3 Reasons why the OMB approved the condo tower in Burlington's downtown. The sky is the limit

https://youtu.be/2xIeWnfwRu4 In February, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) approved a massive, 26 storey condo at the corner of Martha Street and Lakeshore Road.There are 3 reasons why the OMB ruled in favour of the developer.

Three Reasons

1. All parties (the developer, the city, and other landowners) said more than the existing 4 to 8 storeys could be allowed. The city said 11 storeys would be appropriate; another party said 16. Because they presented "no...evidence" for why these heights were better than the proposed 26 storeys, the OMB's vice-chair went with 26 storeys. [Clauses 107,111,114,115]
2. The developer successfully argued the city is not on track to meet growth targets.  The Board refused to allow new evidence on the urban growth centre, yet concluded the "city may not quite meet the minimum required target for intensification." [Clause 104] Weeks after the hearing, council received a staff memo confirming growth targets are on track for 2031.
3. Because the downtown is an urban growth centre and mobility hub, 26 storeys is "preferable" to meet provincial intensification policies. [Clauses 59,63,68,115]. The Board noted there are no maximum heights for intensification [Clause 54].

What the PPS 2014 does not do is set a maximum target for intensification.  Implementation of the PPS 2014 logically requires that each application is to be considered on its own merits. The fact that an application may involve an official plan amendment does not mean that the proposed development is inconsistent with thePPS2014. [Clause 54}

Three Things We Can Do

This ruling - if allowed to stand - has devastating consequences, not just for Burlington, but for other Ontario cities. There are three things we can do.

1. Remove the downtown urban growth centre and mobility hub designations.  Otherwise, more applications representing over-intensification will keep coming.
2. Remove the height increases in the new official plan.  With the OMB ruling there are no maximums - increased heights only become the new minimums.  The proposed downtown plan does not give us any control.
3. Defend our existing Official Plan and growth targets as meeting provincial policies.

We need to take action; we need to take charge of our city's future.