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September Special Welcome to a special edition of the newsletter which includes election information, videos on our local businesses, as well as the
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September Special
Welcome to a special edition of the newsletter which includes election information, videos on our local businesses, as well as the news you've come to expect - and of course My Take. Spread the word! Feel free to send this to friends or neighbours or post on your personal or community website.If you've got community events, stories or other ideas for the newsletter email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net |
VIDEO: Why I'm running, my roots in California, and what it means to put Residents First
We live in a great city and must take care to keep what is great as we grow and change. We must protect what residents value and what makes you want to live here in the first place. We do that when City Hall works with residents, listens to your input and puts the needs of residents first. Learn more in the video below or click here. Prefer the one-minute version, check it out here. |
VIDEO: Downtown is thriving, and great opportunities lay ahead
Great things are happening in Burlington's downtown thanks to the efforts of a team of people working together. Village Square is thriving with more businesses and events. New businesses are choosing to locate downtown. We've got an opportunity to attract office uses. Find out more about my vision for the downtown, and meet some of our new downtown businesses in the video below or click here. |
VIDEO: Great pizza comes to Village Square
I love pizza. But for truly great pizza, my first choice is Son of Peach - a recent arrival to our downtown and Village Square. Meet Kim and Bart who describe how they came to Burlington, their most popular pizzas and the meaning behind their name. Click video to right or here. |
VIDEO: Local butcher/market coming to downtown
Ellen McWhinnie is about to open the Brant Street Butcher, offering fresh, local food: meat, fruits, vegetables, dairy and more. Ellen believes in supporting local - the local economy farmers and producers. She saw a gap in the downtown. More than a place to buy things, Ellen's market is essential for the local community - a place to bring the community together and support our local farming industry. Click video to right or here |
VIDEO: Learn more about the Hive - and why the owner chose downtown Burlington
Shaun Pennell has a big vision for startups and entrepreneurs in Burlington's downtown. Why did he choose downtown Burlington? Because of "the energy" with access to the waterfront, restaurants, bars and public transit. He's successfully attracting entrepreneurs from beyond Burlington, bring new feet on the street in our downtown. Click video to right or here |
You're invited! All candidates debate Oct. 1
The Burlington Lions Club is hosting an all candidates debate Wed. Oct. 1, 7pm at the Lions Club at Pearl and James (471 Pearl St). Candidates for Regional Chair, Mayor, and Ward 2 Councillor will be on hand to talk about their platform, why they are running, and answer written questions from the floor, chosen by the moderator. Candidates for school board trustee will be on hand with information tables, but will not participate in the debate.
Hope to see you there! |
Voting Information
You can vote in Burlington if you are 18 years or older, a Canadian citizen, and live here, or own/lease property in Burlington but live elsewhere.
Internet Voting - Oct. 2-19
You must register before you can vote online. Register with the code on your Voter Information Notice and you’ll be sent an online voting code. Internet voting registration is Sept. 29 to midnight Oct. 17. Internet votes can be cast between Oct. 2 and midnight Oct. 19.
Not on the voter list?
You should get your notice to vote in mid-September. You can check if you’re on the voter list at any public library, City Hall, or online at www.burlington.ca. You can download forms to be added to the voter list up to Oct. 22 and mail/drop them off at City Hall or call me to arrange delivery/pickup (905.335.1899). You can also be added at the polling station when you go to vote, if you bring one piece of identification showing your name and qualifying address. |
 Rendering of proposed 28-storey condo at Martha/Lakeshore. |
28-storey building proposed for Martha/Lakeshore
Public meeting Oct. 9, 7pm, Art Gallery of Burlington
ADI Development Group has submitted an application for a 28-storey apartment at Martha & Lakeshore, with 226 units, 5 levels of underground parking, 3 levels of above ground parking, and ground floor retail facing Lakeshore.
The site - currently a parking lot - is zoned for 4 storeys, with provision to go to 8 storeys if "community benefits" under Section 37 are provided to help mitigate the impacts of the extra height.
The proposal would require an Official Plan Amendment, as well as a Zoning By-Law change.
A public meeting hosted by city planning staff to provide information on the proposal is planned for Oct. 9, 7pm, Art Gallery of Burlington. The developer will attend to explain their proposal.
No planning decisions have been made by city staff on this project. Staff are required to process any application made; hosting the public meeting should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the project but simply an effort to inform the community of the application and provide residents an opportunity to ask questions and share comments.
Further information and background studies about this proposal can be found on the City’s web site at www.burlington.ca/374Martha
You are invited to submit written comments about this proposal to:
Rosa Bustamante, Development Planner
e-mail: rosa.bustamante@burlington.ca
phone: 905-335-7600 ext. 7811
Written comments should be submitted by: October 24, 2014
Planning process
The application will be reviewed by staff and a number of city departments and external agencies; staff will prepare an information report for the city's Development & Infrastructure Committee and City Council. The public can attend and share your views. Based on feedback at these meetings and any additional analysis, staff will prepare a report recommending either: 1-approval; 2-approval with modifications; or 3-refusal. The report will go first to the D&I Committee, then City Council, who makes the final decision. Residents can attend and speak at all of these meetings.
This process typically takes at least six months. However, the developer can appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board if a decision is not rendered within 180 days.
On another project in Burlington, this developer waited out the clock and took their project directly to the OMB, and that may well be what happens in this case.
If it goes to the OMB, staff will still prepare a report and council will still have an opportunity to review and vote on the project. The staff report, and council's vote, would be sent to the OMB to inform the board's ultimate decision.
My Take:
This is complete overdevelopment of the site, and little more than an intensity grab. A building of this scale would overwhelm the neighbourhood, which primarily consists of 3-storey towns. Our existing Official Plan and Zoning already account and provide for downtown urban intensification requirements under the province's Places to Grow plan. We can intensify the site by following the existing OP and Zoning - which have been approved by three levels of government, including the city, Region and province. Until we as a council take our own Official Plan and Zoning seriously, developers won't, and we will continue to see proposals for out-of-scale developments.
Your Take:
What are your thoughts on this development? Leave a comment online here or email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net |
Public meeting on 4-unit development at 2267 Lakeshore Sept. 29
Statutory Public Meeting, Sept. 29, 6:30, City Hall
City staff have prepared an information report regarding an application to rezone 2267 Lakeshore Road to permit the development of four single family homes. The site currently has a one single family home.
The current zoning, R3.2, permits single detached dwelling, with an accessory dwelling unit.
The proposal has been modified from the original plan for five homes. The four home proposal includes increased side and backyard setbacks and greenspace; and visitor parking/asphalt has been eliminated. The driveway has been relocated to preserve a large city tree.
The report will be discussed by the Development & Infrastructure Committee, Sept. 29. Part of that committee meeting will include a statutory public meeting on this development. Residents can attend to speak - you do not need to register in advance. |
 Developer's site layout with 4 homes |
The staff report and agenda for the meeting are available online: staff report; agenda
More information about the development, including a planning justification report and various technical studies, is available here
My Take: The four-unit development is an improvement over the 5-unit original proposal, given the increase in greenspace and preservation of the city tree. However, the site is still very crowded, leaving little room for internal tree plantings or landscaping. There are also concerns about the impact of a rezoning in this area. Each rezoning changes the character of the neighbourhood, and future developers will look to this development to justify more of the same. Over time, the character of Lakeshore can be dramatically altered. Our existing Official Plan and Zoning already take into account our requirements under provincial Places to Grow for intensification, and lay out where intensification is appropriate, or not. Council's responsibility when planning growth and intensification is to protect neighbourhood character. A further reduction in units so that a rezoning is not required would help to preserve neighbourhood character, provide more opportunity for tree plantings and respect our own planning documents.
Your Take: What are your views of this modified proposal? Let me know by leaving a comment here or via email at mariannemeedward@bell.net |
Burlington Flood Relief
Toronto man donates $10k to flood relief; challenges others to give
Bruce Etherington, a Toronto resident, is donating $10,000 personally to Burlington flood relief. Bruce has no ties to Burlington except that he knows Ron Foxcroft, chair of the Burlington Flood Relief Committee. Bruce grew up in Hamilton and he says it was during his youth there that he learned to “love thy neighbour.”
Bruce is also a huge supporter of Community Foundations and applauds the Burlington Community Foundation for stepping up to lead flood relief efforts. Bruce is personally urging all Community Foundations in Canada to donate to Burlington Flood Relief efforts. Thanks to Bruce for his compassion and support!!
25% of goal raised; can you give?
Our community has raised $493k to date, about 25% of our goal, for families devastated by the Burlington Flood Aug. 4. A flood relief committee, set up by the Burlington Community Foundation, is hoping to raise $2m in 100-days - by Nov. 4. 100% of the money will go to the families most in need, who either had inadequate insurance to cover the damage they experienced, or who were uninsured (many cut off by their insurance company).
Learn more about the devastation to our friends and neighbours - and how you can help - here. Thanks to the Burlington Post, Hamilton Spectator, Cogeco and many other media outlets for telling these stories and keeping the need front and centre.
You can make a donation at BCF's website here
Got questions about where the money will go? How to file a claim? Visit here
Please play your part by giving generously. |
Host your own flood fundraising event
The Burlington community is playing a key role in raising funds to support those most affected by the August 4th flood. You can get involved by organizing your own fundraising event to help address the urgent financial needs of flood victims. From bake sales to birthday parties and barbeques there are many ways to help support our neighbours.
Burlington Community Foundation can provide the following support:
▪ BCF Flood Relief T-shirts, coin boxes and posters
▪ Promotion of your event through our social media channels
▪ Advice and expertise on event planning
▪ A BCF Flood Relief graphic to use on your materials
Helpful Links:
10 Steps to a Successful Fundraising Event
How to Set up a Fundraising Event
For more information, please contact:
floodrelief@burlingtonfoundation.org
905-639-0744 x226
Share your success with us! Send us an email or a tweet regarding your event.
#BCFFloodrelief |
Ask the Councillor:
Resident D.G writes: I heard back up beepers from construction site trucks at 5:40 in the morning. What are the rules around times and days of construction?
Answer: The City of Burlington’s Noise and Nuisance By-law 49-2008, prohibits the operation of any construction equipment in connection with construction from 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. and all day Sunday and Statutory Holidays. The definition of construction equipment is as follows:
"Construction Equipment” means any equipment or device designed and intended for use in construction, or material handling, including but not limited to, air compressors, pile drivers, pneumatic or hydraulic tools, bulldozers, tractors, excavators, trenchers, cranes, derricks, loaders, scrapers, pavers, generators, off-highway haulers or trucks, ditchers, compactors and rollers, pumps, concrete mixers, graders, or other material handling equipment.
If you hear construction taking place on site in contravention to the Noise and Nuisance By-law, you may contact our Bylaw Enforcement Officer John Prins directly at 905-971-1886.
Resident C.K. asks: In your recent newsletter you remind motorists to share the road with cyclists. Could you please ask ALL the cyclists to obey the rules of the road? In 3 separate instances at Caroline and Hager, cyclists went soaring through the stop sign going westbound on Caroline as I was going South on Hager. It's amazing that I don't hit anyone.
Answer: Thanks for this reminder - and if you are a cyclist, please remember that when you travel on city streets you are governed by the same traffic rules as vehicles. The rules of the road apply to everyone. |
Community Events
Culture Days Sept 26-28
Time: Kickoff, Fri. Sept. 26, 7:30pm
Location: Civic Square, Downtown Burlington
Details: Join the excitement at Civic Square as we kick off the Culture Days weekend with a video by Burlington’s cultural community about culture in the city. The video screening and proclamation of Culture Days will be followed by live music, contemporary dance, and film screenings by Burlington artists. Learn about all the activities over Culture Days online here
Downtown Community Lunch, 1, 3, 5th Wed. of each month, Sept 2014-June2015
Time: 12-1pm, doors open 11;30
Location: St. Luke's Church, 1382 Ontario St.
Details: Visit with others, make new friends? and enjoy a free lunch! |
Centro Farmer's Market (Sundays to end of October)
Time: Sundays, 9am-12pm
Location: Rear parking lot of 437 Brant Street
Details: Centro Garden hosts a community Farmer's Market every Sunday from 9 am - noon through the end of October! Phone: 289-337-5755
Email: market@centrogarden.com
Website: www.centrogarden.com/farmers-market/
Experience a Revolution (Oct.21)
Time: Tues. Oct. 21, 7pm
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: $25 here
Details: Hosted by BurlingtonGreen Environmental Association, features filmmaker and on-screen star Rob Stewart. This special event will be a night of eco-inspiration including a screening of Stewart’s highly acclaimed film, Revolution, followed by a rare opportunity to interact with the award-winning filmmaker during his keynote address and an audience question and answer period.
Included at the event BurlingtonGreen will also present our 2014 Eco-Awards, and we invite citizens, groups, and businesses to submit nominations highlighting their efforts to help the planet locally to receive an Eco-Award before September 25th, 2014.
For more information, please contact Jackie Prime at jacqueline@burlingtongreen.org
Friends of Freeman Station Sept. 27)
September 27, 10 – 4: We will once again be part of Doors Open Burlington. Location TBD. doburlington.com/
More Events
To add your event to the list, email details to me mariannemeedward@bell.net.
Resources:
The Region of Halton has produced Halton Region Cycling Map to promote cycling and cycling tourism in Halton. The map is available in hardcopy, can be downloaded at Halton.ca and can be accessed by several cycling apps. |
Contact
Marianne Meed Ward
City/Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Burlington
mariannemeedward@bell.net
905-335-1899
Facebook
Twitter
Website: ward2news.ca
To subscribe to the newsletter, email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net or signup here.
In Your Neighbourhood is a free community newsletter covering issues and events in Ward 2 and city-wide, and seeking your input in decision-making. You’re getting this because you signed up, a friend forwarded it, or as an introductory copy. Feel free to pass it on! Unsubscribe link below. Spread the word! Feel free to send this to friends or neighbours or post on your personal or community website.If you've got community events, stories or other ideas for the newsletter email me at mariannemeedward@bell.net |
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