By Pepper Parr
January 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The issue is urban flooding.
Millcroft Greenspace Alliance (“MGA”) makes that point very clear when they oppose the Millcroft Golf Course development application. MGA spokesperson Daintry Klein the spokesperson, has said in the past that MGA is not against development just don’t do it at the expense of the storm water management system that is in place.
Urban flooding is the most common type of flooding in Ontario caused by loss of greenspace, inadequate or aging stormwater infrastructure and climate change. It results in drainage systems becoming overwhelmed and is not to be confused with riverine flooding.
A community built around a golf course. Developer wants to add to the community by building on part of the golf course.
The Millcroft Golf Course was designed and originally zoned as permanent open space to mitigate this type of flooding according to the engineering approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs in 1986.
Argo development, a partner in Millcroft Greens has applied to rezone the golf course and build luxury homes on this greenspace completely reversing its intended design and purpose.
Klein adds: “To date, the Province has not responded to the requests by the City and the Region (Sept 26 and Oct 18/23) to stop the development application by Millcroft Greens before the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for March.
“Given that the Province continues to ignore the information available to it, including the Auditor General’s report on Climate Change Adaptation and Reducing Urban Flood Risk dated November 2022, it’s not surprising. The report could get in the way of Ford’s habit of favouring developers.
“It is ironic”, said Klein,” that Argo benefited from a Minister’s Zoning Order in Brampton with little input from the municipality, but now that Burlington’s public safety is at risk after a full review by the City, the Minister of Municipal Affairs is silent.”
The Millcroft Greenspace Alliance (“MGA”) has Party status at the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal where they can ensure that the extensive research the group has done is properly presented.
It is unusual for a community group to get Party status. Klein sees this is as the place where the City can be held accountable for their unanimous opposition when the discussions become confidential.
Daintry Klein, MGA spokes person
Klein points out that MGA, is the only community group challenging the stormwater issues. Conservation Halton does not concern itself with urban flooding and has not put forward a witness statement to the Tribunal.
The City, for its part sets out how the developer could improve their application to potentially gain acceptance at the Tribunal.
“Despite MAD, (Millcroft Against Development) collecting and sharing information with the City of Burlington and Conservation Halton, none of this information has been submitted to the OLT”, said Klein.
She adds: “We have heard the City say in the past, after they have lost at the OLT, that “they did their best”.
MGA has communicated to the Mayor their concern that pertinent information has been omitted in the City’s position and that the community deserves full disclosure to the OLT of the situation here in Millcroft.
Millcroft Greenspace Alliance has hired a hydrogeological expert and an experienced environmental lawyer who was previously successful at the OLT opposing a Nelson Aggregates application.
The MGA hydro-geological expert has submitted a comprehensive witness statement including details that the City and CH choose to ignore.
For more information, www.millcroftgreenspacealliance.ca
Related news stories:
What flooding in Millcroft looks like
I can understand Ms. Klein’s concern with how much support at the OLT her group will really get from the City even though the City is also a party to the Hearing as is the MGA. Seems she’s left guessing at this point and knowing the City’s absolute dismal Hearing success in the past is not a comfort.
I too am wondering how much support from the City and the Region, as parties at another OLT Hearing, will give to my research they have of the traffic danger to Guelph Line drivers from possible resident vehicles entering/exiting at a proposed new condo south of Upper Middle Road at 1396 Guelph Line. The next telephone Hearing is in February and will be a test of the City, the Region and the OLT itself on how long this file continues to drag along when vehicular safety is the primary reason this condo should not be built. Who will really stand up for citizen safety over profit. The obligation of all governmental parties should be to not knowingly put citizens in harm’s way. I’ll have to see how this plays out.
This parallels MGA’s concern about how seriously the parties really care about the environment, water control and about flooding of homes in Millcroft and downstream through south Burlington. Surely profit cannot always be the only motive to get homes built where they should not be built.