By Rebecca Gruszka, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There are many development projects in the works in Burlington, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. The City of Burlington website lists current projects organized by ward alongside information on their development status. Recently, there have been updates on proposed development projects at 3399 Appleby Line and 720, 735, 740 Oval Ct. and 5135 and 5155 Fairview St.

3399 Appleby Line development proposal by MHBC Planning
On November 15, the zoning change that was requested for 3399 Appleby Line in Ward 6 was approved. The application document on the City of Burlington website states that planning firm MHBC Planning had applied to change the zoning by-laws at 3399 Appleby Line to business corridor zoning, which would allow a variety of industrial, transportation, and service trade-type buildings. This space was previously zoned as an open space with no existing buildings. It is located north of Dundas St. and south of Highway 407 on Appleby Line.

The application was submitted in October 2022 and there have been additional documents uploaded for citizens to view and track the progress. It includes site plans and drafts and their revisions, comments, and responses from different departments like fire and finance, external agencies like Rogers, and archaeological and arborist reports and their revisions.

The MHBC proposed by-law change would allow a one-storey industrial warehouse building to be built with accessory offices and vehicular access to Appleby Line. The plans state the building would have a total gross floor area of almost 18,000 m2, with about 369 m2 set aside for accessory office space. The plan also includes 199 parking spaces along the west and north property lines, facing Appleby Line and the 407.

720, 735, 740 Oval Ct. and 5135 and 5155 Fairview St. development proposal by the Branthaven Development Corp.
In January 2021, a pre-application meeting was held with community members to go over the proposal for 720, 735, 740 Oval Ct. and 5135 and 5155 Fairview St. in Ward 5. The supporting documents online propose a mixed-use development of high-density residential, office, community, and commercial space. Eight towers have been proposed between 11 to 30 stories, with almost 2000 residential units and about 12,500 m² of retail, office, daycare, and library use. The application was first submitted in May 2021. The land is currently being used for existing office and industrial buildings that include manufacturing facilities, packaging facilities, and warehouses.

The proposal was under review by the city, but because the city had not issued a decision by the 120-day deadline, an appeal was submitted to the Ontario Land Tribunal in May 2022. There were efforts made to resolve the dispute before a hearing with the OLT and in October, a decision was made between the city and Branthaven to settle the non-decision appeal. Part of the settlement included changes to the proposal including the addition of a pedestrian promenade between Sherwood Forest Park and the development; there will be some design flexibility with the towers while limiting their height and location near Sherwood Forest Park; and there will be guidelines for urban design set up. Community members in the area of the proposed development shared worries about the scale, impact on property values, whether the buildings would be family-friendly, and how it might impact the current features of the community.

Steven White, who lives in the area, asked how, if the units are mostly one-bedroom, could the development be family-friendly. Ruth Victor, a rep from Branthaven Development Corp. responded that they are looking at adding more family and senior units and believe the unit ratios will change over time.

David Gyulai lives across the street from the proposed development. He worried about how a construction zone will impact the resale value of priorities in the area. Victor reassured that considering growth projections and neighbourhood modelling, the property value will increase over time as the community changes.

Community members Jean and Michael are worried about the height of the buildings and their shadows. Victor states that they are following a recommendation from the city and that studies have shown there is no shadow impact south of Fairview.

Community members worried about overcrowding the current amenities were told that this development would enhance the community, will improve their experience of living there over time, and will encourage more walking in the community.  

Carla Marshall, communications advisor on this project, shared that a settlement offer was supported by council and was approved by the OLT on November 24.

Sources:

City of Burlington. February 11, 2021. Pre-Application Community Meeting. Url: https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/current-development-projects/branthaven-development-corp-720-735-740-oval-ct-5135-and-5155-fairview-st.aspx#Pre-Application-Community-Meeting (accessed on Nov 16, 2023).

City of Burlington. Pre-Application Community Meeting Notice. Url: https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/resources/Current-Development-Projects/Ward-5/Branthaven-Dev-Corp—Oval-Ct—Fairview-St/Previous-Public-Meetings/Oval-Court—Pre-Application-Community-Meeting-Notice—FINAL.pdf (accessed on Nov 16, 2023).

City of Burlington. October 2023. Current Development Projects. Url: https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/resources/Current-Development-Projects/Ward-5/Branthaven-Dev-Corp—Oval-Ct—Fairview-St/OLT-Documents/OLT-Appeal-Update.pdf (accessed on Nov 16, 2023).

City of Burlington. n.d.  Summit Industrial Income Operating LP – 3399 Appleby Line Url:https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/current-development-projects/summit-industrial-income-operating-lp-3399-appleby-line.aspx (accessed on Nov 16, 2023).

City of Burlington. n.d. OLT Decision. Url: https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/resources/Current-Development-Projects/Ward-5/Branthaven-Dev-Corp—Oval-Ct—Fairview-St/OLT-Documents/OLT-22-003893-NOV-24-2023-ORD.pdf (accessed December 7, 2023).