Mayor, Regional Chair ask Hydro One CEO for Support in Relocating, Burying Transmission Lines at Burlington Beach Regional Park

Last week, Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr and I sent a letter to the CEO of Hydro One regarding a request for Hydro One Inc. support to relocate and/or bury transmission lines to implement the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park Master Plan. Please click this link (Letter to Mark Poweska - Hydro One Networks Inc - Nov. 12, 2020) or see below.--November 12, 2020Mark Poweska, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hydro One Networks Inc. Dear Mr. Poweska,At the Halton Regional Council meeting on October 21, 2020, Council received an update to the implementation of the Burlington Beach Waterfront Park, an exciting initiative of benefit to the local community and beyond. We are threfore writing to bring an issued to your attention that is specific to the successful implementation of the park.In 2015, Halton Regional Council approved a Master Plan for the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park, in the City of Burlington. The Master Plan proposed a year-round waterfront park that will draw visitors from the City, the Region and beyond. The approved Master Plan is a source of pride for the City of Burlington. It defines the vision for this park and its attractions, while allowing for the restoration and protection of the beach and une ecosystem and the natural heritage areas.In development the Master Plan the presence of the transmission lines was identified as visually and physically obtrusive, detracting from the vision for the park. As such, Regional Council overwhelmingly supported the relocation and/or burial of the transmission lines as part of the overall Master Plan.We are writing to you to seek your team's full cooperation to support Halton Region and the City of Burlington in relocating and/or burying the transmission lines at the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park. While we understand that Regional and City staff teams are working with your team to explore options, it is imperative that we underscore the importance of this initiative from the perspective of Regional Council and the Halton community. At the Regional Council meeting of October 21st, Council support funding to undertake a more detailed study to support the removal and/or burying of transmission towers and lines in the beach area.We thank you and your staff's ongoing support and movement on this important issue.Sincerely,Gary Carr, Regional ChairMarianne Meed Ward, Mayor, City of Burlington