Mayor’s Mailbag – October 2023 Roundup – Tyandaga Golf Course; MTSA Plans Update; & Public Engagement Dates for 2024 Budget

Mayor's Mailbag
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Welcome to the Mayor’s Mailbag – October 2023 roundup.The Mayor’s Monday Mailbag is a weekly initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Mayor’s Mailbag – October 2023 Roundup

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TYANDAGA GOLF COURSE UPDATEQUESTION:“What’s happening to the Tyandaga Golf Course? I have some questions.”ANSWER:Burlington’s Tyandaga Golf Course is evolving. The City is looking to engage with current and future golfers, residents and neighbours on Tyandaga as a possible 9-hole golf course, in addition to other outdoor recreation opportunities that can be used in the potentially increased greenspace. It’s important to note the overall size of the existing greenspace will not be reduced and will remain a highly-valued, public recreational greenspace for the public to enjoy.Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has stated: “I can say with absolute certainty this Council and City staff will never sell Tyandaga Golf Course. We will never give up an inch of that greenspace. We have heard concerns from the community that this course is at-risk to development. Rest assured, we will never surrender this greenspace. We want to hear from our community about what you would want to see if there is any potential increase in the greenspace there and the overall future use of the golf course.”Everyone is invited to provide ideas and feedback on what the space could be used for. Options include a driving range, practice greens or other outdoor recreation or cultural space. A report will be going to committee at the end of this year with options for the evolution of the golf course. The course will stay as an 18-hole course for 2024. Any changes to the golf course would not happen until 2025 and will require Council approval.The City held 6 in-person engagement opportunities for the public to provide feedback and we thank everyone who shared their input and ideas. Members of the community can still take an online survey at getinvolvedburlington.ca/tyandagagolf and share their feedback that way.The information collected from the online survey, engagement sessions, along with past surveys and engagements, will form the basis for the recommendation to Council on the future model of the golf course.We've compiled a few more frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) that may help provide additional details about this project -- please click/tap the link for more.

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MAJOR TRANSIT STATION AREAS PLANS UPDATEQUESTION:“Are there any updates on the City’s plans for the Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) and any upcoming public engagement opportunities?”ANSWER:In October, the City’s Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA) team will be leading several engagement events on the draft Official Plan Amendment and Community Planning Permit By-law/System for our MTSAs. An overview list of the upcoming events is available further down.The City of Burlington is in our next phase of city-building as we approach full build-out of our urban area. We are looking at area-specific plans (ASPs) for Aldershot GO, Burlington GO and Appleby GO Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) to continue implementing our vision for the right level of intensification for Burlington. We are also looking to protect established neighbourhoods by focusing future population growth to key areas, such as around higher order transit.This work is not new. The City started with the Mobility Hubs Study in 2017-2018 and focused on area-specific planning work for the three GO Station areas. At that time, we gathered feedback through visioning, public engagement and technical studies. From there, we drafted precinct plans for each study area around the Aldershot, Burlington and Appleby GO Stations. In the end, these draft precinct plans were presented to Council for comment, but not approved and the Mobility Hubs Study was placed on hold. For more information on the Mobility Hubs Study including past events and staff reports, please visit the Mobility Hubs Study webpage.City staff are now continuing this work as the MTSA Area-Specific Planning Project. Staff will build upon and refine the work undertaken through the Mobility Hubs Study. This includes:

  • the completion of all required technical studies,
  • more public and stakeholder engagement,
  • completion of three (3) area-specific plans,
  • implementing Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments, and
  • other implementation strategies as required

To stay up-to-date throughout this process, subscribe for email updates on the project page at: getinvolvedburlington.ca/mtsaKEY DATES & UPCOMING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EVENTS:

  • Release of Draft Official Plan Amendment and Community Planning Permit By-law/System
  • Virtual Open House
    • Oct. 12, 6-8 p.m. on Zoom
    • Webinar ID: 899 8062 8040
    • Participate On-line:  https://bit.ly/mtsaopenhouse (internet connection required)
    • Participate by Telephone: 1-647-558-0588 (audio only)
  • All MTSA Drop-In Information Session at Aldershot Library
    • Oct. 16, 6-8 p.m. at Burlington Public Library – Aldershot Branch, 550 Plains Rd. E. (Program Room)
    • This is a drop-in session for the public to learn more and ask questions about the proposed amendment and by-law. While a formal presentation will not be provided, staff will be available to answer any questions.
  • All MTSA Drop-In Information Session at Appleby Library
    • Oct. 17, 6-8 p.m. at Burlington Public Library – New Appleby Branch, 676 Appleby Line (Program Room)
    • This is a drop-in session for the public to learn more and ask questions about the proposed amendment and by-law. While a formal presentation will not be provided, staff will be available to answer any questions.
  • Statutory Public Meeting
  • Share Your Written Comments by Nov. 7, 2023
    • Written comments can be emailed to the MTSA General Mailbox (mtsa@burlington.ca) or mailed to Community Planning Department, P.O. Box 5013, 426 Brant Street, Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6
  • Speak with City Planning Staff
    • The MTSA team have set aside time every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3 p.m. to accommodate any one-on-one meeting requests. Email mtsa@burlington.ca to schedule a meeting

A Notice of Statutory Open House & Public Meeting has been mailed to all owners and tenants within 120 m of the MTSAs. To view a copy of that, please click/tap the link.If you have any questions related to Burlington’s MTSA plan, please email city@burlington.ca or call 905-335-7777.

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UPCOMING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DATES FOR 2024 BUDGETQUESTION:“What are the key dates for the upcoming 2024 Budget and how and when can I provide my feedback to the City?”ANSWER:Work has started on the City of Burlington’s 2024 budget and your feedback and input is needed.As part of this annual work, residents and business owners are asked to share their feedback on what City services matter most to them. This feedback is then presented to City Council to help them prioritize projects and services.While our 2024 Budget online survey has closed, residents can still share their thoughts and feedback directly with the Mayor and their Ward Councillor, at any time.More information about the budget and how it is prepared was shared in the 2024 Budget Framework Report that was presented to Committee on June 26, 2023.It is also important to note that as a result of recent legislative changes from the Province through the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, this year’s budget process will work a little differently.These changes were outlined in a staff report to Committee on Sept. 11, 2023, please click/taps these links for the Update to the budget process resulting from the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 staff report and staff presentation.It’s important to note that these legislated changes will not reduce the opportunities for public engagement:

  • Existing opportunities for the public to learn about the budget as well as provide feedback is maintained; and
  • Opportunities for the public to delegate to both Budget Committee as well as Council are maintained.

QUICK FACTS & KEY DATES:Upcoming key meeting and planning dates for the 2024 Budget (F-34-23 Appendix B 2024 budget process_revised) are:

  • Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. — Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability (CSSRA) Committee – Budget Meeting
    • Staff overview report and presentation of Reference Forecast Document for 2024 Budget
    • Meeting agenda available on Oct. 19
    • Includes delegations from the public
    • Release of Mayor’s Proposed 2024 Budget to public
  • Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. — City Council Meeting
    • Presentation of Mayor’s Proposed 2024 Budget to Council
      • 30-day legislated period for Council to review and amend Mayor’s Proposed Budget begins with release of the Council Meeting Agenda and can be shortened via a Council vote
    • Meeting agenda available on Oct. 30
    • Includes delegations from the public
  • Nov. 6 & 7 (9:30 a.m.) — Council Workshops
    • City staff will provide Council members with further details on the additional investments outlined in the 2024 Financial Needs and Multi-Year Forecast.
  • Nov. 7 (7-8:30 p.m.) — Telephone Budget Town Hall
    • Hosted by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward — take questions from residents on the proposed 2024 budget
    • More details on how to participate in the town hall will be released closer to the date at getinvolvedburlington.ca/2024-budget
  • Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. — Proposed Amendments to Mayor’s Proposed Budget Due
    • Motion memorandums (to propose amendments to Mayor’s Proposed Budget) from Council members due to City’s Finance Department by 4:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 21 & 23 at 9:30 a.m. — Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability (CSSRA) Committee – Budget
    • Committee review of staff draft budget and amendments proposed through Motion Memorandum process from Council members
    • Includes delegations from the public
  • Nov. 23 (following CSSRA committee) — Special Council Meeting
    • Council’s review of Mayor’s Proposed Budget
    • Budget deemed approved IF Mayor’s veto power is not exercised
    • Includes delegations from the public
  • Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m. — Special Council Meeting (if needed)
    • Mayor’s 10-day legislated veto period (if Mayor’s veto power exercised)
    • 10-day period can be shortened by a Mayoral Decision
    • Includes delegations from the public
  • Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. — City Council Meeting
    • Council’s 15-day legislated override period (if Mayor’s veto power exercised)
    • 15-day period can be shortened by a Council vote
    • Includes delegations from the public
  • Budget deemed approved — early/mid-December 2023

To stay up-to-date and informed every step of the 2024 budget process, please visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/2024-budget and subscribe for email updates (scroll down to the end of the page and enter your email address).

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