?
Head to the BIA website for the application and all the details.
Call for Market Vendors!
Email: events@aldershotbia.com for more detail
 By Staff
May 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are in need of food support, please call us or email before Thursday this week so that we can arrange for delivery on Friday. If you need your delivery for Thursday evening then please contact us by Wednesday this week.
 We hope you all enjoy a nice Victoria Day long weekend and have a chance to get outside and enjoy this wonderful warm sunny weather. Great for our mental health!
If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help, PLEASE have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at their door or make arrangements to pick it up through our curb-side pickup option. If you are a resident in Burlington, we are all here to help. Don’t struggle – give us a call.
The people who handle the food intake and then pack the food packages that go out to homes in Burlington need a break and it is a public holiday.
By Staff
May 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Community Development Halton speaks: They are reaching out to the numerous Not for Profit organizations in the Region and asking them to take part in an important survey.
“As Ontario moves into pandemic recovery and rebuilding, the Not for Profit sector needs responsive policy solutions and supports to meet the immediate and long-term needs of our organizations and the communities we serve.
“Data is key! This is a crucial time to gather evidence to plan and to advocate to government and other funders for a more equitable and sustainable recovery.
“That’s why we are asking you to be part of a COVID-19 impact survey led by the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) and l’Assemblée de la Francophonie de l’Ontario (l’AFO). This one-year follow up will build on data from previous surveys by these provincial organizations, most recently in June 2020.
“Part of the survey focus is to gather regional data, which will help better understand the impact of the pandemic in Halton and the unique regional supports needed. As a survey partner, Community Development Halton (CDH) through Social Planning Network Ontario (SPNO) will be analyzing the data for our region to inform our work. We will report back on local context and action for our members, networks, and communities, and facilitate further dialogues for action. As well, we will be looking to ONN’s policy recommendations after the survey and those which connect locally.”
Three reasons to complete the survey
- Inform public policy solutions and other supports to strengthen your nonprofit and the sector
- Include the voices of nonprofits from our region and provide a local context for the pandemic’s impact and evidence needed for sustainability planning. Data will be available in de-identified data sets, with province-wide and region-specific data, to support your own work, community engagement, and advocacy.
- Bonus! Enter to win two free tickets to ONN’s annual conference Nonprofit Driven 2021.
Survey details
The bilingual survey is open to all nonprofits in Ontario (including charities, nonprofit co-operatives and grassroots groups) with a mission to serve a public benefit.
“We need 10 minutes of your time to provide vital data on the financial, operational and human resource impacts of the pandemic on your organization, access or barriers to government measures, and rebuilding opportunities and challenges. This survey closes on June 4, but we would appreciate your response as soon as possible.
“Together, we can collect vital data to advocate for a rebuilding strategy that meets the needs and aspirations of our region and those of other diverse communities across Ontario.”
 By Pepper Parr
May 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
New this summer, the City of Burlington is introducing a summer parking fee on weekends through the HONK mobile app.
Users do not have to download the app but can scan the QR code on parking lot signage to pay for parking.
Fees will be charged from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends beginning Saturday, May 22, 2021 until the last weekend in September, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2021.
 The Beachway is busier – visitors from outside the city come to enjoy the sandy beach – nothing like it in elsewhere in the Region. The City is working to make sure residents can safely enjoy the outdoors while following all public health recommendations. The Beachway has gotten more popular over time and last summer saw record demand for parking due to the pandemic, resulting in the City having to use barricades, a drop-off zone, and parking ambassadors to help manage the demand for parking. Illegal parkers were given a warning and issued tickets.
 Parking on the median is prohibited – there is a pipeline underneath. This year, especially those parking on Lakeshore Road shoulders and the grass boulevard over the pipeline, will be towed.
Visitors must pay for parking on weekends. It is an hourly rate of $2.50 or a daily flat rate of $20. Users can scan the QR Code or download the HonkMobile app.
There is a transaction fee of $0.35 for each payment. Dashboard tickets are not needed as every payment is linked to a license plate number.
Parking is free in Downtown Burlington on weekends and holidays. Beachway visitors are encouraged to extend their walk or use the drop-off zone, park and meet their household members at the beach. For parking downtown, visit burlington.ca/downtownparking.
Visitors are also encouraged to consider taking Burlington Transit, cycling, walking or rolling to the beach and leaving their cars at home.
Starting Thursday, July 1, Burlington residents can take advantage of 10 free days of parking per year at Beachway Park. It is recommended that residents wait to fill out the parking exemption form once arriving at the beach and parked in a legal parking spot.
The exemption doesn’t guarantee a spot, but it does give residents free parking for the day.
For more information about parking at Beachway Park, visit burlington.ca/paypark.
 Director of Transportation Services, Vito Tolone Director of Transportation Services, Vito Tolone explains what his department has to cope with: “Parking spaces at Beachway Park are very limited and the lots fills quickly. We are introducing paid parking on weekends this summer to help manage the parking and traffic flow.
“We are still under a Stay-at-Home Order from the province so we’d like to remind Beachway visitors to plan ahead and possibly consider coming back another time if the parking lot is full, or to park in an alternative location. Please avoid parking illegally – City bylaw officers will be actively ticketing and towing to further help manage parking and ensure safe traffic flow.”
By Pepper Parr
May 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The best kept secret in town is on the southern edge of the downtown core.
It has been decades in the making and now when it is at the point where it should have broken into the public imagination – a pandemic gets in the way.
Leanne and Aaron Ciancone, a brother and sister team wait patiently for the rate of infections to get to the point where it will be safe to gather in large groups.
With some luck – there will be a New Year’s Eve event in The Pearle Hotel and Spa.
The Gazette has featured the site and follows the construction of what is going to be the biggest draw the city will have.
Last week we got a look at the construction of a grand stair case that will lead from the reception area to the ballroom and at the same time saw some of the best coffered ceiling work this city has ever seen.
Jean Valery Lacasse took a few minutes to get us access to the site.
 Jean Valery Lacasse waiting while a photo shoot is completed. Lacasse was born and raised in the Quebec countryside, Jean Valery (known to most as JV) was brought up to respect and enjoy farm fresh food while enjoying meals made from his mother’s garden.
After graduating from University Laval with a political science degree, JV moved west to improve his English in Vancouver. He went on to work in some of the best hospitality locations in Canada, including the Sassafraz in Yorkville, the Canoe and the Auberge du Pommier.
He worked in France staging restaurants including Les Trois Gros and Guy Savoy. Lacasse also spent a number of years in Japan.
He was then brought on by IconInk to open the now infamous Cluny restaurant in the Distillery district and was then promoted to act as Corporate Food and Beverage Manager for the company’s newest property, the Bisha Hotel.
JV brings his expertise in food, wine, and hotel operations to Pearle in his new role as Food and Beverage Director for The Pearle Hotel & Spa. While his exceptional experience lends itself to JV’s work ethic, his genuine and thoughtful delivery of hospitality is what makes him stand out from the rest.
 The coffered ceiling is atop the grand stair case leading to the ballroom When you meet the guy you quickly realize he is everything they say he is. He is also patient; waited for me to finish the photo shoot and then moved onto his next task.
 Front view of the stair case that will lead to the ballroom. Th sweep of the structure is very dramatic.
 A side view of the staircase – thousands of brides will be photographed on those stairs. Getting the Pearle Hotel and Spa to the point where they are open and operational has taken a long time.
This trip we got to look at the grand staircase that will take people from the reception area to the ballroom. Thousands of young brides are going to have their pictures taken on that sweeping staircase.
The coffered ceiling above the staircase is fantastic. I doubt there is anything in the city that rivals this work. Toronto would be hard pressed to equal this.
The kitchen and the swimming pool are underway with work on outside the building still taking place.
The Pearle is part of the building that is at the intersection of Lakeshore R0ad and Elizabeth Street that rests on the edge of the lake.
 This opening in the Bridgewater development runs from Lakeshore Road to the edge of the lake with stairs leading to the water’s edge. The development includes two condominiums and a hotel.  The stairs leading to the edge of the lake will be a great place to sit and watch the fire works displays at the Pier. There was snow on the stairs when this picture was taken.
By Pepper Parr
May 18th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In one of the four public meetings, albeit as virtual events, the Regional government has done a superb job of engaging the public as they explained what the issues were and listened to what the public had in the way of responses and solutions.
Regional planning staff were open and transparent and offered to take calls during office hours to answer questions for those who wanted more detail.
 North Aldershot is treated as a separate area with different development rules. The land in the North Aldershot area was described as not the best place for urban development. The topography and the creek systems made urban development problematic and suggested that there were other locations in the Region that were better options for urban development.
Tom Muir is an Aldershot resident who has followed plans to develop in the North Aldershot community.
He wanted to know why the “Minutes of Settlement” that were signed in the 1990’s were not being discussed.
Minutes of Settlement are an agreement between a government and a developer setting out what is permitted in the way of development for a specific location. The Minutes are very detailed.
Regional Staff seemed to feel that those minutes could be set aside. That will be something that will get worked out going forward.
Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith took a different view on development potential saying “I completely understand the Region’s position in that they act as an upper tier government for the four municipalities and when it comes to growth, they look to the most efficient areas in terms of servicing.
 Boundary of North Aldershot “I think the North Aldershot area is beautiful and would make a very nice community development of low density residential housing that is in such high demand at the moment. It would be very similar topography to the Tyandaga community which includes lots of valley lands and water features and mature trees. They mentioned that it is very complicated in that the elevation difference between the 403 highway and Waterdown is 100 meters and we know that water does not run up hill naturally.”
 Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith standing just south of the Waterdown Road bridge over the 403. Instead of this type of community on beautiful valley lands, the Region has opted to take another easy farm field in the north areas of Milton and Halton Hills and recommend servicing there.
“Where would you rather live as a resident? The choice is easy for me.”
Eagle Heights may very well be that community and that would be it for North Aldershot. Tom Muir asked a good question tonight but the Region did not want to speak to site-specific lands. What complicates their recommendations is that they need to recognize the approvals that Eagle Heights already has.
Eagle Heights is a development that the Paletta interests have an Ontario Municipal Board (now known as LPAT) approval to proceed, however the Regional government has to service the area – putting in water and sewage infrastructure in place.
“This means that the region is obligated to at least service the OMB approvals. If Paletta decides to proceed with his approvals then the next North Aldershot review will be different as the boundary opening will need to be considered.”
 By Staff
May 17th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
How well did Burlingtonians behave on Sunday when the weather was about as good as it gets this time of year?
The Parks Culture and Community Department decided not to have staff in the parks keeping an eye on people – looks as if it wasn’t needed.
The pictures that follow are worth a thousand words.
 Pictures like this get put on post cards.
 Watching the geese at the LaSalle Marina.  Feeding the chipmunks at RBG – these are the best fed creatures in the city.  This is typical Burlington – spending some time at one of the few places in the city that deserves to be called iconic  This is what social distancing is all about. Now if we can get this across to the younger set – we just might have a complete summer.
By Anne Marie Aikins
May 17th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Transit vehicles, especially big commuter trains, can inspire imagination and even a bit of awe. But for some, they become the thing of dreams and wishes.
If given the opportunity to ask for anything – anything in the world – what would be your last big wish?
For one determined young woman, it was to operate a train like the GO trains she often took rides in with her parents. It was always her dream, but now seemed like an impossible feat for someone on her last journey in palliative care.
 Romina stands next to a GO Transit Safety officer and his K9 partner at the UP Express terminal at Union Station. Born with Down syndrome, Romina Asrani is now 21 years old. The endearing and determined wisp of a young woman saw her wish come true at Union Station this past weekend (May 16) when Metrolinx and Alstom Canada staff worked together to create an incredible, joyful experience that no one will soon forget.
This past year has been filled with sadness and loss for everyone. There is a proverb, however that says sorrow is a requirement for finding moments of true joy. This story may seem terribly huge, but because a young woman believed her dream was possible, it also made us believe it too.
And we felt joyous even for a few minutes because of her.
I was first introduced to Romina Asrani and her family when Sick Kids reached out to tell us about her dream to “drive a big train like her grandfather”.
Hesitant at first because it seemed impossible under the circumstances, but I was willing to try and do what we could and agreed to meet with them by video. The Thornhill parents, Mansour and Soraya, told me about their daughter Romina, who was born with Down syndrome and has suffered with multiple illnesses since she was a little girl. She’s a fighter, Soraya said, but is now in palliative care.
 Romina Asrani: She’s a fighter, Soraya, her Mother said, “but is now in palliative care.” Romina told me about her wish to drive a train some day. They often, at least before she became gravely ill and the pandemic began, took the GO train for trips, and she would take the train in Europe too, she said. Her dad would tell her stories about her grandfather who was a train engineer and his stories always fascinated her.
Well, I fell in love with her immediately of course, so proposed we wait until we were out of lockdown and it was safer. She wouldn’t be able to exactly drive a train, I said, but I would see if our rail team could give her a fun trip, nonetheless.
Unfortunately, they were concerned that waiting wasn’t really an option, so we agreed on a Sunday afternoon with barely three days to plan. The parents also requested a reporter be there so they could have her story documented. Romina cheered as we ended the call saying: “Yes, I am going to drive a train!”
I hung up on our video call wondering: ‘What on earth am I going to do? I cannot disappoint her.’
For readers who don’t know, my little sister Jenny was one of the greatest sources of joy in my life. Like Romina, she was also born with Down syndrome and died the day before our first lockdown in March 2020. Jenny would have kicked my butt if I didn’t fulfill Romina’s dream.
So, I reached out across our organization – to senior leadership in rail, transit safety, operations, stations, and beyond – and told them about Romina’s last wish. I pressed send on the email and waited – within minutes everyone responded with the same message.
And then I sat back and watched our teams create some magic. Metrolinx staff worked with Alstom Canada to plan a special UP Express train and a crew to work personally with Romina. Stations staff ensured we were ready to escort the family around safely with a wheelchair for Romina to carry her oxygen and reduce the amount of walking. Transit safety arranged to be on site with Dougie from the K9 team. Souvenir gifts were planned. And a safety plan was meticulously prepared to ensure we remained COVID-safe and were prepared for any type of emergency.
Staff thought of everything and really reached out across our entire organization to prepare for Romina’s special train.
The day finally arrived. As the family pulled up in front of Union Station, I was taken aback just how frail and tiny Romina was as she approached and glad we thought about bringing a wheelchair.
After I greeted Romina and her parents, transit safety and stations staff met with the family as they arrived, took them to the UP Express station and provided her with special gifts including official transit safety badges, a GO bear and plenty of masks. She loved the UV cleaner in the station and made her parents clean their phones. 2
Once the regular scheduled train was loaded with customers and left for the airport, with Romina watching from the platform, the station grew quiet and over the loudspeaker came this soothing voice:
“Attention please, we have an extraordinary announcement. Please join me and all our staff at Metrolinx in welcoming Romina and her family to UP Express as our very special guests today. The next train arriving is Romina’s train.”
 “This is the coolest thing, the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I will never forget it, ever.” Romina’s joy was palpable, and she was giddy with excitement as the specially arranged train arrived and the doors opened. As we entered the train, staff and customers in the station spontaneously cheered loudly.
“This is the coolest thing, the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I will never forget it, ever.”
The crew met Romina and toured her through the train, explained their jobs and when they asked her if she wanted to sit in the conductor’s seat in the cab, she turned to me and said: “Really, you are making this happen for me?”
I’m not sure there was a dry eye at this point. Certainly not mine.
The Alstom crew, engineer Tony Borek and conductor Aaron Trude, took her into the cab, let her hold the key, which she held like it was the most precious treasure and then explained all the gadgets. The microphone was a huge hit; they showed her how to use it to make announcements and toot the horn.
Although she wasn’t technically operating the train, the crew made her feel like she was in control as the train moved the very short trip to platform 3 and back.
Once we were back at the station, Romina sat in the opposite end cab and showed off her skills on the microphone.
“I’m so excited,” she said.
While Romina learned the tricks of the trade, Soraya and I chatted like moms do. She told me just how hard the last year has been for her daughter, the loneliness, her worsening breathing and stays in the hospital. Worrying about contracting a potentially deadly virus added to their anxieties.
Soraya spoke with such fondness and gratitude for their amazing Sick Kids family – the same hospital Jenny was treated at for years.
Then the crew presented her with an official honorary locomotive engineer certificate.
 “I could not be happier than I am right this minute,” “This is the coolest thing, the best thing that has ever happened in my life,” Romina said. “I will never forget it, ever.”
As the family wished, Global News (including Global National) was there to document her journey. When Mansour was asked to speak to the reporter, Romina tugged his sleeve to let him know she had this covered. And then she articulated much better than any of us could what this experience meant to her.
“I could not be happier than I am right this minute,” Romina said. “Thank you all for making my wish come true for me. I love you all. You are my angels.”
When I passed on her thanks to Savio D’Gamma Rose, a manager in the operations centre who helped bring all the details together behind the scenes, his response spoke for all of us: “This was my absolute pleasure. I was lucky to be a part, even in a small way, of bringing some happiness and joy to Romina today.”
Thank you, Romina from all of us.
By Staff
May 17th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
City of Burlington administrative services will be closed for Victoria Day on Monday, May 24. For a list of which City services and facilities are available on the Victoria Day holiday, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca
 The event celebrates the birth of Queen Victoria – a women that reigned when the British Commonwealth was the biggest power in the world. Her reign’s impact is still being felt. *Important information regarding COVID-19: The information provided below is accurate as of May 17, 2021. In the event of any changes made by the Province of Ontario to the current COVID-19 Stay-at-Home order, please visit burlington.ca/coronavirus for potential impacts to City services and programs.
Residents can also stay informed about city news on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington.
City Service Holiday Closure Information
Animal Services
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. remains closed to the public due to COVID-19.
To report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal.
Burlington Transit Burlington Transit will operate a Sunday schedule on Victoria Day. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
The downtown terminal at 430 John St. and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Monday, May 24.
City Hall The Service Burlington counter at City Hall (426 Brant St.), will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Monday, May 24.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.
Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Monday May 24.
With the exception of the Victoria Day closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services.
Parking Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.) on weekends and holidays, including Victoria Day.
NOTE:
• The Waterfront parking lots (east and west at 1286 Lakeshore Rd) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
• Paid parking, on weekends only, at Beachway Park (1100 Lakeshore Rd) begins Saturday, May 22, using HONK Mobile.
Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions
Recreation Programs and Facilities Lending Library
Play Equipment
• Horseshoes, glow in the dark soccer balls, Kanjam, washer toss, tennis, Spikeball and more are available to borrow.
Visit burlington.ca/playlending
Pickleball Equipment
• Borrow pickleball equipment for free, including noise-reducing paddles, ball packs and portable nets that can be used in your backyard or driveway. Visit burlington.ca/pickleball
 Get out and have fun – just follow the rules and we will soon see the end of the pandemic Outdoor Activities
If you need some fresh air and activity, it’s okay to walk, cycle or jog through your neighbourhood park, but please do not linger. Please stay two metres (six feet) away from everyone else in the park, or on a trail, and take your waste home with you to dispose of it.
Active at Home
Options to stay active at home are available online at burlington.ca/activeathome, including a series of virtual activities from fitness to crafts for everyone to enjoy. All videos are free and new videos are added frequently.
By Tom Muir
May 16th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 1 of a series.
The North Aldershot/Eagle Heights issue is not only a Regional issue, but is a city-wide and neighborhood issue as well.
 North Aldershot has planning policies that are distinct and separate from rural and urban Burlington. North Aldershot (NA) is a separate Planning Zone (like Urban and Rural) and has its own policies with very detailed zoning. The City has had a long history of Official Planning (OP) and by-law planning policies written specifically for North Aldershot.
My experience in this dates back to 1993/94.
It is the last remaining parcel of largely undeveloped land in Burlington, and if fully serviced, the last “greenfield”. But it’s not just any greenfield. It is a distinct mixed landscape, with deeply incised creeks and watercourses, and rolling slopes from the escarpment down to the flats of Plains Road.
If you know the area, you know that it is unique and very special, even idyllic I would say. Over many years, public efforts, including the many agencies of the North Aldershot Inter-agency Review (NAIR), have recognized this distinctiveness, and expressed the goal and principles to keep it distinct, while still trying to allow some development form designed to co-exist, but not replace.
 Waterdown Road, at the bottom is the eastern border. The 403, on the left, is the southern border. The property is a total of 1365 hectares I’m writing here because I think that special place is in grave danger from ever increasing demands for more development than was ever contemplated.
The crux issue in the development proposals for North Aldershot and specifically Eagle Heights, is density. As you can see, the wanted unit numbers in the applications have steadily increased as time went by, right up to 2019. There is a history in development proposals over 1962 to the present.
The number of units to be built on the property kept growing as appeals were made.
October/November 1995 resulted in plan for 501 units in the Central Sector. The Paletta (PIC) lands included 363 units with a park block and a school block, while the former “Taylor” lands included 46 units. The remaining 92 residential units were permitted on areas owned by other landowners in the Central Sector.
December 2010, PIC and Taylor submitted revised draft plans of subdivision to permit the development of 870 residential units (815 units on the PIC lands and 55 units on the Taylor lands).
In 1993/4 the Parkway Belt West Plan policies were in effect as the decision foundation. Under the umbrella of this Plan, at that time, the (NAIR) undertook a lengthy multi-agency and citizen group Land Use Concept exercise for NA.
 There are a number of different agencies that have their own policies that apply to the 1,365 ha that make the North Aldershot property. This Review was concurrent with an application for 1100 units from Paletta International Corporation (PIC). This application represented two landowners; PIC and Taylor.
With the NAIR multi-party conclusions and recommendations that 232 units were acceptable, the City of Burlington chose this number to take back to the developer. The PIC appealed to the OMB.
An eight week OMB hearing took place in the spring of 1995 and another eight (8) weeks in 1996. In subsequent meetings, with no citizens present, the city planning/legal and the PIC planning/legal, negotiated a settlement to take to OMB for a Hearing.
The settlement plan was approved by the OMB in October/December 1996.
These Settlement negotiations between the parties in October/November 1995 resulted in a plan for 501 units in the Central Sector. The PIC lands included 363 units with a park block and a school block, while the former “Taylor” lands included 46 units. The remaining 92 residential units were permitted on areas owned by other landowners in the Central Sector.
This was a very controversial settlement and the citizens, including myself, were left feeling betrayed. The basis and facts as they appear in the Minutes of Settlement are covered in a follow up report.
The OMB approved this settlement in 1996. Then the never ending applications for revisions to increase the unit count began.
On July 19, 2002, PIC and Taylor submitted Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment draft plan of subdivision applications to the City of Burlington. An application was made for residential development for a total of up to 665 (596 PIC, 69 Taylor) residential units.
The owners appealed the applications to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in October 2002 for lack of decision. This decision was appealed twice by City but both rulings went to the applicant.
In December 2010, PIC and Taylor submitted revised draft plans of subdivision to permit the development of 870 residential units (815 units on the PIC lands and 55 units on the Taylor lands).
This 2010 application revision included 4, four story apartment condominium buildings in the Paletta lands.
The 2010 proposal revision was subject to a public meeting, comment, and multi-agency staff refusal was seen as inadequate.
The present development application as of 2019 is the following, totaling 924 units.
- The proposed development of the PIC property, a 97-hectare parcel on the north side of Flatt Road, is for 203 single-detached houses and 587 cluster houses (attached units) for a total of 790 units. The apartment buildings from 2010 are still part of this application.
- The proposed development of a 9.6-hectare parcel on the south side of Flatt Road, is for 32 single-detached houses and 102 cluster houses for a total of 134 units.
- The applications have been appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal by the applicants.
This history is important for people to be aware of – most people don’t know and are confused by the changing numbers.
Also, most important, only the 1996 unit counts are approved.
None of the other amendment applications submitted has been moved into a Hearing at LPAT (OMB), either contested or negotiated settlement.
What citizens want to see is a detailed, concrete, and replicable evidence trail that leads to the decision, or staff advice, about what density is defensible and can be recommended under current science and policy regimes. Agency and public concerns and comments number in the hundreds, and we want to see them answered explicitly.
I will be following the presentations on Tuesday and reporting on the public input and the discussions that take place.
 Tom Muir Tom Muir is an Aldershot resident who is persistent and at times acerbic. More often than not he has the facts and a knowledge of the development that exceeds what many, if not most of the people in the planning department.
For Muir this has been a long battle – he isn’t at all certain that the public interest will be served when this phase is over but he is certain there will be more appeals.
By Staff
May 16th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Facing the lake and tempting the waves on bright sunny day. What a beautiful day it was!
 Not many of these people chose to wear masks. Families were out enjoying the weather; the kids were playing and there was a gentleman tempting the waves with his flute.
Sunday is going to be just as big a blessing.
Enjoy what our staff photographer recorded.
City staff are in a bit of a holding pattern, waiting for direction from the province as to what can be opened up and when.
We know that there won’t be a traditional Sound of Music event; they are working up a program – nothing yet on what they are going to be able to do.
 Soaking up the sunshine out by the Skyway with a breeze coming in off the Hamilton Harbour. Ribfest might be able to open up – if the new infection numbers are low enough.
 Everyone wanted to be on the turnstile.
By Staff
May 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Lakeside Plaza has not been sold, is not for sale but was put on hold while the owners met with both elected officials and members of the community.
The initial application proposed an overall redevelopment that included a mix of single storey, mid-rise and high-rise buildings that provided 900 new residential units, 2,700 square metres of office space and 11,955 square metres of service commercial and retail uses.
 There is too much upside for a developer to walk away from this opportunity. A revised redevelopment plan that addresses technical and community comments is being prepared by the applicant’s project team.
Following a meeting with the community, staff, Ward Councillor and Mayor Meed Ward in December 2019, the project team commenced some additional work to update the concept plan based on the principles discussed with the group and based on additional technical studies that were ongoing at the time.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was put on hold. The project has recently been restarted (April 2021) following an update meeting with the owner’s representative and the consulting team.
In the next few months the project team will be revising the conceptual plans and technical studies with the goal of reconnecting with the community group and staff in late summer or early fall to present updated plans and eventually reaching out to the broader community following a re submission. Further updates will be provided as this work progresses.
Several questions have been raised about the sale of the site and a change to the consulting team. There has been no sale of the site and the consulting team remains as it was since the last update.
Related news story
Statutory meeting – developer wasn’t able to change a lot of minds – then a pandemic slowed everything down.
 By Staff
May 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Temporary Lane Restrictions – Glastonbury Road, Tintagel Lane, Cotswold Crescent, Montgomery Drive, Shropshire Place, Lynington Court, and Tweedsmuir Court
There will be temporary lane restrictions from May 17 to Sept. 3, 2021 on Glastonbury Road, Tintagel Lane, Cotswold Crescent, Montgomery Drive, Shropshire Place, Lynington Court, and Tweedsmuir Court.
One lane will remain open to traffic at all times.
By Pepper Parr
May 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Being in a situation where every event that takes place to advise and inform people has to be virtual, ward Councillors have to struggle to get some attention. Some Councillors seem to have given up.
 Galbraith meeting with constituents shortly after being elected. Councillor says he will be running for a second term. Last night ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith put on what turned out to be a packed agenda.
I fully expected the event to be short – not more than an hour and not all that much in the way of new information. I was wrong.
It went for two hours and there was no shortage of new information.
Earlier in the week we got a media notice from the city on some traffic limitations on Waterdown Road while hydro poles were moved on the east side of the road.
There is a lot more than hydro pole relocation work going on.
Tentative Timelines
Enbridge Gas Relocations: Complete
Minor Hydro/Bell Relocations
Advanced Works: Ongoing – Summer 2021
(East side Retaining Walls & Tree Removals)
Hydro Pole Relocations: Mid May 2021 to Summer
(Buried Hydro Duct at South Hydro One ROW) 2022
Halton Region Advanced Watermain Replacement: Summer to Fall 2021
(Regional Reservoir to Flatt Road – approx. 360m length)
Road Construction Public Meeting : Q2 2022
Main Construction Contract: Fall 2022 to 2024
The original budget for the work came in at $14.8 million – it has since ballooned to $30 Million. The road on the west side will include a 2.5 – 3 metre multi user path that will allow bicycles.
The road will eventually become 4 lanes.
 The reservoir that is being upgraded is shown bottom right. The ongoing work comes at a time when the Regional government is holding a public meeting (virtually) on a review of the Region’s Official Plan that is to include a meeting focus on North Aldershot and the Eagle Heights development that has been in the works for decades.
Much of Aldershot doesn’t have the the tree canopy coverage other parts of Burlington has – but it does have the only recognized heritage tree in the city. The oak tree is one of the markers for the original land grant given Joseph Brant.
During a Forestry meeting earlier in the week residents learned that each household will be given a free tree that will be planted on city property outside their homes.
 New business model to be approved by Council on Monday Galbraith brought his constituents up to date on the plans for the Tyandaga golf course but slipped up on any mention of the tax payer being asked to pick up part of the cost for a location that used to be completely supported by fees. There are some capital costs that the current business model can’t handle. Galbraith was very good at taking questions at the close of the meeting – and the questions kept coming and coming.
It was when asked directly that The Councillor explained what the new financial outlook was going to be.
The North Aldershot meeting takes place on Monday the 17th in the evening. There is a link to the event on the Regional website: halton@ropr
Tom Muir, a well-informed Aldershot resident on the North Aldershot lands, which are outside the Burlington urban boundary, points to the growth in the permitted level of development going from 400 in in 1996 to 665 in 2001, to 870 in 2010to a total of 100 in 2020 – without as much as a shovel in the ground.
 A White Oak tree in Burlington that is at least 300 years old has been given a heritage designation by the province. The city-owned, 30-metre (100-foot) high tree has a circumference of nearly 500 centimetres (16.7 ft.) and is quite likely one of the oldest and largest Quercus alba specimens in Canada, according to the Burlington Historical Society. Located at Allview Avenue, a short street on the north shore of Burlington Bay, the White Oak was part of an historic boundary line for nearly 250 years. Before 1957, it also marked the starting point of the border between Burlington and Aldershot. According to the historical society’s website, “In 1789, the Allview White Oak was a surveyor’s benchmark for a treaty arranging the purchase from the Mississauga First Nation, for the British Crown, of a block of land that soon afterwards became the 3,450-acre parcel of land known as Brant’s Block. The lands border on Waterdown which is part of Hamilton which is why the city of Hamilton is paying 95% of the cost of the reservoir that is being upgraded.
Galbraith told his constituents that he had nothing he could add about the ownership of the LaSalle Park property other than to say that talks were still taking place.
The park is in Burlington but the land is owned by the city of Hamilton. Complex. The city owns the infrastructure and covers all the operating costs and pay Hamilton rent of $1 a year.
Links to related stories:
How Burlington got the deal of a lifetime – LaSalle Park rental for $1 a year.
New business model for Tyandaga Golf Course
By Staff
May 14th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
When left to following the rules most Burlingtonians comply.
A Gazette reporter/photographer got out into the parks and the waterfront – things were quieter, people were following the rules – getting the exercise and fresh air they needed,
The pictures tell the story.
 Ships at anchor while a couple test the waters for fish. There were actually three ships at anchor – unusual for Hamilton.  The little guy wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do despite a lot of coaxing from Dad; the other two new exactly what they wanted to do, 
 Looks like this man is working on his tan and doing a crossword puzzle. Great social distancing.  Mom just wants to know why the camera is pointed at her.  Very few people on the Beach on a Thursday – it will be different on a weekend that is forecast to have great weather.
By Staff
May 12th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
From May 12 to Nov. 26, 2021, there will be temporary lane closures as hydro pole relocation work is done along Waterdown Road from Craven Avenue to Mountain Brow Road.
 Those telephone polls are going to be re-located. At some point there is gong to be major development further north along Waterdown Road.
 By Pepper Parr
May 12th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In an earlier version of this article we neglected to mention that ward 1 Councillor Galbraith did take part.
The bigger picture is often the one that gets missed.
 The Planning Hierarchy – each of these policy statements and plans have to be adhered to. The Region reviews each municipal plan to ensure that everything in the hierarchy is met. It is a very complex process. Last night the Regional government took people through a two hour discussion on what population and job growth is going to have to look like in 2051
2051 is a long time out – the future however gets determined to a large degree by decisions we make today.
Burlington certainly learned that lesson when in 2016 a bus terminal got identified first as a transportation hub and then as an MTSA (Major Transportation Service Area) that allowed a developer to put up a 26 storyey building on the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road. They are digging the hole in the ground now for what will be called the Nautique.
The Regional Planning department, which has to approve anything and everything in terms of the Official Plan for the municipalities of Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills, is doing the required five year review of its Official Plan and figuring out how it will integrate the growth in the Region the province has called for.
The meeting last night was focused on how the Region thinks things should be approached for Burlington.
 Regional Staff and their consultants working from data already collected developed four concepts – each of which would have a different outcome in terms of population growth, where it would take place and new ob potential. The objective is to take the best from each concept and come up with a preferred concept and present that to the public; ideally in June.. More than 80 people took part in the virtual meeting that included eight people from the Regional Planning staff and presented the current growth concepts. There were just two elected representatives from Burlington; Mayor Meed Ward and Councillor Bentivegna. Perhaps those that chose not to take part have decided they won’t run for re-election
Former Mayor Rick Goldring and former Councillor Rick Craven took part. Is Goldring looking at the possibility of a comeback?
The meeting took on the task of getting the views of those taking part using several on-line polls and setting out what might be decided by setting out four possible concepts and explaining the impact each of those concepts would have on how the community evolved.
For Burlington, the over riding concern was development of the land north of the Hwy 407 – Dundas boundary. Urban to the south – rural to the north of that boundary. Burlington’s identity as a city rests on two fundamental and foundations beliefs: never touch the Escarpment lands and keep your development fingers off Spencer Smith Park and the Beachway. They are part of the city’s DNA.
 The planning that will get us to 2031 has for the most part been done. The focus now is what does Burlington want to build between 2031 and 2051 and where do they want to growth to be located.   While much of the planning is a numbers game, there is room for community values and growth aspirations.
The Region is given a number by the province that has to be met. The Region divides up the provincial number between the municipalities.
147,00 people and 69,000 jobs in next 10 years in current approved urban areas
334,000 people and 150,000 jobs between 2031 and 2051 which must be planned for now
How do we make that happen. Later this week the Gazette will be dig into some of the data and the choices Burlington faces. Do your homework or don’t complain when you learn five years from now that your Burlington is going to look a lot different.
 By Staff
May 12th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The parks were closed by the province; then they were opened when the province realized the closing was a dumb decision.
 This boy just wants to play and that yellow tape is in the way. But not all the parks are open and that is a concern for an Aldershot parent who lives in the Georgian Court community where the park put in place and maintained by the housing company is closed.
 Mayors says: Go ahead and use the park. It wasn’t a public park. Her unit looks right out over the park and her son just does not understand why he can’t be outside playing.
Nor does his Mom who is a stay at home parent and asked not to be personally identified.
She is part of a group of parents who are all stay-at-home mothers and do everything they can to keep their children active and outdoors as much as possible.
In Burlington when you have a problem – you call the Mayor, who explained to our parent that indeed the parks are open.
 Georgian Court Management explains their position – which isn’t the same as that of the Mayor. Problem is they are talking about different kinds of parks. Some miscommunication in there somewhere – the Office of the Mayor didn’t understand that the park that had been closed was not a city park.
Our parent didn’t know who her ward councillor was. We’ve put the two of them together to see if someone can explain to the community when the private community park can be opened.
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