Oct. 21, 2024 — City of Burlington
On Oct. 18, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) notified the City of Burlington of their interim decision to uphold Burlington City Council’s decision to reject the development applications for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. The OLT will issue a final order that will include the reasons for their decision. The City remains committed to responsible growth for the Burlington community.
City Council’s decision
In 2022, Burlington City Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation in staff report PL-24-22 and refuse the applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment submitted by Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. The applications proposed a mixed-use development at the site of the current Waterfront Hotel.
City staff evaluated the applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 2020 Lakeshore Rd. under all applicable policies, regulations, and guidelines. They considered all comments received from technical reviewers and the public.
It was determined the proposed development was not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, did not conform with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, did not conform with Halton Region’s Official Plan, and did not conform to the policies of the City of Burlington Official Plan (1997 as amended). The proposed development also did not conform to the City’s new Official Plan (2020). These factors led City staff to recommend refusal of the subject applications.
Background
2020 Lakeshore Rd. is located next to two of Burlington’s most significant landmarks, Spencer Smith Park, and the Brant Street Pier. In reviewing the development applications for this property, the City considered feedback from the public alongside technical comments from partner agencies 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.
Burlington is a city where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
Joint Statement
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Ward 2 City Councillor Lisa Kearns
“This decision by the OLT to uphold the City’s refusal of proposed towers on our waterfront is an exceptional and significant win for the City and the community.
The OLT has ruled on the Waterfront Hotel appeals, rejecting the appeals and upholding the City’s refusal of the applications.
Our planning staff and consultants provided thorough rationale for why these applications should be rejected. The applications did not represent the feedback we heard from the community over many years related to this landmark site.
The many other deficiencies with these applications were detailed in staff’s report, which determined that they constituted overdevelopment. We support development at the right scale in the right place in keeping with council and the community’s vision for our city. These applications failed to meet those criteria.
We are thankful for the efforts of Citizens Plan B (Waterfront Redevelopment), who focused on the issues and helped represent the community voice.
As Burlington grows, this significant site in our downtown will be protected as our flagship park to welcome residents and visitors to Burlington and our beautiful waterfront.”
