Burlington Council Unanimously Refuses Proposed 30 & 35 Storey Towers at 2020 Lakeshore Rd. & Receives & Files Waterfront Hotel Planning Study

Development
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*ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTE: An appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal on this application was received April 28, 2022 for the refusal of the Official Plan and Zonign Bylaw amendments for 2020 Lakeshore Road - Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc.

Our planning staff have provided a very thorough rationale for why this application should be rejected. The application is not reflective of the feedback we have heard from the community over many years related to this landmark site.  We have heard loud and clear residents want to see more parkland on this site next to our jewel of a waterfront park.The many other deficiencies with this application have been well articulated in staff’s report and are summed up well in this section on page nine: ‘The subject application(s) are not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement as they propose development at an intensity that exceeds what is considered to be an appropriate level for its local context within the land use patterns of the Regional Official Plan and Official Plan.’Regarding the Waterfront Hotel Study, given the information that has recently come to light, we have simply filed this report. We will have more to say about next steps in coming weeks." -- Joint Statement by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward & Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns

*ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTE: At a Special Council meeting held at 11 a.m. on April 12, 2022, prior to the Special Council meeting scheduled for 1 p.m., Council went into closed session to receive Confidential Legal Advice Respecting PL-28-22 Waterfront Hotel Study & PL-24-22 OP and Zoning By-law applications for 2020 Lakeshore Road (L-20-22). Council unanimously approved a staff direction to publicly release Appendix A attached to confidential report L-20-22 immediately. You can read the memo and correspondence here: L-20-22 Memorandum from Mark Simeoni - from Special Council Meeting 11 am April 12 2022.Staff rationale for recommending refusal of proposed development applications for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. (Waterfront Hotel Site) that included 30- and 35-storey towers:

  • The subject applications:
    • Are not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS);
    • Do not conform to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (the Growth Plan);
    • Do not conform to The Region of Halton Official Plan (ROP);
    • Do not conform to the City of Burlington Official Plan (OP);
    • Do not conform to the City of Burlington New Official Plan (New OP); and
    • Do not satisfy the Key Policy Directions endorsed by Council for the site.

*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — April 13, 2022 — Yesterday, at a Special Meeting of City of Burlington Council, council voted to accept the recommendation in staff report PL-24-22 and refuse the applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment submitted by Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. proposing a mixed-use development at the site of the current Waterfront Hotel and subject of the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study.City staff evaluated the applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. under all applicable policies, regulations, and guidelines. They considered all comments received from technical reviewers and the public.The proposed development is not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, does not conform with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, does not conform with Halton Region’s Official Plan and does not conform to the policies of the City of Burlington Official Plan (1997 as amended). The proposed development also does not conform to the City’s new Official Plan (2020). These factors led Staff to recommend refusal of the subject applications.At another Special Council meeting also held yesterday, City Council voted to receive and file the Waterfront Hotel Study Planning Justification Report.BackgroundLocated next to two of Burlington's most significant landmarks, Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, the City asked for input to make sure the new development would reflect a high quality of urban design that would enhance the community's access to the waterfront and the downtown.Public meetings were held in February 2022 on both the planning study and the development application for residents and stakeholders to talk about the study process and hear from City staff and the consultant team. Information for the projects were posted on Waterfront Hotel Planning Study webpage and the City’s online engagement platform, Get Involved Burlington. Information was also posted to the burlington.ca/2020lakeshore webpage.RELATED LINKS:

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