Next Steps: Burlington's UGC & MTSA Designations
I applaud the work of Regional planning staff for bringing forward the Discussion Paper, “Downtown Burlington Urban Growth Centre and Major Transit Station Area”, as part of the Official Plan Review process and to the City of Burlington Planning staff who’s unprecedented and expert work has informed much of its content.
The City has requested that the Region adjust the boundary of the Downtown Burlington UGC to generally align with the lands in proximity to the Burlington GO station. The Supplemental Discussion Paper explains the context for the original identification of the Downtown Burlington UGC and Provincial Policy framework established through the Growth Plan (2006). In order to support the City’s vision for growth and intensification that is transit supportive, and build on the components of the Regional Urban Structure, the Supplemental Discussion Paper highlights a proposed UGC boundary adjustment, which will:
Direct intensification growth to an MTSA along the Provincial Priority Transit Corridor and improve access to transportation options;
Leverage efficient use of existing public investments that are served by higher order frequent rapid transit;
Align with the Region’s proposed hierarchy for strategic growth areas by focusing growth and investments to an MTSA located on a Priority Transit Corridor; and
Achieve a complete community consistent with the guiding principles for UGC established in the Growth Plan, 2019.
I would like to address the inaccuracy that Burlington is adverse to growth. In fact, what this discussion paper considers is how to support growth in alignment with a renewed growth direction. It further reinforces that the City is on course to not only achieve, but exceed, its growth target of 200 people and jobs per hectare by 2031 for the designated downtown area. It even further demonstrates Burlington’s experience in attaining the original intent and purpose of the Urban Growth Concepts (UGC) and Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA) designations currently in place.
When the City’s hands slipped from the reigns of planning development, as evidenced by development applications with intensities significantly higher than those anticipated in the current Official Plan, the city responded with laser focus to bring an updated community vision and guiding principles. This was done through the Interim Control Bylaw and the Re-examined official plan policies for the downtown.
This work was underpinned by a number of studies that are referenced in this report and sets the stage to bring about growth that aligns with redefined planning frameworks. It also focuses on bringing enhanced transit where population and employment intensification will be directed.
Through continued and intensive community engagement, this Discussion Paper will further support this Council’s commitment to moving towards environmentally sustainable communities. This includes incorporating approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through transit-oriented complete communities.
I appreciate support by Council to release the Supplemental Discussion Papers focusing on Burlington’s Urban Growth Centre and Major Transit Station Area for public review. This will help the public understand how and assure Burlington residents, through the Region’s Official Plan Review and Municipal Comprehensive Review that Council will manage its growth intentions by a review of growth centre boundary adjustments in a strategic, engaging and focused manner.
Read the reports:
At a Glance Q&A
Does launching the Discussion Paper through this report commit Regional Council to decision making around moving the UGC or defining growth allocations for the City at this point in the process?
No decision is being made at this time. Through endorsing Report No. LPS89-20, Regional Council has authorized staff to release the Discussion Paper on Downtown Burlington Urban Growth Centre and Major Transit Station Area as a basis for public consultation. The Discussion Paper is intended to solicit input on issues and implications of changes to the Urban Growth Centre and removal of the MTSA designation. Input is welcomed and encouraged and will be an important part of staff’s assessment of this change.
Has there been work completed to identify potential growth capacity around the Burlington GO Station? At what point in the process will this be brought forward?
As a part of the Integrated Growth Management Strategy component of the Regional Official Plan Review, work is underway to determine potential growth capacity around the Burlington GO Station. This work will build on initial findings of studies prepared by City Planning staff. It will be important to understand the demands on infrastructure and community facilities and services, and the related financial impact as the Region contemplates different growth options to accommodate population and employment growth to 2051. Some initial findings will be provided in a future report to Regional Council on growth options and is tentatively scheduled to be released in January 2021. Public input will be sought on this report as part of the Regional Official Plan Review following its release.