 By Pepper Parr
July 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 MP Pam Damoff will lead a consultation on climate change at Tansley Woods on the 20th Member of Parliament Pam Damoff is holding a climate change consultation on July 20th at 7pm at Tansley Wood.
Vince Fiorito urges people to “to show up and speak up in support of an ambitious national climate strategy.”
 Vince Fiorito. Steward of Sheldon Creek has been a climate change advocate for years. A number of months ago Fiorito made a very trenchant observation when he said: “The planet it going to survive – there is no certainty that the human race will survive if they keep on behaving the way they do now.”
It is our planet – we actually get to decide what life on this planet is going to be like in the next 50 years.
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 By Pepper Parr
July 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting community culture funded in Burlington is a tricky business.
Culture and the arts gets managed at the Parks and Recreation level, Burlington has not yet grown to the point where it has a group dedicated to culture – there isn’t yet a full realization that culture is an economic driving force that has to be managed and effectively promoted.
In the past few years a cultural underground that is a lot bigger than most people realize has begun to organize itself – it is more vocal than effective at this point – but it does have potential.
Herding cats is easier than getting artists to sing from the same hymn book. At some point the political leadership or the administrative will come to the surface and changes will take place. In the meantime we muddle our way through a mushy place where most people mutter the right words but not much real change takes place.
 Selina Eckersall chose Village Square as the location for the second No Vacancy vent which they called Cirque. It was a huge success. Last week the fissures in the cultural file were evident when ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward put forward a motion to grant a group putting on a significant cultural event for the fourth year. The group had previously been turned down by the Parks and Recreation program because they weren’t a new event.
Meed Ward wanted the group to be given $4000 which members of Council went along with at the Standing committee level – it has yet to be approved by Council.
In her memorandum to city council Meed Ward explained that “No Vacancy is a non profit charitable agency whose mission is to bring contemporary art and culture to Burlington. They have previously sponsored two other art events: Cirque (2014) and Super Nova (2015).”
Meed Ward didn’t mention the first No Vacancy event that was held at the Waterfront Hotel in 2103.
Council provided one-time funding support for SuperNova, as well as funding for the Car- Free Street festivals in wards 4,5 and 6 and a Janes’ Walk in ward 1.
Funding was not sought by the No Vacancy people during this year’s budget for their Moonglade, because they were pretty sure funding would be available under the new Community Investment Fund (CIF). However, that fund turned out to be for new events. Moonglade is new in the sense that it is a different location and theme, although still run at the same time of year by the same organization. As such, the event doesn’t neatly fit the existing criteria of the CIF.
 Tomy Bewick intoned in a strong passionate voice while Teresa Seaton spread the stained glass feathers about the ground. The event was one of the strongest features in the 2015 No Vacancy SuoerNova event. Mead Ward said that “this is an event and an organization we want to support until such time as criteria are developed for ongoing community-delivered events. Currently, staff are working on a revised festivals and events strategy. The issue of ongoing event funding will no doubt be a topic of discussion, given the city currently does fund some existing events year over year (eg Sound of Music), and has funded Car Free Festivals again this year.
Meed Ward trotted out the line we are going to hear for the next five years – “the event aligns well with Burlington’s new Strategic Plan, the direction of an Engaging City.”
The strong point in Meed Wards request that Council contribute funds was the additional partners the event has brought into their tent. The Art Gallery of Burlington and the Burlington Downtown Business Association are very much on board with the No Vacancy initiative.
This year the event will be held in Brock Park behind the Art Gallery and inside the building as well. The city can be a partner as well. The request got past the Standing committee and goes to city council Monday evening.
Selina Eckersall, head of No Vacancy, the group that has put on three events, two of which were unqualified successes, had managed to put together an agreement with the Art Gallery of Burlington to hold the event at that location for their fourth event.
 Culture – it was in 2014 at the No Vacancy Cirque event. This has to be looked upon as a marriage made in heaven. The Art Gallery has all kinds of nooks and crannies that are ideal for the kind of event that No Vacancy does. Their first event at the Waterfront Hotel was small but broke new ground in terms of cultural audacity for this city. The second, held at the Village Square broke records in terms of audience attendance and the eclectic mix of participants that ranged from Belly Dancers to Teresa Seaton Stained Glass – and that is a stretch when it comes to art in Burlington. But it worked and the No Vacancy people heightened their ambitions and decided to hold their third event on Old Lakeshore Road. It suffered from overreach and too large a space – and not enough in the way of volunteer help. Lessons were learned.
 Robert Steven is showing the city that he is prepared to do things differently. Having a CEO at the Art Gallery prepared to reach out and try something new was just what No Vacancy needed. Robert Steven showed the city that he was prepared to do things differently when he sponsored a concert at the Performing Arts Centre where he made better use of the space than the staff over there do.
Inviting the No Vacancy crowd into the AGB was a brilliant move that was aided by the fact that Eckersall, was named the Arts Person of the Year award in the 2014 Burlington Best event now also sits on the Board of the AGB.
With at least some of the core funding they need in place – MoonGlade can now continue with their plans and show the city what they can do in perhaps the best location available in the city.
 Lone Garden will again be part of No Vacancy’s MoonGlade this year Kune Hua, one of the 17 participants, is growing an even bigger Love Garden. There is a man in blue wearing red sneakers that is somehow involved in promoting the event.
By Pepper Parr
July 18th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
People enjoyed the city over the weekend – and there was a bit of a breeze.
The audiences for the KooGle Theatre Company production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee were very good as was the audience for The Taming of the Shrew at Thinkspot in Lowville.
 Shakespeare in Lowville. The Shrew production was an incredibly different and innovative take on what the bard wrote. The Driftwood Theatre Company is known for doing thought provoking, at time hilarious productions of Shakespeare’s work. Thinkspot has become known for bringing them to the city.
The Thinkspot event has been for just the one evening in an outdoor theatre. The audience this year was larger than last year.
 Spelling Bee cast talks to the audience after its opening last week. The Spelling Bee runs for an additional week at the Performing Arts Centre – two of the four nights the first week were sold out. Book your tickets now for this one. Fun evening.
The Mayor is reported to have been able to spell some of the words he was given but even he was eventually led off the stage by Muscle Bound Mike. You need to see the play to fully appreciate that actor.
The Bandits took a licking on the baseball diamond.
The Bandits will play again this weekend – hopefully they will do better.
The Lowville Festival begins on Friday the 22nd at the Anglican Church in Lowville where a 60+ member choir will be entertaining. This is the Second Annual Lowville Festival – an event that is finding its legs and adding to the locally based entertainment program.
City council meets this evening – then they are off for their summer break. This Council is at the halfway point of their current term of office. All were re-elected last time around.
Lowville Festival schedule:
By Pepper Parr
July 16th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Where is Ray?
For many Gazette readers Ray Rivers had become a Friday habit – his views on matters federal, provincial and from time to time international have appeared in the Gazette for more than three years.
I first met Rivers when he was talking to a group of Liberals who used to meet regularly at Artisano’s. I liked what I heard Rivers saying a found a way to strike up a conversation. That led to his writing for the Gazette.
 Rivers tries to get to New Zealand once a year – relaxes with family and gets in a little fishing. His daughter returned to Canada with he husband and their children. Ray is working on making a good hockey fan out of at least the grandson. This summer Rivers and I decided that a full break for a month or more was well deserved – and except for one occasion when he had to say something about the Brexit mess in the United Kingdom, Rivers has behaved and worked with tools on his farm in Mountsburg rather than the keyboard on his computer.
There is a tree lot that needs some pruning and a new deck for the hot tub. Grass to be cut with the mower that Rivers treats as something you drive at a NASCAR event and the chicken coop needs a good clean up.
 Rivers is incapable of getting through a day without reading at last one newspaper. So – for those who wonder where Rivers is – it isn’t quite “gone fishing” but it is a respite from a task that can get onerous. Writing a column every week is demanding.
Rivers and I usually have a short conversation about what he would like to write on – we exchange ideas and I pretty well leave him to his own devices. It is the readers that keep him on his toes.
There are about a dozen that watch what he writes very carefully. It did take a while for Gazette readers to fully appreciate that Rivers was a columnist with a view point. Several complained that he was a Liberal and therefore shouldn’t be writing articles.
He is certainly a Liberal and a liberal as well – and that was the point. The Gazette wanted someone with a clear point of view. We also wanted a strong Conservative and talked to a number of people who could have filled that role – none chose to step up the plate.
Public opinion needs to be informed and the exchange of views is part of what informs people. It took us some time to bleed out the more raucous comments that used to appear in the Gazette.
This is not yet a city with a clear understanding of how important it is to keep the public informed and to do so as transparently as possible.
Rivers, who has consistently written a column with often extensive links to other material that few columnists provide.
 With the New Zealand part of the family now on Canadian soil Rivers can see his grandchildren whenever he wants. Rivers will be back in the fall – we expect him to have something to say about both the Republican and Democratic conventions taking place in the United States and how our federal and provincial governments are doing in this country.
The Gazette is fortunate to have Rivers as part of the editorial team – Burlington doesn’t yet fully appreciate the contribution he makes – which isn’t about what he actually writes – but about the fact that he does write. The city badly needs a public that is informed and is prepared to speak out.
 By Staff
July 14th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Jim Young, a 34-year resident of Burlington is an active member of Burlington Seniors Advisory Committee; he represent them on the Integrated Transportation Advisory. Young was delegating on an issue that he is passionate about – how seniors get around the city.
 Jim Young – thinks the city should consider letting seniors use buses free during off peak hours. Council was listening to people who had thoughts on the cycling lanes that city is considering putting in on various parts of New Street.
“I delegate today” said Young “as a private citizen to offer my private thoughts on the issue at hand.”
“You will understand that for many seniors cycling is not an immediate or pressing issue, (for some of us walkability is challenging enough) though for many seniors it is a hobby that we would love to practice in the healthiest and safest manner available to us. To that end I believe most citizens are generally supportive of the concept, that moving forward, the City must look to promoting cycling as a viable transportation alternative that must be encouraged and accommodated safely, in line with its strategic plan as a ”City that Moves”.
“I would however ask that any accommodation for safer cycling be considered in a way that does not impede or reduce improvements to transit services. Transit is the mode of transport which, by the nature of aging and economic necessity, is probably more the transport mode of the future for seniors in Burlington than cycling.
“So when council comes to weigh the alternatives for bicycle lanes on New Street and the relatively high costs of some of them I would ask you to consider these two thoughts:
Accommodating the sixty cyclists identified in the New Street study for approximately ¾ of the year will cost between $121,000.00 and $4,950,000.00 depending on the alternative chosen. The staff recommended alternative is estimated at $210,000.00.
If you have not already received it, council will very soon be asked to consider a position paper from one of your citizen’s advisory committees titled “Improving Transit for Seniors Improves Transit for Everybody”.
 Transit advocate would like the city to let seniors use the service free during off peak hours. “I have worked with many of you” said Young as he addressed members of council “and city management as well preparing the paper that will recommend free transit for seniors during off peak hours between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday. The cost for this will be between $48,500.00 and $72,750.00 per year.
Young added that “even Keith Spicer, Director of Transit, will, when his arm is twisted, agree it will probably cost less than $100,000.00. to provide this service.”
“I respectfully submit that as you consider allocating considerable sums of money to make 60 New Street cyclists happy for two thirds of the year that you consider what allocating a fraction of that money to free transit for seniors in off peak hours would do to making 35,000 Burlington seniors happy on every street all year round. (The $4.95 million option would provide free transit for the next 65 years.)”
It was at this point that Committee chairman Rick Craven, councilor for Ward 1, interrupted Young and asked that he no stray too far from the purpose of the meeting – which was cycling lanes.
Related news stories and comment:
Council couldn’t find a majority for free senior’s transit.
Citizen proposes free use of transit service for seniors during off peak hours.
 By Staff
July 14, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is getting hotter and drier out there – dry enough for the fire chief to temporarily ban all outside fires—including open air burning, controlled brush burning and recreational burning—as well as banning the use of charcoal barbecues in city parks.
 BBQ’s that use charcoal have been banned in city parks. “To ensure public safety, the ban on charcoal barbecues applies to the picnic areas of three city parks—LaSalle, Lowville and Hidden Valley—where propane barbecues will still be allowed,” said Mary Battaglia, director of roads and parks maintenance with the city.
City parks are available for social and picnic use. Users are encouraged to book a permit in advance of their preferred dates. Request a booking online at www.burlington.ca/rentals, call 905-335-7738 or visit www.burlington.ca/picnics for more information.
If you are unsure if a fire ban is in effect, please contact the Burlington Fire Department at 905-637-8253 or visit www.burlington.ca/openairburning for more information about open air burning and safety tips.
 By Staff
July 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette reported this to you last week – the city got their notice out early this morning.
Work to replace the outdoor pool and splash pad at Nelson Park has begun. At its meeting on Monday, July 4, Burlington City Council approved the advancement of funding from the city’s 2017 capital budget which will enable the construction of the new pool to start this fall.
 Swimming? Not at Nelson – not this summer. “Over the last six months, city staff have worked hard to get this project ready for construction, securing the design work and permit approvals needed,” said Allan Magi, the city’s director of capital works. “The demolition phase of construction began last week and we anticipate the work to construct the new swimming facilities will start this fall.”
The new 50-metre pool, featuring eight swim lanes, will be built beside a new beach-entry wading pool and splash pad. Detailed drawings of the new swimming facility will be available online at www.burlington.ca/nelson later this summer.
One Gazette reader commented: “Why have we not looked for a Facility Naming Sponsor to help cover costs for the Performing Arts Centre or The Pier? Perhaps Got Junk or Badger Waste Disposal could get a good deal and help relieve the stress on our wallets. Why is it taking sooo long for Nelson Pool to be back in operation? Closed for 2015, 2016 and also 2017? This is ridiculous. The majority of our residents do not have a private pool and need Nelson Pool to be open each summer, plus all the city programs and students hired each summer to work at Nelson Pool.”
At its meeting on July 4, City Council also directed city staff to investigate sponsorship opportunities for the naming of the new outdoor pool and splash pad at Nelson Park.
“Similar to other municipalities, the City of Burlington is exploring ways to generate new revenue streams to help reduce the tax burden on the community,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “Based on council’s direction, city staff will look at a potential naming sponsorship for the outdoor pool replacement project. Any money generated from a sponsorship would help with the future repair and renewal needs of the facility.”
The Gazette report is available below:
Nelson pool spending approved:
 By Pepper Parr
July 12, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There is construction going on all over the city. The work that is reaching into the sky is just fine with most people – the work being done on the roads has people complaining – New Street residents are going to be grumpy all summer.
 Concrete pours well underway at the Dundas Sutton project.  An early architects rendering of what the ADI Development Group thought they wanted to do with the Dundas-Sutton project. The look of the project and the price point both underwent a change. The Adi Lynx development on Dundas at Sutton – next to the Bronte Creek is well past the ground breaking stage – there was no ceremonial turning of the sod when that project started.
 Financing of any development project is critical. If you want to understand how the Lynx is being financed – look no further than this organization. The project has a progressive look to it – but if real estate is all about location – Bronte Creek gives this site some cred.
By Pepper Parr
July 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Some momentum is being lost and the boaters at LaSalle Park are now facing an uphill battle to get the funding the need in place for the expansion the LaSalle Park Maria Association has in mind.
John Birch has been a tireless advocate for an upgraded harbour that would protect the boats from some of the rough waves that would roll in and was doing very well with his plans.
 Trumpeter swans were once the biggest problem the LaSalle Park Marina Association had in getting approval for their wave barrier project. It isn’t the swans putting on th brakes – city hall is taking a closer look at the business model. He had run into some resistance from the Trumpeter Swan people who felt the planned harbour would take their habitat away from the birds.
That isn’t the main problem anymore.
The LPMA financing always looked like a bit of a stretch but in the past the association had always met the financial obligations.
 The LaSalle PArk Marina Association wanted to build a wave barrier – the financial model they have used is making city hall uncomfortable. While the current project is quite a bit bigger than anything they had done in the past it appeared to have merit and it was getting past all the milestones.
The harbour the boaters want to put in place certainly had a number of significant benefits for the city.
Birch and ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven get along well and Craven does not like losing something his residents want. Expect some tension to surround this one as it gets worked through.
A Staff report had been prepared and put into the agenda for the current cycle of Standing Committee meetings – then it was pulled from the agenda.
“The primary reason” said city manager James Ridge “is that I believe that Council needs to consider the report in a bigger context, and a broader range of questions about the project.
“The report’s observations are also arguably at odds with a recent resolution of Council to provide a letter of support to the LPMA for grant-seeking purposes. This is further reason for Council to pause to consider the project from a more holistic perspective.
“The project involves City owned assets, and it is unusual to have a Joint Venture partner take on the financing for project of this size which invariably entails risks to both the City and LPMA. At this point we don’t have a detailed costing of the breakwater construction, however the City would very likely be responsible for any cost overruns. And as the report points out, we have concerns about the financial model, including the likely need for a loan from the city with 25 year or more repayment. This would also be unprecedented and have inherent risks.”
 City manager James Ridge “In comments made to the Gazette Ridge said: “The LPMA was unhappy with the report. However it was intended to be an independent arms-length assessment of their business case. The LPMA was very helpful in providing detailed financial records, and met with staff to answer questions before the report was prepared, but clearly disagree with the conclusions. They have provided additional information that we have reviewed, and we will meet with them again, but the report will reflect the City’s independent objective assessment of LPMA’s business case.”
Ridge as a city manager is turning out to be very fiscally prudent – no risk taking on his watch. Wonder what would have happened to the Pier had Ridge been on the job?
The Gazette will analyze the city staff report and publish a follow up piece.
Touch times for the boaters.
By Pepper Parr
July 11, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
And so we are going to grow Up, Smart and Beautiful – which is the tag line for what most of us understand as intensification.
How far up we go and where that up takes place is what a lengthy Committee of the Whole was about Thursday afternoon.
Council was assured that the planners knew where that “up” growth should take place and where is won’t take place.
The policies in the existing Official Plan are intended to guide the review of Official Plan Amendments involving a proposed increase in density.
These policies generally assist staff to review these applications on a site-specific basis but lack the required supporting policy framework that ensures that the proposal conforms to a broader city-wide vision and will support other important community and city-building objectives contained with the Official Plan and Council’s Strategic Plan.
 This is the vision – a clear separation between rural and urban. Without a city wide-wide vision, intensification can quickly become sporadic and create many challenges for the city including:
• limiting opportunities to concentrate growth in key under-utilized areas which have the potential to be major sources of new growth and investment;
• creating the potential for proponent driven intensification proposals in established neighbourhood areas of the city;
• resulting in the sporadic allocation of limited financial resources for development specific infrastructure and/or community infrastructure upgrades/investments; and
• not achieving key goals and objectives of the Official Plan, Places to Grow and Strategic Plan.
In 2008, the city’s first intensification framework was developed and endorsed by city Council. This strategy was primarily intended to form the basis for the development of new mixed use land use designations in the Official Plan and to identify the city’s capacity for population growth as part of the Region’s 2031 growth allocation process. However, the strategy and associated mapping were not incorporated as part of the current Official Plan.
As of March 2016, 72% of proposed residential units since 2006 which are either currently under review by city staff/under appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board, or have been approved by city staff but for which a Building Permit has not yet been issued, were located outside of the intensification areas identified through the city’s previous 2008 framework.
What that seems to say is that developers paid no attention to the Official Plan and the city let them get away with.
“Given current development trends since the development of the 2008 intensification strategy, staff believe that action must be taken to establish a comprehensive vision for intensification in the city through the Official Plan.”
Proposed Direction: Intensification Framework
A new city-wide Intensification Framework is proposed as part of the current Official Plan Review that will build upon Council’s new Strategic Plan and serve to provide greater clarity and direction to the public, city staff and other levels of government as to where and how the city plans to grow and intensify over time. More specifically, the new framework will have four key objectives:
1. serve as a filter through which privately initiated Official Plan amendments for increased density are considered and evaluated to ensure that growth is being directed to priority areas including key under-utilized mixed use and transit station areas;
2. provide the basis for the development of population and jobs growth capacity projections which will inform the forthcoming 2041 growth allocations by the Region of Halton;
3. ensure coordination amongst various city departments and other levels of government and service providers with respect to the efficient and timely focusing of investment/upgrades in infrastructure (including water and wastewater servicing, transit, utilities etc.) and community infrastructure (including parks, community facilities and public realm) which may required to support intensification and long-term growth; and
4. provide greater opportunities to accommodate a variety of housing forms that can serve the needs of a broad demographic in terms of tenure, affordability and access to services and transit.
The following sections will identify how the proposed Intensification Framework will achieve these objectives by outlining the proposed details/structure of the framework, how the proposed framework will be implemented and also identify how the framework will serve to inform future city initiatives related to intensification.
The proposed framework will achieve its objectives by establishing four key areas:
Primary Intensification Areas,
Secondary Intensification Areas,
Employment Intensification Areas
Established Neighbourhood Areas.
For each area, the Official Plan will contain objectives and policies that, while maintaining development permissions provided through the underlying land use designations, will serve to establish clear expectations for the scale and type of intensification that is expected within each area and provide greater direction when evaluating proponent driven Official Plan amendments for increased density. The high-level geographies, objectives and policies of each area are outlined below:
The Primary Intensification Area will be comprised of major nodes and corridors, which may include various residential, mixed use, commercial or employment land uses in areas which have the greatest potential to accommodate intensification including: the city’s Urban Growth Centre (UGC); mixed use areas of the Uptown Urban Centre; the Aldershot, Burlington and Appleby Mobility Hubs; the Plains Road/Fairview Street Urban Corridor; the Brant Street Urban Corridor and aging Neighbourhood Centres located south of the QEW
 This is a draft document. Primary Intensification Areas will focus on the intensification of under-utilized mixed use and employment areas (including Mobility Hubs) which have the greatest potential to accommodate significant population and employment growth and foster the development of pedestrian and transit-oriented neighbourhoods.
Growth within Primary Intensification Areas will account for a majority of the city’s growth over the planning horizon of the Official Plan and create a network of density that will support higher-order/frequent transit opportunities.
Policies for the Primary Intensification Area will require new developments to achieve intensification and promote developments which propose significant population/employment growth to locate in the Primary Intensification Areas to ensure that proposed redevelopments make the most of the development potential these areas offer. In addition, policies will ensure that these areas are planned to develop as complete communities and that Primary Intensification Areas are a focus for city, Regional and Provincial investment/upgrades to infrastructure and community infrastructure which may be needed to support significant population and job growth in these areas.
Secondary Intensification Areas will be comprised of commercial/mixed use designated areas and generally vacant sites which are not located within a Primary or Employment Intensification Areas and which are located immediately adjacent to an arterial street. In addition, staff propose that sites containing publicly-funded schools be generally identified as forming part of the Secondary Intensification Area in order to recognize potential redevelopment/intensification needs on these sites over the long-term which may not conform to the traditional residential land use designations applied to these sites.
Secondary Intensification Areas will consist of areas which may contain limited, site specific opportunities for intensification over the planning horizon of the Official Plan. However, to ensure the Primary Intensification Areas remain the primary focus for significant intensification and infrastructure and community infrastructure investment, these areas will not be intended to intensify at a scale or intensity equal to that of the Primary Intensification Area. As such, Secondary Intensification Areas will not be intended to accommodate a majority of the city’s growth to 2031.
In order to meet the intent of the Secondary Intensification Areas, policies will include criteria to evaluate intensification proposals which involve an Official Plan Amendment for increased density. The criteria will focus on the proposed scale and intensity of the proposed development to ensure that the proposal will not result in significant unplanned population growth beyond that currently permitted under a site’s existing Official Plan permissions and that the proposal will not require infrastructure/community infrastructure investments/upgrades in order to be accommodated.
This will provide staff and Council with greater control and predictability that development proposals involving significant population and employment growth will be focused/directed towards the Primary Intensification Areas. In addition, this will ensure that financial resources for potential infrastructure investment/upgrades required to accommodate growth are not being redirected to areas outside of the Primary Intensification Areas.
Established Neighbourhood Areas
Established Neighbourhood Areas will be comprised of existing, predominantly residential neighbourhoods (including areas designated as Residential Low, Medium or High Density) as well as small neighbourhood-oriented commercial sites which are not located on an arterial street.
 This is a draft document. Established Neighbourhood Areas will be intended to accommodate existing development, redevelopment and intensification opportunities which are already currently permitted through a site’s Official Plan land use designation. As such, Established Neighbourhood Areas will not be considered essential towards achieving population/employment growth to 2031 and beyond.
In order to maintain the stability of the Established Neighbourhood Areas and limit the potential for the introduction of significant and unplanned intensification proposals into these areas, policies will be introduced that prohibit privately initiated Official Plan amendments for increased density beyond that permitted through the underlying land use designation.
As a result, only the following forms of intensification would be permitted within the Established Neighbourhood Area:
Redevelopment/infill in accordance with Official Plan land use permissions;
Consents to Sever;
Plans of Subdivision; and
Accessory Dwelling Units (e.g. second suites, including detached units).
This limitation would not prevent or preclude the potential for redevelopment or intensification of sites within the Established Neighbourhood Area but rather provide greater certainty that any proposals will be in keeping with the existing permissions provided through the site’s Official Plan land use designation and compatible with the neighbourhood’s existing built form, density, and scale.
Employment Intensification Areas
The Employment Intensification Areas will be comprised of areas identified as city or Regional ‘Areas of Employment’ as identified at the conclusion of the city’s Municipal Comprehensive Review. However, this will not include employment designated areas located in undeveloped areas outside of the built boundary as the proposed Intensification Framework is intended to apply only to developed areas where redevelopment and intensification would occur within an existing developed area context.
 This is where the residential housing was built. While not forming part of the Intensification Framework, employment designated lands within undeveloped areas of the city will continue to be governed by the underlying land use designations and policies of the Official Plan and will continue to form part of the city’s employment land inventory pending the outcome of the city’s Municipal Comprehensive Review.
The Employment Intensification Area is intended to capture employment lands located within developed areas which have the potential to accommodate further intensification and job growth to 2031 and beyond.
Within Employment Intensification Areas, staff generally believe that existing Official Plan permissions/policies along with the implementation of Council endorsed policy directions provided through the Employment Lands Direction Report will ensure that the Employment Intensification Area can continue to provide substantial opportunities for future intensification and job growth. A new policy is proposed that will promote significant employment intensification proposals to be located in areas which are in close proximity to transit routes and/or major, multi-purpose or minor arterial streets to ensure these proposals are adequately served by the city’s transportation network. In addition, staff may review the need for any additional policies pending the outcome of the city’s current Municipal Comprehensive Review for employment lands.
Council, meeting as a Standing Committee endorsed the report unanimously. It will get final approval at the next city council meeting.
It is a report that needs close study – policy for a long period of time is being put in place. The intensification targets will get written into the Official Plan – which both staff and council would like to see as something that has stronger teeth to it.
 This is a map of the 2008 intensification framework. The section of the staff report that told of the “72% of proposed residential units since 2006 were located outside of the intensification areas identified through the city’s previous 2008 framework” is troubling.
There will be more to say about intensification – right now it is Up, Smart and Beautiful as the city decides to Grow Bold.
By Staff
June 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
She has been missing since 12:45 PM on Tuesday July 5th 2016. She was last seen near her home on Millcroft Park Drive, Burlington.
 Helen Robertson often wore mis-matched shoes Residents within the nearby area of Helen’s home can expect to see an increase in police presence. Hamilton Police mounted unit, The Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSRVA) and the Ontario Provincial Police are assisting with the investigation.
The mismatched shoes believed to have been worn by Helen, of which police previously released a photo, have been located. Please be aware that Helen often wore mismatched shoes and therefore it is possible she may be wearing other mismatched shoes.
 Helen Robertson, 79, missing for four days. Halton Police are continuing to encourage Burlington and the surrounding area residents to check their properties and outbuildings. In addition please continue to watch for Helen and report any sightings immediately to police directly and avoid reporting sighting by way of social media.
Anyone with information on Helen’s whereabouts are asked to call Halton Police at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2305
Hellen Robertson is a 79 year-old Alzheimer’s patient. The police have issued five updates on this missing woman.
By Staff
July 8th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Conservation Halton has declared a Level I Low Water Condition for its watershed.
The low snow accumulation over the winter combined with below-normal rainfall amounts over the last three months (April, May and June) has resulted in reduced water flows and levels in local streams.
 Bronte Creek is part of the Halton Region watershed – water levels are low. Conservation Halton’s data for the month of June indicates that like much of south central Ontario, the Halton watershed has received below-average precipitation. The watershed received an average of approximately 23 mm of rain, which is only 30 per cent of the normal June average of 76 mm. The three-month average for April to June was approximately 37 mm or 47 percent of normal for this time of year. Further, the current data suggests that a number of our streams are below, or are approaching a Level II Low Water Condition threshold.
“The combination of lower snowfall amounts in winter and below-average rainfall over the last three months has resulted in the streams in the Halton watershed being lower than their typical levels for this time of the year.” said Conservation Halton Manager of Watershed Engineering Services, Janelle Weppler.
“The current situation is similar across a majority of our neighbouring watersheds and much of eastern and southwestern Ontario is in a Level I Low Water Condition with some watersheds at a Level II Low Water Condition. In light of the current conditions, our monitoring has increased and follow up discussions are being scheduled with our Low Water Response Team. ”
Under the Level I Low Water Condition, water users in the Conservation Halton watershed are asked to voluntarily conserve water with the aim of reducing overall consumption by 10 percent. The Low Water Condition is based on criteria set by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF).
 If you are drawing water from a well on your property the Conservation Authority wants you to cut back by at least 10% Water users which rely on municipal sources are not subject to these cutbacks at this time, however municipal governments, such as Halton Region, may implement water conservation measures. Conservation Halton’s watershed was last in a Level I Low Water Condition in 2012 for just over 6 months (from June to December).
The Conservation Halton watershed is comprised of the Bronte, Grindstone, and Sixteen Mile Creek watersheds that encompass portions of Puslinch, Hamilton, Halton Hills, Milton, Mississauga, Burlington and Oakville, as well as a number of smaller urban creek watersheds located in Burlington and Oakville.
 Grindstone Creek also has low water levels. A Level I condition triggers a call for a voluntary cutback of 10 per cent by users taking water from wells or surface water sources. Major water users, such as golf courses, aggregate extractors, farm irrigators and others are asked to implement or continue their water conservation programs to reach the 10 percent target. Rural water users can lower the demand on the watercourses and aquifers by pumping water at a lower rate, storing it in ponds or by staggering their pumping times in conjunction with neighbours to lower peak demand.
Conservation Halton, in partnership with the MNRF, monitors local water level and precipitation amounts. In the event of water shortages or a drought, Conservation Halton works closely with local water users and other government agencies to coordinate water conservation efforts and try to reduce demand.
Under the Province’s Ontario Low Water Response strategy, local water users and managers establish Water Response Teams (WRT) in areas experiencing low water conditions so the local community can carry out actions to reduce and better manage water use. The Low Water Response Team, coordinated by Conservation Halton in its watershed, consists of representatives from the Province, Municipalities, Conservation Authorities, local water users and industry groups. There are four levels of Low Water Conditions:
Normal – Normal Conditions are within normal limits.
Level I – First indication of potential water supply problems, primarily a warning level – key focus is on voluntary conservation of water
Level II – Indicates a potentially serious problem – conservation of water is extended to restrictions on non-essential uses
Level III – Indicates a failure of the water supply to meet demand – key focus is on conservation, regulation and enforcement of non-essential uses.
Halton’s Outdoor Water Restriction Level 1 – Blue – Careful Use
Voluntary odd/even day lawn-watering in effect.
The following outdoor water uses are allowed:
Water newly planted seed or sod.
Water trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens.
Sprinklers for recreational use.
Splash pads.
Fill swimming pools and hot tubs.
Fill garden ponds or fountains.
Wash cars.
Wash building exteriors (i.e. sheds)
Burlington fire chief issues fire ban:
The city of Burlington has banned fire pit and chimineas in the city due to hot weather.
 By Staff
July 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a long investigation, began in May 2016 when the Halton Police in partnership with Hamilton Police, began to investigate a series of automobile thefts.
 On the 6th of July 2016, the investigation concluded with search warrants being executed at five separate locations within the Hamilton area.
As a result of this investigation three parties were charged with several automobile theft and drug related offences.
Charges:
Theft of Motor Vehicle x 13
Possession Over x 18
Conspiracy to Commit (one count each)
CDSA 5 (2)
CDSA 4 (1)
Proceeds
Breach Probation x 4
Breach Recognizance
The charged parties are:
Dwight Gifford 34 years of age from Hamilton
Dwayne Dyer 35 years of age from Hamilton
Devon Edwards 33 years of age from Hamilton
Anyone who may have information about this investigation is asked to call investigators at the Burlington Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-825-4747 extension 2307, Or Det. G. Gallant Hamilton Police Auto Squad 905-546-3820.
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).
By Pepper Parr
July 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited (‘WNDAL’), a company retained by Adi Morgan Developments (Lakeshore) Inc. to assist in the development approval process associated with the redevelopment of the property known municipally as 374 and 380 Martha Street submitted the following to the city on June 29th. The city has yet to make this information public.
 The original architectural rendering for the property the Adi group proposed building at the intersection of LAkeshore Road and Martha Street. The original application was for a 28-storey mixed use building consisting of 226 residential dwelling units and 348 square metres of non-residential gross floor area at grade
The Adi Group then bought the house on Martha Street to the north of their development site and asked the Ontario Municipal Board to adjourn the hearing they asked for while they worked out a new design with the city.
The OMB Commissioner gave them until June 30th to submit a new design.
The following is a description of the design.
The enlarged site is approximately square shaped with frontage on both Martha Street and Lakeshore Road and dimensions of approximately 40.6 metres by 41.7 metres. The configuration of the enlarged site allows for the elimination of the above-grade parking garage in favour of residential and amenity space, and a reduction in the height of the podium from five storeys to one- and three-storeys above which a 23-storey tower would rise for a total height of 26 storeys (88.4 m), inclusive of the podium.
More specifically, the following is a list of the revisions that have been incorporated into the Revised Proposal since the Resubmission:
• The area of the development site has been increased from 1,359 square metres to 1,701 square metres;
• The height of the podium element has been reduced from five-storeys to one- and three- storeys. All above-grade parking has been eliminated from the podium in favour of residential units and amenity space;
• The overall gross floor area has been increased from 15,089 square metres to 19,159 square metres (which is primarily the result of the substitution of the above grade parking with residential and amenity space uses);
• The floor space index has increased slightly from 11.1 FSI to 11.26 FSI;
 The original site for the development did not include 380 Martha Street. • The overall residential dwelling unit count has been revised from a total unit count of 192 units consisting of 145 one-bedroom units, 45 two-bedroom units and 2 three-bedroom units to a total of 240 residential dwelling units consisting of 4 studio units, 162 one-bedroom units (including one-bedroom plus den), and 74 two-bedroom units (including two-bedroom plus den);
• Indoor and outdoor amenity areas have been redesigned and now consist of 435 square metres of indoor amenity (plus storage lockers) whereas there was previously 428 square metres of indoor amenity space and 693 square metres of outdoor amenity space (plus private balconies and amenity space) whereas there was previously 493 square metres of outdoor amenity space. Amenity areas are now proposed to be located on the 2nd, 4th, and 20th storeys;
• The amount of parking has been increased commensurate with the increase in the number of units such that now there will be 241 parking spaces for 240 residential units, all of which are located below grade; and
• The area of the ground floor retail space has increased from 327 square metres to 423.2 square metres;
The consultants argue that the enlarged site continues to represent good planning and is an appropriate form of development for the subject site within a Downtown Burlington context.
The document we obtained does not include any architectural renderings.
 Adi brothers appear to have taken on a partner for the controversial Martha Street development. What is interesting to note is that Adi now appears to have a partner in this development. The corporate name used is Adi Morgan Developments (Lakeshore) Inc.
It is still a 23-storey tower that would rise above a three storey podium for a total of 26 storeys.
One additional note: Mayor Goldring is reported to have been asking people what they thought of a ten storey structure.
By Staff
July 7, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police responded to a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle on North Service Road between Walkers Line and Guelph Line in the City of Burlington.
At 2:10 pm, this afternoon, a 78 year-old St. Catharines woman was a passenger in an eastbound vehicle on North Service Road. The car drove past a police officer parked in a driveway on the north side of the service road conducting traffic enforcement.
The occupants of the car were lost, so the driver pulled over on the south shoulder of the roadway east of the officer. The woman got out of the vehicle to walk back to the officer for directions. While attempting to cross the roadway, the woman walked into the path of a westbound SUV and she struck by the vehicle.
The woman was rushed to a Trauma Centre where she is currently in critical condition.
A section of North Service Road was closed for approximately 3 hours for the collision scene investigation. The driver of the SUV, a 51-year-old Hamilton man, was not injured in the collision.
Alcohol and speed are not believed to be factors in the collision.
Anyone witnesses are asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at (905) 825-4747 ext. 5065 or call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com.
By Pepper Parr
July 7, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
It certainly wasn’t her first time before an audience speaking but it was an occasion when the Burlington Chamber of Commerce got to grill MP Karina Gould on the issues that mattered to them.
The under 30 member of parliament has some work to do on a number of files but doesn’t need any help knowing when to move a matter off her plate.
 In this photograph, Burlington MP Karina Gould explains to a listener how to get a job done. She appeared at the Chamber of Commerce BBQ eaarlier this week to talk about her work and the speech she heard United States president Obama give to the House of Commons. When asked about hydro rates she was quick to explain that it was a provincial matter. When asked to talk about cross border issues that impacted Burlington based corporations Gould realized that she had a lot to learn – and hopefully she makes a point of getting back to Jim Peters who explained that he exports 75% of his production and expects that to grow to 90% in the very near future.
Moving senior staff back and forth across the borders to deal with human resource matters is something the Americans are very touchy about. It is a tricky matter and one that business people across the country have to deal with on a regular basis. They could use some help.
The Chamber of Commerce holds a BBQ every summer – the idea is to grill both the food and the Member of Parliament.
Gould held her own but there are a number of files she is going to need to brush up on.
As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development et la Francophonie, Gould gets to put her experience with trade matters to good use when she travels with the Minister.
She took part in an international conference in Turkey several months ago and expects to spend some time with the Minister in Kenya soon.
It will be interesting to see how she performs when she meets with the Chamber of Commerce next summer. They will want her to be more on top of their concerns next year.
By Pepper Parr
July 7th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Building a city that is going through a significant stage in its development means working with a number of very large parts – that are all moving at the same time – in different directions.
The GO trains are going to have 15 minute service at some point in the not too distant future – that will change the way people commute. Tat service is going to be electrified, apparently starting in the Aldershot part of the GO system and on through to Union Station.
 The Escarpment is a no go zone when it comes to intensification – except for the hamlets of Lowville and Kilbride. The city has now completed its much touted Strategic Plan – now the Official Plan has to be completed to fit in with the Strategic Plan and at the same time comply with the provincial places to grow Plan and the restrains that are placed on Burlington with the Escarpment Greenbelt Plan.
The province has determined how many people are going to move into Burlington – that means having homes for them to live in – and that means some form of intensification.
Next to garbage collection – intensification is probably the most challenging file the planners have to work with.
City council will be in a half day Committee of the whole session later today going through all the options that present themselves – where should intensification take place – how much?
Mary Lou Tanner, the new planner has a solid grip on what has to be done – it is the how she is going to do it that matters now.
That means putting ideas before members of council who will determine a policy. Before that policy gets nailed down by council the issues have to be taken to the public – which is not as full informed as it could be.
 Mary Loy Tanner – Director of Planning Tanner decided to hold a media briefing – something new for this town – which she did via a conference call during which the manager of communications for the city began to explain to journalists who have been covering this file for some time just what an Official Plan was. It was embarrassing – and not all that accurate. In Burlington we call these an “opportunity to learn”.
We know now that there will be something in the way of physical amenities in the station West development the ADI Development group are working on. The rules that were in place when the development first came to the public’s attention didn’t require as much as a sandbox.
Our information is that there is a ¾ hectare park/public space worked into the plans.
There is now more of a critical mass in the Upper Middle Road – Appleby Line part of the city – new forms of development are expected to take place there.
Tanner mentioned that there is some land assembly taking place in the downtown core as well – being driven in part by the development of the Paradigm project on Fairview next to the GO station.
There is also a significant focus on the Plains Road – Fairview corridor that is currently one of the most pedestrian unfriendly parts of town. Not a road one wants to drive a bike on.
Tanner has come up with a tag line she uses to describe the direction she is going in: Up – Smart – Beautiful. She speaks in terms of “appropriate density”; a term that will mean something different to everyone she talks to.
Tanner went to some lengths to assure people in established, mature communities that they aren’t going to see a 20 storey condo on their street. Maybe now those same residents will agree to not cut down trees that are on their private property.
 A planners idea of what the Roseland Plaza could look like after intensification. The Roseland Plaza and the Burlington Mall were referred to as “aging plaza’s and are seen, apparently. as places that could handle more in the way of density.
Affordable housing is still a serious concern in Burlington. While affordable housing is a Regional responsibility – it is the city’s planning department that has to work directly with the developers – in the past there have been some unfortunate miscommunications.
 One of two prime pieces of property on the south side of Old Lakeshore Road on the market. There is something going on in the Old Lakeshore Road part of the city where the Bridgewater project is well underway. Two prime properties on the south side of Old Lakeshore Road – just east of Emmas Back Porch have for sale signs on them.
 Both pieces of property are on the market. There is a wonderful opportunity to do something both splendid and spectacular in that part of the city.
By Staff
July 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is exceedingly hot out there – and there is a 79 year old resident of Burlington who has Alzheimer’s and has been missing since July 5, 2016
 Helen Robertson Helen Robertson has been missing since July 5, 2016. She is described as: white, 5’2, 110 lbs, white collar length hair, slim build, glasses. Possibly wearing a red, long sleeved collared shirt and two different shoes.
Helen has Alzheimer’s and has been missing since July 5, 2016. She is described as: white, 5’2, 110 lbs, white collar length hair, slim build, glasses. Possibly wearing a red, long sleeved collared shirt and two different shoes. ( Photo’s attached)
The current focus on the search for Helen is within the Millcroft area where people are asked to check their properties including outbuildings and other structures for Helen.
Anyone with information is asked to call Halton Police at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2305
By Staff
July 6. 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Fire Department has issued a fire ban, effective immediately, prohibiting all outside fires in Burlington, including open air burning, controlled brush burning and recreational burning.
 Brush fires start with a single spark – and in this hot, dry weather they spread very quickly. Wild fire means just that – a fire that has gone wild. “Brush fires tend to occur during hot, dry weather especially when there is a lack of rainfall as we have been experiencing during the past few weeks,” said Chief Fire Prevention Officer Joe Wintar.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the fire danger rating is high for the Burlington area and the forecast of hot weather with limited rainfall is expected to continue in the upcoming days.
 Open fire pits are banned uni the Fire Chief lifts the ban. “Open air burning, including fire pits and chimineas, poses a risk to nearby combustible materials such as sheds, decks and landscape materials, which can increase the risk of brush fires,” said Wintar.
 Chimeneas are banned until the Fire Chief lifts the ban. Residents are being reminded to be cautious when using outdoor candles and other backyard items that may produce heat or flame.
People failing to comply with open air burning regulations in the Ontario Fire Code and Burlington’s open air burning bylaw may be fined. The City of Burlington has set a cost-recovery charge of more than $450 per responding vehicle for the fire department to respond to a location where open air burning is not approved.
All burning permits are suspended until further notice to protect public safety. No burning can take place during smog alert days and open air burning bans.
If you are unsure if a ban is in effect, contact the Burlington Fire Department at 905-637-8253 or visit www.burlington.ca/openairburning for more information about open air burning and safety tips.
By Staff
July 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington has awarded $35,870 to eight community projects as part of the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund launched earlier this year to encourage residents to come together to lead neighbourhood and community projects.
“Vibrant cities are based on vibrant neighbourhoods,” said Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. “We want residents to be engaged in making their neighbourhoods great places to live and play. This fund makes it easier for neighbours to come together to support a unique project that enhances their neighbourhood.”
The eight community projects selected are:
• Lakeshore Public School – improvements to the baseball diamond
• Mountainside community – art workshops
• Pinemeadow Park – a playground made from natural materials
• Alton Village – a weekly community picnic
• Bruce T. Lindley Public School – a landscape improvement project
• Norton Community Park – a new mural
• General Brock Park – a greening improvement project
• A literacy project for individuals with developmental disabilities.
 Griffin Gervais and his mother Carrie they won one of the city’s neighbourhood development matching grants. The selected groups will receive up to 50 per cent of the funding for their projects from the city, up to a maximum of $5,000. The community groups behind each project will then match this funding with an equal contribution made up through any combination of volunteer hours, donated services, donated materials and supplies or other funds raised, such as cash donations.
 They pulled it off – got a grant from th city – In no specific order: Sawyer Cobham. Scott Rose, Griffen Gervais, Kayden Maslanyk discuss the problems with their ball diamond. “We are so impressed with the incredible ideas the community brought forward in their applications,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “I look forward to seeing these eight unique projects come to life.
It’s our hope that these projects, built by the community for the community, will bring neighbours together and help build a sense of belonging and strong community connections.”
Work on the eight projects will take place over the next year.
Groups interested in learning more about application submissions for 2017 can visit www.burlington.ca/matchingfund.
Related article:
How the grant from the city was won.
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