City Council: Official Plan Downtown Modifications & Amendments Approved
Burlington City Council has endorsed policy modifications for the Adopted Official Plan at a Special Meeting of Council for October 7, 2020.
It has taken a strong collaborative effort to embark on an unprecedented course correction that this Council has committed to. Council commenced a process to re-examine the policies of the Official Plan in their entirety as they relate to matters of height and intensity and conformity with provincial density targets, the work then focused on the downtown and included modified policies. Here’s a snapshot:
Adopting the policy modifications for consideration for inclusion into the draft decision for the adopted Official Plan softens the built form planned for downtown’s main street and waterfront. I believe we have ushered in policies that serve to protect the unique and heritage feel of Burlington’s heart. We will plan for a diverse mix of land uses appropriate for a Downtown as well as a diverse mix of built form. Not intended as aspirational, the Official Plan is a tactical and bold plan that sets out the expectations of the most precious quality our city holds, and that is your community.
Together, we knew a better plan could be achieved and a complete plan was possible. You have been along side this journey since late 2017, advocating. It was the will and determination of this council, staff, and our constituents momentum that carried forward the supported policies of today. This is the plan that is supported by robust engagement, technical studies, and strong planning rationale. Our Residents know our city has to grow and development that adheres to this plan can help do that.
Here’s a look back at the ongoing call to bring about a better plan. A moderate, sensible, and not over-intensified development plan for Burlington’s downtown:
I acknowledge the correspondence from the development community, and thank all stakeholders for their input into this process. My door has always been open and I have read every word of the supporting studies, all correspondence, and all reports. It is the role of your Councillor to balance a variety of interests while focusing on the best possible outcome. This plan is a win-win as it gives us policies that welcome development in a moderate way that is compatible with the themes that our city values – those include connection to the waterfront, greenspace, preserving and encouraging places to shop and work, maintaining the character of the downtown / Heritage preservation, vision and design.
The amendments that carried at Committee, as brought forward by the Mayor and I for the Downtown Eastside and Established Neighbourhoods of St. Luke’s & Emerald and were required to ensure that a community vision was carried through to policy. I stand by the procedure of Committee to bring amendments in session or beforehand, that is how our democracy allows us to respond to city business and thank Council for their support of these critical amendments.
The voice of the community can be carried into City Hall. Residents are represented by elected officials that have a role in how our city evolves and while this has been a long and exhausting journey, I know for certain that our city is better off in the long term for the work we stand by today. I express gratitude to every resident that has written in, delegated, dropped in to the pop-ups, and taken care to evolve our city.
This table outlines the next steps in the process; I will continue to communicate and engage with our community while working hard to ensure Burlington remains the best place to live, raise a family, retire or run a business. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, to learn more or view planning documents, visit:
