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The City of Burlington is not pursuing a by-law related to ticketing drivers giving money to panhandlers on Burlington streets. On September 10, 2019, a staff report on panhandling went to the Planning & Development Committee for discussion. There is no City staff direction related to targeting and ticketing drivers donating money to panhandlers. There was an amended motion put forward at that meeting that was not approved by Burlington City Council; that motion was to report back to the Planning and Development Committee by the end of 2019 on the possibility of a by-law that would target drivers donating money to panhandlers at City intersections.

The actions that were approved by Burlington City Council include:

• The City of Burlington will continue to work with the Halton Poverty Roundtable (which is part of United Way) as part of their broader communication to residents about poverty.
• Update the City’s website to provide information on how residents can assist those in need, including donating money.
• The City will share ways to help via social media and the City Talk newsletter.
• The City will prepare communication material for ward-specific newsletters with information for residents about this issue.
• The City will continue to work with the Halton Regional Police to monitor panhandling on the streets of Burlington.

Burlington City Council shared their concerns on the well-being of all who need help in Burlington, and was clear through its deliberations that the end goal is to get the most support to those who need it, and that donating to active local charitable organizations is important to ensuring the best results from the community.

What is an Interim Control Bylaw?

For more information

The Provincial Government is asking Burlington residents to share their thoughts on Regional Governance.

Share your thoughts by taking a survey:

Take the survey

The survey closes APRIL 23, 2019.


Council voted unanimously on Monday (Feb. 25) to tell the province that it wouldn’t support a proposal to amalgamate local municipalities into a “City of Halton.”

At a Special meeting of Council, on March 5, 2019, Burlington City Council voted in favour of a staff report recommending an interim control bylaw (ICBL). The ICBL temporarily restricts the development of lands within a study area for a period of one year, with a maximum extension of a second year.

The lands in the study area include the Downtown Urban Growth Centre (UGC) and lands in proximity to the Burlington GO Station.

During the one-year “freeze” on development in the study area, the City will complete a land-use study to:

• Assess the role and function of the downtown bus terminal and the Burlington GO station on Fairview Street as Major Transit Station Areas
• Examine the planning structure, land use mix and intensity for the lands identified in the study area
• Update the Official Plan and Zoning bylaw regulations as needed for the lands identified in the study area.

Background
The recommendation to implement an ICBL was brought forward by City staff in response to two primary concerns:

1. Growth pressures that continue to emerge for the lands in the study area City staff are aware of multiple pending developments in the application review stage where the proposed intensities are significantly higher than those anticipated by the Official Plan. In addition, there are many other expressions of development interest and land assemblies taking place in the downtown Urban Growth Centre and in proximity to the Burlington GO station where the intensities being considered are substantially larger than what is proposed in the current Official Plan or the 2018 adopted Official Plan which is currently under review.

2. The role and function of the John Street Bus Terminal as a Major Transit Station Area (MTSA)The John Street Bus Terminal is identified as a MTSA in the Province’s 2017 Growth Plan. Its designation as a MTSA was relied upon by the Ontario Municipal Board in its decision to allow a 26-storey development at 374 Martha St, citing that as a MTSA, the terminal could support intensities well in excess of those contained in the Official Plan. The terminal’s capacity to absorb the transit impacts of significant growth plays a critical role in shaping the mix of land uses and transit development within the downtown UGC.

Quick Facts

• An interim control bylaw (ICBL) is a tool available to Ontario municipalities as part of the Planning Act. An ICBL places a temporary “freeze” on the development of certain lands while a municipality is studying or reviewing its land use policies. The restrictions can only be imposed for one year, with a maximum extension of a second year. An ICBL may not be appealed when it is first passed, however the extension of the ICBL to a second year may be appealed.
• Work to begin the land-use study will be initiated immediately by Department of City Building.
• Developments in the study area exempt from the ICBL are those that have submitted applications for site plan approval, in accordance with the approved zoning bylaw, prior to March 5, 2019, the date which the ICBL was approved. Exemptions in the study area include:

• 490-492 Brock Ave.
• 374 Martha St.
• 421 Brant St.
• 442 Pearl St.

Read PB-36-19 approved by Burlington City Council

Learn more about interimcontrol bylaws

UPDATED MARCH 5, 2019 - Committee of the Whole Workshop will be held on Monday March 18 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Council and staff will discuss the scope of work for further study related to the Official Plan.

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Burlington City Council voted in favour of a motion to begin the process of re-examining the policies in Burlington’s Official Plan, adopted in April 2018 and currently with Halton Region for approval. The motion, brought forward by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, was approved during a Special Meeting of Council yesterday.

The motion directs Burlington’s Director of City Building to immediately commence a process to re-examine the policies of the Official Plan adopted April 26, 2018 in their entirety related to the issues of height and density and conformity with provincial intensification targets.

A copy of the approved motion is available online.

Summary of additional directions in the approved motion:

• Send a letter to Halton Region acknowledging receipt of the Region’s Notice of Statement of Opinion of Non-Conformity with the Regional Official Plan dated Dec. 4, 2018. The letter should include requests for clarification on the elements of non-conformity identified in the notice and sufficient time to address the identified issues.
• Refrain from giving the adopted Official Plan any weight in evaluating development applications that may be processed while the Official Plan policies are being re-examined.
• Report back to the Planning and Development Committee meeting in March 2019 to provide a progress update on the work plan to re-examine the Official Plan, including key milestone dates, public engagement plan, budget and resource requirements.
• Discontinue the use of the “Grow Bold” brand.

Burlington is one of Canada’s best and most livable cities, a place where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/enews and download the free City of Burlington app.

Quote

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“I am thankful to all of City Council for voting to see this through. Re-examination of the policies of the Adopted 2018 Official Plan is another step toward fulfilling a more community-based vision for our city. This action will also provide residents and staff with more clarity going forward. We expect our city’s Official Plan to truly reflect the needs, input and best interests of the entire community and its elected council. This re-examination will give the new council the time necessary to define what areas we want to study, undertake that work, consult with the community and work with Halton Region to approve a comprehensive plan we can all feel good about.”

Quick Facts

• An Official Plan is a statutory document required by the province of Ontario that describes a city's land-use strategy to 2031, and beyond. It addresses the location and form of new housing, industry, offices and shops as well as anticipated needs for infrastructure. Streets, parks, transit, schools, community amenities, and other elements of a growing city are all considered in the Official Plan.

Links and Resources

• For more information about the previously adopted Official Plan, now under review, visit Burlington.ca/newop

Statement from Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

NEW as of Feb 25 - Council voted unanimously on Monday (Feb. 25) to tell the province that it wouldn’t support a proposal to amalgamate local municipalities into a “City of Halton.”

On Jan 15, 2019 afternoon, 16 mayors from the GTHA region met at Toronto City Hall at the invitation of Toronto Mayor John Tory for a closed-door meeting to discuss shared issues that cross our municipal boundaries such as transit, affordable housing, and climate change. We know that no one municipality can fully address these issues alone, and with a federal election coming up, there is an opportunity for us all to speak with a united voice on behalf of our communities.

We agreed that we need to send a message to both the federal and provincial governments that money has to follow the downloading of additional services resulting from legislative changes that are outside of our control. Cannabis legislation is just one example as municipalities, whether they opt in or out of allowing retail cannabis stores, will incur costs, and the funding announced so far is insufficient.

We further discussed issues ranging from the Places to Grow Act, greenbelt development, affordable housing, and transit.

We have committed to meet again as GTHA mayors and continue to collaborate on the issues that matter to our constituents. In two weeks, a number of us will also be meeting as part of the Large Urban Mayor’s Caucus of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and we will discuss these matters at that table as well.

During our meeting, the provincial government announced they have undertaken a process to review the effectiveness and efficiency of regional governments across the province, creating some concerns and speculation about the possibility of future amalgamations. The purpose of the review is to look for opportunities to better serve the communities involved and evaluate the areas of governance, decision-making and service delivery. We all welcome a conversation on how to make government more efficient and effective, but agree that any changes must be done in consultation with area municipalities.

Burlington is already an efficient council, the smallest of Halton Region at seven members, and the smallest of any Ontario municipality of our size. The Region is also already efficient and effective: we enjoy being the safest region in Canada, a Triple A credit rating, high satisfaction on our services, and tax increases at or below the rate of inflation (with a number of years of no increases).

My fellow GTHA mayors and I agree that we would like to work with the province and our constituents on any changes. Instead of a hatchet, we’d like more of a handshake approach from the province. Additional information about the review can be found here.

The address covered the priorities council and Mayor are already hard at work on, and how the voices of the community have shaped our focus and deliverables. The mayor announced the launch of an exciting new initiative that’s already generating a lot of interest: The Mayor’s Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force. This initiative will bring together our business community to identify the challenges they face to growth here in Burlington so we can find feasible solutions with real impact.

To read the full transcript.

City of Burlington submits comments regarding Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018

The City of Burlington is preparing comments in response to the legislation tabled on Dec. 6, 2018, by the Provincial Government, referred to as Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018. If passed, the legislation would allow municipalities to, with the Minister’s consent, pass “Open for Business’” zoning bylaws. These bylaws would not be bound by existing legislation, such as the Clean Water Act, 2006 or the Greenbelt Act, 2005.

For a city such as Burlington, where half our land is rural and located within the Greenbelt, the tools proposed in this legislation are of great concern and do not address the barriers the City is facing regarding economic development.

Burlington is already “open for business” with over 400 acres of employment land sitting vacant and available.

Since, the legislation was tabled, staff at Halton Region and the City of Burlington have been reviewing it to better understand the implications of what is being proposed.

Burlington is one of Canada’s best and most livable cities, a place where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/enews and download the free City of Burlington app.

Quote

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“Residents have overwhelmingly expressed support to protect our Greenbelt and public safety in the Clean Water Act. We will do that. We have sent a clear message to the province; I have written to Steve Clark, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Halton Regional Council already unanimously approved a resolution confirming that we won’t compromise public safety or our Greenbelt to be open for business. We have a large supply of suitable land available and are ready to work with businesses."

Quick Facts

• The City of Burlington has prepared comments for submission to the Province regarding Bill 66. These comments are posted online as part of the Jan. 18, 2019 Burlington City Council Information Package.

• The resolution approved at Halton Regional Council is available online in the Regional Council meeting minutes from Jan. 16, 2019.

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Memo sent to Burlington City Council by City staff on Jan 17, 2019:

On Dec. 6, 2018, the Provincial government introduced Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018. This omnibus bill is meant to “eliminate red tape and burdensome regulations so businesses, can grow, create and protect good jobs.” The proposed legislation includes 32 actions across 12 ministries. Of particular interest, is the proposed new Open-for-Business planning tool and the new regulations under the Planning Act related to the tool.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing invited comments on the proposed legislation via the Environmental Registry under three separate consultations.

• ERO 013-4125 – Proposed open-for-business planning tool
• ERO 013-4239 – New regulation under the Planning Act for open-for-business planning tool
• ERO 013-4293 – Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018.

Comments for all three consultations are required by Jan. 20, 2019.

City of Burlington staff reviewed the proposed legislation and will be submitting the following comments to the Province.

Proposed open-for-business planning tool (ERO Posting 013-4125)

City of Burlington staff does not support the creation of an open-for-business planning tool as proposed, for the following reasons:

1. The tool undermines the city’s goals to achieve coordinated and sustainable planning, as delivered through the application of the Provincial Policy Statement, Growth Plan, and Greenbelt Plan. Allowing major employment uses in areas not intended for such uses will fragment Agricultural Systems and Natural Heritage Systems and could lead to a creep of land use pressures to introduce residential, ancillary and other supportive uses to support the major employment use;

1. The tool undermines provincial investments in infrastructure, such as the transit projects identified in the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan. The tool could also undermine Regional investments in infrastructure. Major employment uses should be directed to locate within existing urban areas that are supported by transit and other infrastructure investments, such as near Major Transit Station Areas. Locating major employment uses within the Greenbelt Plan

area, and other areas not intended for or compatible with such uses will result in the inefficient use of existing infrastructure and contribute further to traffic congestion;

1. Businesses want certainty and clarity regarding land use permissions. The tool introduces uncertainty in the planning framework that could increase land speculation and contribute to affordability challenges;

1. The tool contradicts the climate change goals articulated in the Province’s draft Environmental Plan, by potentially increasing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with sprawl, and the potential for long term increased costs in environmental remediation and the impacts to water resources and drinking water; and

1. The open for business planning tool will create a competition amongst municipalities that rewards those that will accept the weakest planning, environmental and health and safety regulations. The province should ensure that all municipalities are raising the bar to achieve quality and sustainable developments, to ensure health and safety and to reduce long term cost impacts that would result to address environmental issues and to maintain unsustainable investments in infrastructure.

1. Eliminating the requirement for notification and consultation with the community, other agencies or municipalities may speed up the approval process, but will not necessarily result in good decisions or faster completion of a development. Residents want and ought to be involved in planning decisions that will impact the communities they live in. Local planning decisions that will impact the service delivery of others cannot be made in isolation. Not including Halton Region in Burlington planning decisions where new regional services are required will not result in jobs coming to Burlington faster, in fact, bypassing the Region could result in delays and additional costs.
2. Allowing major trip generators (such as employment developments), to by-pass council approved transportation policies and directions will mean that municipalities will be responsible for meeting conditions that developers would usually be responsible for. For example, if a developer asks for relief in the amount of parking which they are required to provide, and this relief is granted through this proposed policy, only to realize once the project is constructed and operating that there are insufficient parking spaces. The overflow parking becomes an issue the municipality must address.

Instead of an Open for Business Bylaw, please consider the following tools:

a. Tools to incent the creation of innovation districts located near Major Transit Station Areas and other areas that are serviced by transit. Innovation Districts are a type of business and or industrial district to attract and promote clusters of private and public-sector firms and organizations engaged in the development of new products, materials, services and knowledge. An Innovation District at its core must be driven by existing assets and an economic development strategy. A Provincial program to support and build upon existing businesses and organizations within a municipality would be a more prudent approach to using existing specialization and resources. Such a program could include support for creation of economic development strategies for local Innovation Districts;

b. The tools proposed in the open-for-business planning tool do not address our barriers to economic development. An example of a barrier to the development and redevelopment of employment lands is the timely and coordinated issuance of MTO permits. Approximately 80% of the City’s employment lands are within the MTO development permit area. Addressing this barrier would assist in the timely development of serviced and transit oriented employment lands; and

c. The province should consider the use of the MZO tool as an alternative. This tool already exists at a provincial scale. The Planning Act could be amended to expressly identify the attraction of a major employment and economic growth opportunity as a matter of provincial interest. Consideration of these types of uses should be done at a provincial scale to ensure coordinated planning and use of infrastructure.

The following items require more clarity to understand how the tool will be implemented:

a. What is the evidence/data that demonstrates that these sections of the Planning Act are the barriers to locating major employment uses?

b. Please define major employment and economic growth opportunities.

c. What are the prescribed criteria referenced in Section 34.1(2) of the Planning Act?

d. How does the use of this tool apply to Upper Tier vs. Lower Tier municipalities? Are there criteria for determining what is of Regional interest or local interest?

New Regulation under the Planning Act for open-for-business planning tool (ERO Posting 013-4239)

1. Please see ERO Posting 013-4125 above for additional feedback from the City Burlington.
2. In order to provide all feedback a copy of the regulation should be provided.
3. The regulation notes that evidence is required to demonstrate the minimum job creation threshold. This presents implementation challenges. What evidence is acceptable? How do you ensure the proposed jobs are delivered and remain in place for a significant amount of time? Are there penalties if the proposed jobs do not materialize? Will there be any recognition of the differences or importance of either basic or non-basic industries?
4. The regulation indicates that residential, commercial or retail cannot be the primary use. This language could actually introduce mixed uses, particularly residential which appears to be in conflict with the main objective of the open-for-business tool.
5. Any proposed regulation should be specific to not permit recreation or institution uses.