City of Burlington Work on Waterfront Hotel Planning Study Resuming

"We know the Waterfront Hotel is a key site in our city, right next to our cherished downtown waterfront park. We know we have to get it right, and the time is now, with the Waterfront Hotel study starting up again, and an active application for redevelopment filed. We also need to ensure the public has every opportunity to share their feedback. That’s why Councillor Kearns and I worked together on a motion to direct staff to complete the study and the application review within the required statutory time frames -- so we can record a decision as a community on this site, and not risk an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal for non-decision within the deadline. The best way you can shape the future of what happens here is to participate in both the study, as well as the development application review. We welcome your input and look forward to those discussions." -- Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — Feb. 3, 2022 — The City of Burlington is resuming work on the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study. When the study is completed, it will provide guidance in the redevelopment of this site.Located next to two of Burlington's most significant landmarks, Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, the City is asking for input to make sure the new development reflects a high quality of urban design that enhances the community's access to the waterfront and the downtown.Virtual Public Open House – Feb. 15Residents are invited to join a virtual public open house to talk about the study process and hear from City staff and the consultant team, The Planning Partnership, who will present the preferred concept plan for the site. There will be a Q & A period following the presentation. The open house is on:Tuesday, Feb. 15, 20227 to 8:30 p.m.Zoom or dial +1 647 374 4685 by telephone and enter meeting ID 813 0521 1078Residents also have the opportunity to learn more about the planning study on the City’s online engagement platform, Get Involved Burlington.The Waterfront Hotel Planning Study is separate from the development application process.2020 Lakeshore Rd. Statutory Public Meeting – Feb. 22The City will hold a Statutory Public Meeting under the Planning Act to consider the City staff report concerning the development application for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. City staff will be recommending that Council direct staff to continue to review and process the application. Due to COVID-19, this Statutory Public Meeting will be held virtually.This meeting will take place on:Tuesday, Feb. 22, 20226:30 p.m.Virtual MeetingTo view the meeting details, the Meeting Notice [PDF] or to register to delegate, visit burlington.ca/2020lakeshorePlanning Study Background:In 2017 and 2018, the City began the planning study to guide the redevelopment of the waterfront site at Lakeshore Road and the foot of Brant Street, including the Waterfront Hotel at 2020 Lakeshore Rd. City staff gathered feedback through visioning workshops, public and stakeholder engagement.In mid-2018, the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study was placed on hold due to other Council directed priorities such as the New Official Plan process.For more information on past events and staff reports, visit the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study webpage.On Jan. 11, 2022, City staff presented Council with a study update through staff report PL-15-22.Why the study can resume:The City is able to resume the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study at this time because:

• the re-examination of the New Official Plan Project, including Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown, has been completed,
• approval of the new Official Plan (under appeal), as well as
• the Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s approval, with modifications, of the Regional Official Plan Amendment 48.

City staff, with support from the project consultant, will pick up the work where it left off in 2018, and complete the study. The work is estimated to take four months and will use community input to-date to help develop a final preferred concept.

Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3	Phase 4     current phase	Phase 5
Background Information Collection & Analysis	Opportunities & Constraints Analysis	Development & Evaluation of Alternative Concepts	Report & Recommendation of Preferred Concept	Official Plan Policies, Zoning Regulation & Urban Design
2017 - June 2018			Q1 2022	Q2 2022

The City has this work remaining:

• Phase 4: Report and Recommendation of Preferred Land Use Concept, Q1 2022
  • This phase of the study involves the selection of a preferred concept and the preparation of a Planning Justification Report.
• Phase 5: Official Plan Policies, Zoning and Urban Design Guidelines, Q2 2022
  • The fifth phase of the study includes the development of draft site-specific official plan policies, zoning regulations and urban design and implementation guidelines. This phase will also include a public open house, presentation to Committee and final delivery of the implementing Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment.

"We have heard loud and clear that residents place an extraordinary value on Burlington’s Waterfront. Development concerning the Waterfront Hotel site is extremely important to Ward 2 residents and to residents across our city. The outcome of an active development proposal is paramount to the future of our Waterfront and Spencer Smith Park, not to mention our downtown businesses and residents alike. I encourage everyone to get engaged with the study information, subscribe to the Get Involved page for updates and attend the meetings on the Hotel Study on Feb. 15. and the Statutory Public Meeting on Feb. 22. The City will make a decision on this planning file to ensure that the decision is made at the local level. Let’s come together to give our feedback and make sure the new development results in a property that supports the community's waterfront and downtown experience." -- Ward 2 Counc. Lisa Kearns, City of Burlington

Links and Resources:

• Waterfront Hotel Planning Study
• 2020 Lakeshore Rd. Development Application
• Statutory Public Meeting for Proposed Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. Application for Waterfront Hotel Site on Feb. 22
• City of Burlington Resumes Work on The Waterfront Hotel Planning Study, Virtual Open House Feb. 15

--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist