Developers have about four months left before City Council has to take their hands off the levers and work at getting elected.

By Pepper Parr

January 11^th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

The pace at which things get done has become a concern for the development sector, both for the small operators and the big guys.

“We have between now and May to get some work done – after that, things move into an election mode and nothing happens until early 2027.  And who knows what kind of leadership the city is going to have?” is the view of a person who declined to be named.

Property owners are going to test public reaction before submitting an application to the city.

There are some really important developments in various stages of getting a building permit.  And there is a housing market that is sluggish.   The pre-application meeting, scheduled for later this month, is a sign that there are people who think they can get to the point where they can have a motion before Council asking for both Official Plan changes and zoning changes as well.

The problems surrounding a possible change in the status of the Burlington Economic Development and Tourism (BEDT)are also critical to a number of the development at various stages of approval.  That issue is complex and may not attract much in the way of public interest.  It could well be one of the most critical changes in how Burlington attracts new organizations to see Burlington as home.

There are those in Burlington who see an opportunity for the city in attracting organizations currently in Toronto that have a considerable portion of their staff living in Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton.  With people now having to return to their offices full-time, being able to work closer to home is attractive.

There is a rising demand for office space in Toronto.  Put all those factors together, and Economic Development moves to the top of the priority list.

The City Manager (CAO), Curt Benson has committed to having a report to Council on this issue by April.  That’s awfully close to when the city moves into election mode.

Some developers are eager to see which direction the city takes:  Keeping BEDT as it is, or moving the not-for-profit into City Hall.

Should the latter happen the changes that will have to take place will take time – something the development community see as their investment plans being put on hold.

The two biggest properties that developers want to get to the point where a building permit can be issued are the Alinea development at 12200 King Road and the Bronte Meadows property.

The property runs from King Road west to the Aldershot GO station.

Plans for this property are for two separate communities.