Saturday rally opposes imminent Burlington golf course redevelopment
Opponents of development on parts of Millcroft Golf Club are holding a rally Saturday, as the developer prepares for future construction.
Millcroft Against Bad Development announced a 'call to action' taking place at Millcroft Mill on the corner of Country Club Drive and Upper Middle Road from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 26.
'We are gathering in a friendly, neighbourly way,' organizers stated in a press release. 'This is not a protest.'
The group invited Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack to attend the event, and take action on the City of Burlington's July 2024 Ministerial Zoning Order request.
Burlington
city council passed a resolution last summer
asking the minister to issue an order maintaining open space zoning in the planned Millcroft Greens development, after a June 12 Ontario Land Tribunal decision approving official plan and zoning amendments for the development.
The OLT decision allowed official plan and zoning amendments permitting proposed redevelopment of open space on five parts of the golf course for 90 single-detached homes and a 130-unit building.
'The parks and open space currently operating as the Millcroft Golf Course is unique among golf courses in that it is in an urban area, designed as a figure eight weaving among houses, functioning as natural storm water conveyance on a floodplain, and we know of no other golf course with these set of conditions,' the city's resolution states.
Neither the premier's office nor the minister's office responded to requests for comment by deadline.
An
update posted on the City of Burlington website
states site preparations are underway but final approvals are still pending.
'Residents may have observed activity on-site, as the developer has begun early-stage work including the installation of fencing, tree hoarding, and other preliminary measures,' the update posted April 11 states. 'It is important to note that while these activities are underway, the developer does not yet have the required approvals to begin major construction, including tree removals and site grading. Prior to any such work, the City's Urban Forest and Landscape Architecture team will inspect all fencing and hoarding installations to ensure compliance.'
The city update states the developer will only be permitted to proceed with full construction when conditions set by the OLT have been met.
It wasn't clear at deadline what conditions had been fulfilled and what conditions still remain to be met, or when construction might begin.
The property owner and developer of Millcroft Greens did not respond to requests for comment by deadline, but
its website states
Millcroft Golf Course is operating just nine of its 18 holes this season.
'Site works have commenced for home construction,' the website states. 'The subject development parcels on the southern half of the course are private property and have been fenced off in preparation for site work and construction. Trespassing is not permitted for the safety of the community and security of the site.'
The website states Millcroft Greens is working to fulfil conditions for development but 'some construction works may start before all the conditions are met. This may include tree removal, creek works, site grading, installation of services, etc.'
The
golf club's website
confirms only the back nine, holes 10 to 18, are in use.
'The front nine will be closed entirely for the time being with hopes to reopen by 2027,' the website states.
Millcroft Against Bad Development's press release notes: 'Fences are up; surveillance is installed. Trees could be coming down soon. The developer is setting the stage to get started on building as soon as they complete the conditions of the OLT decision from June 2024. He is already crossing the finish line, hoping we have given up. We have not given up.'
For more information on the organization and its rally this weekend, visit
the Millcroft Against Bad Development website
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Doug Ford's Bill 5 is now law in Ontario. Here's what happens next
Now that Ontario's controversial Bill 5 is law, all eyes are on what Premier Doug Ford does with the new powers it gives his government. Bill 5, also called the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, empowers the government (among other things) to create special economic zones, where cabinet can exempt companies or projects from having to comply with any provincial law, provincial regulation or municipal bylaw. Ford pitches Bill 5 as a way of shoring up Ontario's economy in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs by speeding up major infrastructure and resource projects. Ford's officials insist the government won't exempt any company in a special economic zone from Ontario's minimum wage rules or other labour laws. But the wide-open way the legislation is written would allow cabinet to hand out exemptions from any law, whether labour, environmental or operational. Asked this week which laws he's considering overriding with Bill 5 — and whether any laws are off the table for such exemptions — Ford offered no specifics. WATCH | Your quick guide to Bill 5: "I just want to speed up the process," he said during a news conference on Thursday, moments after Bill 5 received Royal Assent, making it law. Ford then talked of how long it takes for a mine to get into production, an issue that is actually tackled in a different part of Bill 5: revisions to the Mining Act designed to shorten Ontario's approval process to two years from the current four years. Pressed again on which laws he would exempt companies from in the special economic zones, Ford said every situation is different. Ford wants to move 'as quickly as possible' "Let's see what companies come to the table, and depending on how quickly we can get opportunities and jobs, we'll reveal them," Ford said. Ford wants Ontario's first special economic zone to be the Ring of Fire mineral deposit, some 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, in the heart of Treaty 9 territory. The area is said to be full of so-called critical minerals, such as cobalt, lithium and nickel, in high demand for the tech industry. The premier said on Thursday that he wants to make the Ring of Fire a special economic zone "as quickly as possible" but has also said he won't do so without consulting with First Nations Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says the province is already "consulting meaningfully" with First Nations and will continue to do so over the coming months. "We're all going to be part of this endeavour to really listen to those voices and help build a common vision for responsible resource development that unlocks the bounty of the resource, to change the lives of northerners and to ensure Indigenous share in that bounty," Lecce said alongside Ford at Thursday's news conference inside Queen's Park. The skepticism from many First Nations leaders is palpable. The Chiefs of Ontario invited Ford to attend their annual assembly June 17 to 19 and sent Ford a message that his attendance would mark the start of consultations on Bill 5. "This legislation, introduced without prior consultation with First Nations rights holders, raises serious concerns due to its far-reaching implications on inherent Treaty rights and community obligations to the land, waters, and wildlife," says the invitation letter from Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. The Chiefs of Ontario, the umbrella group representing more than 130 First Nations across the province, are warning of "resistance, on the ground, and in the courts" against Bill 5. WATCH | What the 'duty to consult' First Nations means for governments: One thing to watch for in the months to come is whether the provincial government's push to fast-track the Ring of Fire is replicated by the federal government. Ford put the Ring of Fire at the top of his list presented to Prime Minister Mark Carney for consideration as a potential nation-building project. Ford calls Carney 'Santa Claus' Carney asked all the premiers to come to last Monday's First Ministers Meeting in Saskatoon with their ideas of projects that would be "in the national interest," either by helping to diversify the Canadian economy or to reach new export markets. It's now up to Carney to decide which projects merit federal backing, whether through fast-track approvals or funding. Ford described Carney as Santa Claus for this approach. But to make the metaphor accurate, it means Ford and his fellow premiers have merely written their letters to Santa Claus, and they now have to wait until Christmas comes to find out whether Santa brings them what they asked for. The other items on Ford's list are also projects that could be designated special economic zones: new nuclear power plants, a new deep-sea port on James Bay, Ford's vision of a tunnel under Highway 401 through Toronto, and an expansion of the GO Transit network. If Carney endorses any of these, you can expect the Ford government will use its Bill 5 powers to speed up the process of moving that project from endorsement to reality. On Friday, Carney's Liberals tabled a bill in the House of Commons called the One Canadian Economy Act, designed in part to speed up the approval process of major infrastructure projects, a goal similar to Ontario's Bill 5. One line in the text of Bill 5 says its purpose is making Ontario "the best place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business." Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli, whose chief role is attracting companies to the province, says investors around the world are hoarding capital in hopes of some economic certainty. Will Bill 5 attract investment? "That capital that's building up needs to unleash, and we want them to know that when they come to Ontario, it can be unleashed very quickly here," Fedeli said at the news conference alongside Ford and Lecce. Having Bill 5 powers on the books means Ontario could try to entice investors to set up shop in a special economic zone, but officials won't say whether that incentive is now being dangled at any particular companies. More questions remain on how exactly the government will use other powers it obtained through Bill 5, such as the power to ignore the independent scientific committee that determines whether a species is endangered or threatened in Ontario. You can expect a backlash from conservation groups whenever the government uses that power, for instance by scrapping measures that would protect the habitat of a species at risk. What's unknown is when, where and with what species the government will take such a step. Another 'watch this space' related to Bill 5: what happens with the expansion of a landfill on the edge of the southwestern Ontario town of Dresden, which the legislation exempts from having to go through a comprehensive environmental assessment. Local residents say they're not giving up their efforts to halt the project, while the company behind is welcoming the opportunity of "moving forward with our plan."
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Doug Ford calls out municipalities as housing money goes unspent
Ontario is having trouble giving money away for housing, but challenging times are making it hard to get. As Premier Doug Ford presented Toronto with a $67.2 million cheque to help build new homes amid a shortage that has pushed prices higher, his housing minister lamented more municipalities aren't meeting the housing targets entitling them to cash. 'We're going to hand out some nice 'building faster fund' cheques, not as many and for as much this year as we did last year,' Rob Flack said Friday at city hall with Mayor Olivia Chow. Toronto broke ground on 21,000 new homes last year, 88 per cent of its target. 'That's why we have the big cheque,' said Chow, who noted 'building is slowing' because of high interest rates, and higher costs that mean 'builders just can't afford to build.' The $1.2 billion housing fund was established in 2023 to provide financial incentives for municipalities over three years to build homes. It's intended to pay for infrastructure like water lines, sewers, roads and sidewalks. Money is paid as a reward to municipalities reaching 80 per cent of the target set out by the province. Ford promised in 2022 to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031 but the province is at half the pace needed to reach that number in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenging business conditions that followed. While an average of 150,000 new homes a year is needed over the decade, the Progressive Conservative government's spring budget projected housing starts will fall this year to 71,800 — down from 74,600 in 2024. To spur construction, Ford's PCs passed Bill 17, the Protect Ontario By Building Faster and Smarter Act, which streamlines the approval process and fees for homebuilders, allows municipalities to reduce development charges on developers and delays payment until new homes are occupied instead of when a building permit is issued. As well, the legislation given royal assent this week extends the power to grant minister's zoning orders that override municipal bylaws, raising concerns among critics about preferential treatment for some builders. Ford repeated his calls for the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates and said economic uncertainty caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs isn't helping the housing business. 'People are nervous if they're going to have a job or not.' Ford also pointed the finger at mayors of some municipalities he did not name, but who he said 'absolutely refuse to build.' 'We are going to work with the ones that want to build,' the premier added. 'They're going to get the money. The other ones aren't.' The premier reiterated that he would like to axe the provincial portion of the 13 per cent HST on new homes and has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to scrap the federal portion. 'We just have to get everyone on the same page,' Ford said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Toronto gets $67.2M housing cheque as Ontario housing numbers falter
The Ontario government has awarded Toronto $67.2 million in funding after the city came close to hitting its housing starts target last year — but provincial officials say they'll be handing out fewer such cheques in 2025 as not as many cities are hitting their goals. "You have certain mayors in certain towns and cities that absolutely refuse to build. They aren't building a doghouse," Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference at Toronto City Hall Friday, flanked by Mayor Olivia Chow. "They aren't building a garage, and we all know it. "And then you have great cities, and great mayors like Mayor Chow here that's saying, 'We're going to build, we're going to build as quickly as possible because we need the housing.'" This is the second round of funding from the province's Building Faster Fund, which provides funding to municipalities that hit at least 80 per cent of their provincially designated housing targets. Announced in 2023, it promised to provide $1.2 billion over a three-year period to municipalities that achieve annual targets for new home construction starts. Toronto broke ground on 20,999 new homes last year, the province said in a news release, which works out to be 88 per cent of its 2024 housing target. Though Toronto appears to be on the right track, it's now increasingly unlikely that Ford's government will achieve its stated target of 1.5 million new homes by 2031. The latest Ontario budget forecasts 71,800 housing starts in 2025, followed by 74,800 next year and 82,500 in 2027. WATCH | Fewer homes expected to be built in Ontario this year: There have been 260,000 actual housing starts in the three years since the target was set. So if you add in the projections for 2025 and 2026, the province would only be about one-quarter of the way toward its goal at the end of next year, which is the halfway point of the target timeline. The province distributed only $280 million from the fund in its first year after more than half of Ontario's municipalities failed to hit the housing start targets in 2023. The government hasn't updated its housing start tracker since October 2024. As of that point, nine months through the year, only 11 of 50 municipalities had reached their annual benchmark. When asked by CBC News at Friday's news conference why the provincial government is no longer showing the numbers for what each municipality is building, Housing Minister Rob Flack said that he would "have to get back to you." "Housing starts are down. We know that," Flack said. "There's a crisis, a major crisis in this country. We're going to hand out some nice Building Faster Fund cheques — not as many and not for as much this year as we did last year." Flack went on to say that's why the government introduced Bill 17, which is intended to accelerate permit issuance and streamline zoning rules. It also defers the collection of development charges until occupancy, which the province says will provide greater cash flow flexibility. "We know the numbers are down, but if we don't make the changes like we did in Bill 17, we're never going to hit our targets," Flack said. Speaking at the news conference, Chow said that the provincial funding will help build homes in the city faster. "At the end of the day we have a housing crisis, we need to build, whether through deferring development charges, exempting development charges, building the missing middle," she said. "We need to build, build, build a lot of housing, especially affordable housing."
