Burlington mayor, councillor say residents want more lakeside parkland
Published April 13, 2022 at 11:06 am
Following yesterday’s rejection of a massive, two-tower development beside Spencer Smith Park, Burlington’s mayor and the local councillor issued a joint statement explaining their stand.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Ward 2 councillor Lisa Kerns said the city planning staff has provided a very thorough rationale for why this application should be rejected.
They said the application is not reflective of the feedback they have heard from the community related to this landmark site.
“We have heard loud and clear residents want to see more parkland on this site next to our jewel of a waterfront park.”
They said the many other deficiencies with this application were summed up well in the report: The subject application(s) are not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement as they propose development at an intensity that exceeds what is considered to be an appropriate level for its local context within the land use patterns of the Regional Official Plan and Official Plan.
The proposal that was turned down was for 2020 Lakeshore Rd., the “Waterfront Hotel Land” on the east side of Spencer Smith Park. Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. is proposing a mixed-use development at the site of the current Waterfront Hotel that would see two 30-plus storey towers and a five-storey podium between them, blocking the southern view from Lakeshore Rd.
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City staff came to the conclusion the proposed development is not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, does not conform with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, does not conform with Halton Region’s Official Plan and does not conform to the policies of the City of Burlington Official Plan (1997 as amended). The proposed development also does not conform to the City’s new Official Plan (2020).
Located next to two of Burlington’s most significant landmarks, Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, the City asked for input to make sure the new development would reflect a high quality of urban design that would enhance the community’s access to the waterfront and the downtown.
Public meetings were held in February on both the planning study and the development application for residents and stakeholders to talk about the study process and hear from City staff and the consultant team.
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