Latest Updates
Find the latest updates from the Mayor and City Hall.
Seeking your input on summer bar season
We want a vibrant downtown, rich with activities and amenities, but vibrant neighbourhoods must also be livable. The goal is to strike a balance. Residents expect and even welcome a certain amount of noise and activity downtown. Do we have the right balance? Let me know what you think.
Downtown development update - Medica One on hold
The approvals have lapsed for the Medica One complex on Caroline & John, featuring an 8-storey medical centre, 8-storey parking garage and 17 storey apartment. The developer, Carriage Gate Group, did not proceed with signing some necessary agreements required by the city so the approvals for the development have lapsed.
Master Plan for Burlington Beach under review
Should residents living in the Burlington Beach community of Beachway Park on Lakeshore Road be allowed to stay?
OMB hearing on height limits on Brant St and Old Lakeshore Road
My Take: I'm supportive of the height limits on Brant and Old Lakeshore Road, and remain concerned about the use of Section 37 to trade up. We need to cast a vision for downtown Burlington and the waterfront, and stick to it.
Multiple initiatives underway to ensure vibrant downtown
A healthy city requires a healthy downtown. A key focus for me for the balance of this council term of office will be ensuring a vibrant downtown, and moving beyond talk to ensure recommendations become actions.
City reviews economic development options for parking lots
In January, staff are holding a workshop for city council to explore development options for Lots 4 & 5 in downtown Burlington. Lot 4 is on Elizabeth/John St, facing Village Square. Lot 5 is on Brant Street, facing the Queen's Head pub.
My Take: I'm pleased we are revisiting the potential for these lots. Lot 4 in particular has potential for office and underground parking development, which would bring much needed jobs, and foot traffic to the downtown, during the day, year round. This would help our local businesses and bring economic benefits to all residents of our city.
Residents say "no thanks" to community "benefits"
In exchange for approving the Molinaro building at Brock/Elgin at double the height and density allowed in the Official Plan, $500,000 in "community benefits" were negotiated. These talks took place behind closed doors in discussions with the developer and city staff with no community input, nor was I invited to attend on your behalf.
My Take: I'm concerned about the use of community benefits to negotiate extra height and density, and that's why I'm bringing a motion to reexamine this practise as part of our Official Plan review in 2012. Burlington is one of only four municipalities in Ontario that use community benefits, and it's fraught with complications. I believe the Official Plan should be respected with only minor variations allowed. Our plan is reviewed every five years - ample opportunity to make more significant changes that may be needed.
Staff direction to study night clubs in condos
Residents of the Baxter condo on Elizabeth St have contacted me about noise and other nuisances from the Honey West night club in the first floor of their building.
Downtown Burlington is the only area in the city where nightclubs are allowed to co-exist with residences, and our bylaws don't differentiate between night clubs with loud music, bands and dancing till the wee hours, and restaurants that close at 11.