Urban Growth Centre Boundary Adjustment - Read the Media Release
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing announces Burlington can adjust UGC Boundary
Burlington, Ont.—June 15, 2021 — Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark joined Burlington MPP Jane McKenna and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward this morning to announce that Burlington will be able to adjust the boundary of its existing provincial Urban Growth Centre (UGC) designation.
The adjustment of the boundary of the UGC, once centered on our downtown core, will put the focus of the designation on the Burlington GO Station, allowing the City to direct future height and density near mass transit and help build more complete communities.
This decision supports the work already incorporated into Burlington’s revised new Official Plan (OP), already approved by Halton Region. Burlington’s new OP includes stronger protections for green space, heritage, jobs, the rural community, established low-density neighbourhoods and a special focus on preserving the character of the downtown.
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Quotes
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark
“Our government has been clear that transit-oriented communities are our priority. I am proud to support Jane McKenna, MPP Burlington, and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward by re-designating the Urban Growth Centre away from the downtown and closer to the Burlington GO station which will ensure that the downtown area is preserved. This will also ensure that people will live closer to transit so that they can spend less time commuting, and more time with their families.”
Burlington MPP Jane McKenna
“Burlington’s Urban Growth Centre and Major Transit Station Area designation have been in place for over a decade. This re-designation will put homes near transit which aligns with the policies laid out in the provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It will also help preserve the many incredible features that makes downtown Burlington unique. Today’s announcement has been years in the making and is the result of a tremendous collaborative effort by the Mayor and Council, local and provincial planning experts, senior members of the Ontario government and most importantly, the residents of our great city.”
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
“I am absolutely thrilled by today’s announcement. This great outcome for our city is grounded in extensive study, analysis, planning rationale and feedback, and from day one, there was unanimous support from all members of our city council for this change. Executive Director of Community Planning, Heather MacDonald, has provided clear and consistent professional planning advice to council to fully complete the necessary and substantive planning policy work to support the recommended UGC boundary adjustment.
We did not do this alone. This has been a truly collaborative process with our community, including residents, developers, partner agencies, your City Council, City and Regional leaders and staff, our Regional Chair and fellow Halton Mayors. This outcome today is also the result of a great deal of hard work and advocacy from our local MPP Jane McKenna, and everyone at the Ministry of Municipal Housing and Affairs, led by Minister Clark.
Burlington continues to be open for growth and development in the right places and at the right scale. Our city will evolve and grow in ways that honour everything that makes Burlington such a special place to live, work and play.”
Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility, Heather MacDonald
“This is great news for the work staff is doing as it aligns nicely with our revised new Official Plan (OP) and Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA) project. Our team is also working closely with Halton Region on their Official Plan Review, currently underway.
This boundary adjustment for Burlington will help to implement planning policies that focus on maintaining our established communities and neigbourhoods while directing growth and intensification where appropriate and transit supportive.”
