By Staff
June 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We are pretty certain that Don Smith was not really offering curb side pick up – the sign could perhaps have been revised.
Sign outside the Smith Funeral Home on Brant Street
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June 13th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
The Black Lives didn’t seem to matter all that much on a nice sunny Saturday afternoon when they had announced that they were going to protest what they saw as unacceptable social behavior to the Black community.  Civic Square was barren – not a protester in sight. This battle between Kelly’s Bake Shop and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement had been boiling for a bit – taking up all kinds of oxygen on social media sites. A protest demonstration had been promoted for Saturday afternoon at 4:00 pm Kelly’s public relations people said they understood the protest event was not going to take place – saying that information came from the police.  Police cruiser parked across the street from city hall.  Police cruiser with camera mounted to allow for 360 crowd capture. The police didn’t give out any information but they did plan to have a presence at whatever event took place. Two cruisers were parked adjacent to city hall and another was driving around the area. Turns out no one showed up – and no one said that no one would be showing up.  Sign on the Kelly’s Bake Shop front door: No cup cakes – not even take out for the BLM crowd Kelly Childs wasn’t at all sure there wasn’t going to be a crowd – she closed up shop at 2:00 pm. Much ado about nothing – but there is an issue here that does need to be fully addressed. Related news stories: Black Lives Matter hold march – 5000 take part BLM announce a protest event at Civic Square Kelly’s Bake Shop PR firms says it wont take place
June 13th, 2020 – 1:34 pm BURLINGTON, ON
We received the following about half an hour ago: This is Emily Ward on behalf of Kelly’s Bake Shoppe. The team has read your article and would have liked the opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
As a journalist, I would implore you to seek both sides of the story in an unbiased manner as spreading misconceptions doesn’t help the movement or positive change, which Kelly’s Bake Shoppe is committed to. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a follow up interview to provide your readers with more information about the recent events. We took a pass on the opportunity to talk to the public relations representative. In the past we have experienced either significant spin around a story we were following up on or were given much less than the truth. We did check in with the Burlington division of the Halton Regional Police where Sgt Bishop advised us that they were aware of the event, which they expect to be peaceful – but they will have police officers in the area. I asked if the police had cancelled the event. Sgt Bishop say “that is not within our purview”. Related news story:
June 13th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
If you happen to be on both highways 400 and 401 between June 14th and June 17th and you see a large number of Armed Forces vehicles – relax. These are troops returning to Kingston from a training exercise at Camp Borden North West of Toronto close to Alliston.  Canadian Armed Forces troop movements Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members from Canadian Forces Joint Operational Support Group (CFJOSG) will conduct a road move, returning to their home unit at CFB Kingston, between June 14 and June 17. While at CFB Borden, the team practiced opening a theatre of operations by building a tented camp during a pandemic environment. The camp is designed to house 250 people with all necessary real-life support capabilities. The public is advised that vehicles will carry tentage, generators, ablutions, cots/furniture, and kitchens. The CAF is committed to creating and sustaining well-trained, well-equipped, and well-led units to meet a diversity of challenges in any environment around the world. Drivers and pedestrians are asked to remain patient and show their support to the troops on the road as our soldiers make their way back to Kingston.
June 13th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
This could become just a little awkward. Embarrassing as well The province has said we can make our get close and comfortable circle which the province calls our bubble – also known as a social circle. We were limited to five people – at first we all had to live in the same house. No one followed it all the tightly – the Premier broke that rule when it was convenient for him The province, despite the fact that the number of new infections each day is nowhere near being flat, as decided that we can now have social circles of up to ten people – with some rules. You can only belong to one circle and you have to swear the equivalent of a loyalty oath that you won’t wonder into a different circle.  Only a bureaucrat that has worked for the government too long could write rules like this. Here are the rules. How do you decide who will be in your circle – Is Mom a given?  Is Mom on the list ? How do you manage that issue? Close friends who aren’t family but they are great conversationalists and they always bring really good wine. People that had a habit of dropping by can be managed – the “boy” who brings his laundry home when he visits – along with the girlfriend that you don’t particularly approve of. Do you now have a solution to that problem? What do you do for your damaged ego when you don’t get included in a bubble you thought you were already a part of?
June 12th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
There will be something in the way of a summer program if and when the province decides to let Burlington move to Stage 2 of the re-opening of the province.  Splash pads will be open. Splash pads will open – not all of them.  Some rinks will be open – Appleby and Aldershot will not be opened – nor will Skyway Some of the ice rinks will be open but only for groups that have the permission of their Sports organization. The one expected to make the most use is the figure skating people. The Parks and Recreation people need to be assured that there will be at least 40 hours of ice time rented, preferably 60 before they begin to make ice – a process that will take two weeks.  Outdoor pools will be open Outdoor pools will be opened – subject to whatever the province puts in place in terms of rules and approval from the Regional Public Health Unit. Mayor Meed Ward said she would like to see at least one indoor pool made available. There will be something in the way of a Summer Camp program – here as well – the city is waiting for the rules. How many children can there be in any one camp; where will the camps be held. At this point the Standing Committee that met virtually on Thursday has more questions than answers. It did give the Parks and Recreation people an additional $300,000 to spend – that was on top of the $500,000 that was already in the budget.
June 11th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
This was just not Kelly Childs week and it doesn’t look as if it is going to get any better. A couple of days of serious critical comment on how the Kelly’s Bake Shop reacted to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement that exists in Burlington and the demonstration they held recently has resulted in a demonstration in Civic Square on Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Pretty ugly
Try as she might, it doesn’t appear that Ms Childs has been able to come up with a response that will satisfy the BLM people
June 12, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
Lakeshore Road at Burlington Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction (half the road will be closed at time) from June 15 to June 16 between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., The lane restrictions are to allow for the installation of a multi-coloured pedestrian crosswalk. Work will be completed during nighttime hours. Lane reductions will be in place for the duration of this work. Priority will be provided to emergency services as required.  Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns posing beside a rainbow painted cross walk – she just might be getting one in her ward. The city media release just says multicolored.
June 12th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police service is investigating the discovery of a body in Lake Ontario, in the area of Burloak Waterfront Park (Burlington). Police presence in the area can be expected as the investigation is ongoing. There is no risk to public safety.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
June 11th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a tough week for members of Council. They have been dealing with normal day to day business; looking at some fascinating tools related to win and shadow studies and trying to get a handle on just what the lock down is doing to the local economy. Burlington Hydro reported on how much of a financial hit they have taken. Their numbers are not that bad – and they have only cut off service to one location for non-payment. The Tourism people talked about the vacancy rates.  The data was obtained from a screen shot of material that was shown to members of council who were meeting in a virtual session. And the finance people are looking at where we are likely to be financially when this is all over – and at the same time casting an eye on what the 2021 budget might look like.  This graph sets out the revenue lost from the shut down of programs and fees tat were not paid  This graph shows what the city has done to offset as much of the revenue loss as possible. Director of Finance Joan Ford produced two graphs that set out what the financial picture looks like. The biggest financial draw has been for transit where there is no revenue and a lot of expense.
Neither mall has paid their taxes – the city is expecting them to be caught up by the end of June.
June 11th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
At some point people will begin going back to work. Will they drive? That will plug the roads and highways. Will they take transit? Would you? The risk is certainly there. Metrolinx has published a video on what they are doing to make the GO train service safe and clean enough to ride.
June 11th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Region released data on where Covid19 infections are located by neighbourhood. Number of infections per 100,000 population. Data is based on the 2016 census.
June 10th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
It was an arm-wrestling contest worth watching – except you couldn’t see the contestants. With city council meetings now viral – we don’t get to see the players – we can hear them though. Yesterday, Dana Anderson, of MHBS, a planning consulting firm, was before council delegating for an extension to the development application the Emshie interests had before the city.  The original plan of sub-division for what has been named Garden Trails looked something like this. Conservation Halton had some issues. The problem with the application is that it came out of an Ontario Municipal Board hearing in 1958 when Tony Millington and Associates was representing the Emshie people. It had languished for years – with as much as five years passing with nothing being done. The city planners had issued a number of extensions – they felt the one had reached the end of the line. They asked council to force Emshih to file a new application, partly because all the technical reports would have to be updated. In the Staff Report planners concluded that: Staff must confirm that the draft approved lot configuration is able to achieve compliance with the current policies. Given this uncertainty, it is not appropriate to grant an extension request for the draft approved plans. Staff are of the opinion that the current proposal should be reviewed against current policies, regulations and standards as part of a new application. The policy framework has changed substantially since draft plan approval in 2001, and given the ecological significance of the lands, it is important that current standards and regulations are considered and maintained. It is not appropriate to assess the proposal using outdated policy framework given that the applicant has not actively been working toward clearing conditions. In the opinion of staff, these requirements are not minor and should not be considered as part of an extension request; but rather, be more appropriately comprehensively reviewed as part of a new plan of subdivision application.  Dana Anderson – MBHS The problem was that – creating a new development application file carried fees that approach 1 million dollars – whereas staying with the current application the fees would come in at around $12,000. You can see what the issue was – Council spent more than half an hour debating that one with the Mayor saying that if the planners have to do the same amount of work on the extension as they would have to do on a new file – then she wanted them to be paid for the work they were going to have to do. Councillors Stolte and Nisan agreed with the Mayor but the other four felt that Emshie should be give some time to do what they could to get the issues resolved. Councillors Galbraith, Kearns, Sharman and Bentivegna voted for an extension to not later than December 31st. The planners left the meeting feeling they were being taken – the city manager wasn’t happy. When this gets to a Council meeting one of the four who voted for the extension might flip. While discussing the fees involved we learned that the city take a bundle, the Conservation Authority takes a bundle and the Region takes a bundle – then they all take an additional fee per house built.
June 10th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
Distance learning – It has been a contentious issue in a lot of Burlington households. The Halton District School Board is providing families and students with the opportunity to provide input through online surveys on their experiences with distance learning and to comment on the impacts COVID-19 has had on student mental health. The information gathered will help inform how the Board delivers education and mental health supports in the fall. All HDSB families, and students in Grade 4-12, are invited to provide input online between June 10-25 by completing these anonymous surveys: Links to the surveys are:  David Boag, Associate Director of Education. “As we prepare for the next school year, we continue to monitor information and advice from the Ministry of Education and public health experts,” says David Boag, Associate Director of Education. “We anticipate that schools will not return to ‘normal’ but will instead likely continue to use some aspect of distance learning. The feedback and perspective we receive through the surveys will help guide our planning and direction for reopening schools in the fall, as well as help us prepare to support student mental health needs.” The anonymous surveys are available on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca) on the Distance Learning a nd Well-Being survey page. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Electronic translated versions are available in these languages: Arabic, Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin – Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Urdu.
June 10th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
When a golfing buddy hires the daughter of his golf partner for a summer job – is that nepotism?
A person in the City of Hamilton Finance department has a golfing buddy in Burlington Finance department. The daughter of the Hamilton golfer is reported to be working in Burlington on a summer project. Someone might want to look into that. The Burlington Finance department is one of, if not the, best run department in the city
June 10th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
There is a massive development planned for Fairview Street – just east of the Burlington GO station. It is the biggest development ward 2 has seen – the only development bigger is the Georgian Courts in Aldershot. In that situation it is the complete redevelopment of an existing community.  Seven buildings – not that much in park space and a layout that reflects what developers put up in the 50’s
The former Holland Nursery lands are now known as the Holland Park development, a tribute to the garden supplier that was on the site for years. It is on the North side of Fairview. The lands are owned by a joint venture announced in June 2019. Brookfield Property Group joined a partnership with InterRent REIT and CLV Group to develop a multi-family-anchored, mixed-use project. Because the development meets the current Official Plan and the zoning for the area it doesn’t have to go before City Council. It does have to undergo a Site Plan Review – that process is managed by the Planning department and they aren’t required to hold public meetings. In an interview in March with ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns we commented on the heights that will be permitted and the density. We asked at the time why the development wasn’t on the list of properties being developed. Kearns told us that it met wit the Official Plan and the Zoning – all the city had to do was review the Site Plan and that was not a public process. There is no maximum height for buildings on the site – the sky is the limit. Kearns said that her “own platform position was to work towards a collaborative relationship.” In her discussions with one of the partners, the CLV Group; known apartment operators in the city Kearns said there was mention of a possible curling rink. We asked Kearns if she had any concerns about the 47 storey height the developer had asked for. Kearns replied “Over my dead body”. Due to the size of the development and the impact it will have on that part of the city the public will want to have the opportunity to make some comment. At this point public input has come from the ward Councillor and people she has chosen to involve. Kearns has not identified those people. The review of the site plan is in the hands of the Planning department where a senior planner manages the file However, there is a process where Council can undelegated the authority the Planning department has to proceed with the Site Plan Review. They just pass a motion undelegating the Site Plan review – which means that Review is overseen by Council. Kearns hasn’t made any mention of getting this site Plan Approval put in the hands of Council where citizens can look at what is being proposed and delegate to comment on the plans The Gazette asked the Planning Director Heather MacDonald how this might be done. Jamie Tellier, Manager of Planning Applications, responded through Kwab Ako-Adjei, Director, Corporate Communications & Government Relations who wrote: “The approval authority for site plan applications is delegated to the Director of Community Planning. Notwithstanding this, Council can “undelegate” the approval authority for a specific site plan application from the Director of Community Planning back to Council.” The Gazette was not permitted to talk to Tellier directly. In a recent Newsletter ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns said: “Many residents are taking a keen interest in the lands for development near the Burlington GO – casually known as ‘Holland Park’. ”  The site is a very short walk to the Burlington GO station and the location many felt high rise should be located in. Did anyone expect this many buildings on a site this size? “The owners have been working with City staff to develop the plan over the past 2 years. Meetings included Planning pre-consultation, Burlington Urban Design Review Panel, public site walking tour and several other informal meetings with various City of Burlington departments. “My Councillor Office has met with the applicants in 2019 and 2020, as captured in the Ward 2 Business Meeting Registry.  The Councillors meetings are interesting; does she meet with just developers and are there any detailed minutes? “There is a proposed phased mixed-use development consisting of 7 towers with heights ranging from 29-37 storeys. Towers will include a combination of residential and commercial uses. Parking will be accommodated both underground and at the rear of the property in a parking structure utilizing the required 30 metre setback from the rail.  Kearns listening “The site is an 8.5-acre parcel located east from the Brant and Fairview main intersection – within 250 and 500 metres of the Burlington GO Station (3-5-minute walk), which is recognized under provincial policy as a Priority Transit Corridor and a Gateway Mobility Hub. “The proposal features a public realm experience that includes a linear park located on top of the parking structure, Public Park, focal intersection at the heart of the site and POPS (privately owned public space). “This site is zoned MXT in the City’s existing zoning bylaw, which is a Mixed Use Corridor zone in proximity to the Burlington GO Station. The MXT zone does not have an established maximum height in the existing zoning bylaw. This application will be reviewed in accordance with the City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment 2020.418 that resulted from the findings of the 2019 Interim Control Bylaw Land Use Study and which was approved by Council on Jan. 30, 2020. “Zoning By-law Amendment 2020.418 requires a maximum building height of six storeys within the first 10 metres of Fairview Street and Drury Lane to ensure that future development will achieve an appropriate transition to adjacent areas through a mid-rise, pedestrian-scale built form along these streets.  Councillor Kearns at one of her ward meetings. “However, this Zoning Bylaw amendment is currently under appeal and therefore the Interim Control Bylaw (ICBL) is still in effect. As a result, no approvals will be granted until the appeals have been resolved and the ICBL is no longer in effect. Kearns adds: “ This is one of the rare sites in the City of Burlington where the applicant intends to comply with the Zoning By-law, the site is zoned MXT. This means that a development application proceeds straight to Site Plan – which it now has – and does not follow the process many are familiar with. In contrast, when a Zoning By-law Amendment is requested, the proponent will go through community meetings, a statutory public meeting, and receive a planning recommendation report for Council to vote on. None of these steps are required for applications that are in compliance with the regulations of the Zoning By-law – as is the case for the lands known as “Holland Park”. “For the property including 2243, 2269 Fairview Street & 864 Drury Lane, a subject Site Plan Application was deemed complete and materials have been circulated internal and external review. “Currently in the review phase, this file has not come to the Councillors office for comments as of yet, nor is there an established timeline to announce, including what the impacts of the ICBL on the site’s zoning. “Residents have inquired why this development is not available for public review on the City of Burlington website Current Developments – Ward 2. This is because, unlike a Zoning By-law Amendment and/or Official Plan Amendment, Site Plan Applications are not a public process under the Planning Act.” But the Site Plan Review can be made public – if the Councillor asks her colleagues to approve a motion to undelegated that work and put it in the hands of Council where the public can be included. “As Councillor, I know how important it is to keep the community informed and engaged on such a significant development” said Kearns. “I intend to continue a collaborative approach on this development and bring options to create a complete community with useful the facts amenities on an established transit line. In all likelihood, this will be a size and scale unseen in Burlington, potentially bringing with it anxiety and unrest; without doubt there will be lessons learned to apply to future applications.  Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns at a council meeting “I continue to work with City Staff on new ways to provide the public with technical information and timely progress updates. It is important to be clear that the applicant is working within the existing zoning (set by previous Council) and that decisions on height and density will not come before this Council to grant planning permissions. That said, I remain optimistic and diligent that this development can be done right.” It could be done very right if the Councillor includes all the public and not just her chosen few.
June 9th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
We are currently working from a back up site. Access may be limited for short periods of time. Comments are currently not permitted.
June 9th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
Today, Halton’s Regional Chair along with the Mayors of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville sent a letter to the Ontario Premier outlining how the Halton community has, in fact, met the criteria set by the province to move Stage 2. Halton region does not have the same issues as other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area and Greater Golden Horseshoe, and given this should be allowed to move to Stage 2. In the letter, the Halton Municipalities detailed how the community has met the Provincial criteria. As of June 8: • Halton has 745 confirmed cases and 91 active cases of COVID-19; • no known institutional outbreaks; • Halton’s COVID-19 case numbers make up a small fraction of the total provincial cases; • local hospitals are sustaining adequate capacity; • 90 per cent of new COVID-19 contacts are being reached by Halton Region Public Health within one day; and • strong adherence to physical distancing and public health measures within our community. “Halton Region is appreciative of the Provincial Government’s leadership in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and partnerships with all levels of government continue to be important” said the letter, adding that “As the focus turns to recovery both locally and across Ontario, the Halton Municipalities will continue to protect residents from COVID-19 and support our local economy.  Burlington wants a Stage 2 designation. “The Halton Municipalities strongly urge the province to reconsider allowing Halton Region to transition to Stage 2 of the reopening.” All Mayor Meed Ward had to do was add that Burlington is the best city in the country to live in and that should get us something. Other than that all the phrase does is take up space on media releases and perhaps business cards.
June 9th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
The poster says it all. If you can – please do.  The poster says it all
June 9th, 2020 BURLINGTON, ON
It was a good idea at the time – but by the time the city gets around to this one much of the summer might have passed us by.  Councillor Stolte looking for a response to her motion – put forward last April A motion was presented to Burlington Council on April 20, 2020 by Councillor Shawna Stolte which sought to direct staff to prepare a list of potential streets under the City’s jurisdiction that could be closed for the purpose of allowing space for walking and cycling within the roadway/road allowance in a manner that does not conflict with provincially mandated social distancing regulations. This motion failed, however in its place, the following staff direction was approved: Defer item 14.1 “Shared Streets Burlington” (ADM-02-20) regarding road closures to aid social distancing during the COVID-19 emergency to staff to determine criteria and return back to Committee or Council in May. It is now June In preparing this report, staff kept the following significant principles in mind: • There must be demonstrated and measurable need for increased space for pedestrians and/or cyclists. After careful consideration and taking into account the above principles, staff recommend a “responsive” approach as the best way forward when considering whether to implement road or sidewalk closures. This approach involves the identification of an issue requiring consideration of closures and developing a plan that addresses those site-specific conditions. Once a particular roadway section, intersection or sidewalk has been verified as a problem, staff can take a phased approach commencing with education, signage, coning off areas of conflict and/or proceed with the closure option from the very beginning. With several variables to consider when closing roadways and/or sidewalks, it was determined that setting pre-determined criteria for closures would not give staff the flexibility needed to address a wide range of issues and changing conditions at locations across the city. For example, finding solutions for the downtown or the Aldershot business areas require distinctively different approaches given the needs of merchants versus other areas of the city who may have the luxury of underutilized private parking lots. Given the State of Emergency it is further recommended that the Emergency Control Group (ECG) and Task forces be advised of any need to close roads and sidewalks to ensure consistency and alignment with provincial orders Through the City’s Delegated Authority By-law (099-2012), authority is given to the Director of Transportation Services, Director of Engineering, Director of Roads and Parks Maintenance, and Fire Chief, or their designate(s) to approve short-term emergency and temporary road closures. Any closures which could involve a longer time period will require consultation with Legal Staff and Council approval. In response to the varying needs already identified, the following initiatives have been undertaken by Transportation Services staff: Traffic Signal Timing Changes Paid On-street Parking Conversion to 20 min. Drop Off Zones  Will Burlington see special lanes opened up for cyclists and walkers? The downtown is an obvious source of high numbers of pedestrians, so it is not surprising that it has emerged as an area that requires attention. A number of intersections on Lakeshore Road through the downtown are continually being monitored by staff in order to quickly respond to changing conditions. City By-law staff who are continually circulating around the city are reporting hot spots so that staff can focus their attention on developing solutions. Staff recognize and appreciate the importance of Burlington residents communicating with their ward Councillors. Staff plan on using this intelligence by holding an open weekly invitation to Council members to convey what they hear from their constituents as it relates to pinch points around the city. Options Considered This one gets debated in a virtual city council Standing Committee meeting. .
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To begin with, to our knowledge, the protest has been removed as per the local police force. In addition, when Kelly’s Bake Shoppe heard about the protest, they reached out to the parties to set up a peaceful Q&A where voices could be heard and answers provided. This offer was not followed up on by the group to date.
The lead up to this can be understood in the back and forth on Instagram and Facebook.
Seen as a superb marketer Keely Childs may have come against an issue she cannot skate around.
Social media reaction to her reported views on the Black Lives Matter movement have been vicious.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the 3 District Staff Sergeant at 905-825-4777 ext 2310.
No – but it is certainly bad practice and needs to be nipped early before the stupid decisions escalate.
Service and maintenance work along with upgrades and the installation of a stronger firewall are being installed on the Gazette website.