By Pepper Parr
June 18th, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The folks who lived close to the Burlington Air Park have learned to keep their eyes wide open and be ever vigilant. It was a call from a north Burlington resident that alerted us to the heavy truck traffic on Appleby Line that got the Gazette involved in this story that went from a delegation at city hall where the lawyer representing or speaking for the air park got turfed to the point where there was a Superior Court case which the city won and then an appeal of that case which the city also won.
Some people expect the Air Park to seek leave to appeal the latest court case to the Supreme Court of Canada. While the air park argument asking that the lower court ruling be set aside was decided faster than rabbits make bunnies there is some merit in taking this issue as far as it can go so that both the municipalities across the country can be certain just what authority they have on operations that are governed by federal legislation. The development industry has an interest in some clarification as well. Whether or not McMillan LLB or Peter E. J. Wells is the firm to take this any further is an interesting question that will get discussed by the downtown Toronto legal community at their favourite watering hole.
Given not only the principles involved but also the amount of money on the table and a 200 acre piece of land – it is reasonable to conclude that this is far from over.
Everyone watches everything very closely. While the city waits to learn if there is another appeal – you can bet much more than your lunch money that the city and its legal counsel are looking at all the possibilities. The air park people are doing exactly the same thing.
Which is what made a real estate listing on Appleby Line more than just a sign on a lawn. A large property – 88 acres – was listed for a very healthy $7,880,000.The property is described as “near Highway 401- 407, which is true and with a picturesque view of the Escarpment. The listing goes on to say there are possible future developments.
This is north Burlington rural property and was the subject of a lot line adjustment application that was needed by Vince Rossi to expand one of his runways.
Expect someone to complain vociferously to the real estate bodies about what has been called by one Burlingtonian as false and misleading advertising.
The property is on protected, greenbelt land – zoned rural, rural residential, rural agricultural.
It is described as: Gated Luxury Custom Built Ranch Style Bungalow Featuring Approx. 9000 Sq Ft Of Living Space. High Quality Finishes With Detail. Blue Lagoon Salt- Water Pool.
Must be nice. Taxes were shown as $6,880,00
Holy moses! I just checked out the listing and see that is categorized as “Commercial”. That certainly IS false and misleading representation by that agent.
Really? how do you know this to be false and misleading? and what business is it of anybody’s?
Paula, as per Mr. Parr’s informative article: the property lies entirely on “zoned rural, rural residential, rural agricultural.”
And my understanding of “protected greenbelt lands” means NO development, and certainly no COMMERCIAL development.
Who’s business is it? It should be the business of every resident in Burlington who values the rural countryside that we are privileged to have just a 7 minutes drive north of the lake.
Honestly, it’d be a shame if you live in our city and you don’t care, Paula.
You could have a commercial use on an agricultural property, and you could potentially develop for example a horse training facility. Unless you know what you are criticizing, don’t until you know what you need to know first. I actually care about all the critics in this city who think they know something when they don’t.
Are you nuts?
A $7mill home with $6mill taxes? Cant you get the most basic details correct!?!!?
Editor’s note: THAT was a blooper – an extra zero got stuck in there – spell checker doesn’t catch those. The error was corrected – than you for bringing it to our attention.