Latest news with #MillcroftAgainstBadDevelopment
Hamilton Spectator
05-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
‘The city is aware': Tree removals at Burlington golf club approved for redevelopment being investigated
Tree clearing on sections of Millcroft Golf Club, apparently in preparation for upcoming construction of 90 new homes, is the subject of two ongoing investigations. The City of Burlington's forestry department is investigating, and was on site Thursday, May 1. Environment and Climate Change Canada is also investigating for contraventions of the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Representatives of the Millcroft Greens development did not respond by deadline to requests for comment. 'The city is aware of the cutting down of trees on those portions of the Millcroft Golf Course that have been approved for redevelopment by the Ontario Land Tribunal,' city staff said in a statement issued Friday afternoon. 'The city is investigating this activity and as such, no further comment can be provided at this time.' City staff did not answer questions by deadline Monday around whether any necessary conditions had been met, and required permits issued, for tree clearing. A spokesperson reissued the statement released Friday afternoon. 'There isn't any more that we can say on this matter at this time,' they said. Environment and Climate Change Canada spokesperson Samuel Lafontaine confirmed enforcement officers from the federal department collected information during an inspection in the area of 2155 Country Club Dr. in Burlington. 'This information is currently being reviewed to determine whether there has been any noncompliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Migratory Birds Regulations,' Lafontaine said. He noted the Act does not protect trees themselves, but 'prohibits the disturbance or destruction of migratory birds, their nests, and eggs.' Lafontaine said the department will continue to follow the situation closely. 'If evidence of an alleged violation is found, enforcement officers will take appropriate action in accordance with the compliance and enforcement policy for wildlife legislation,' he said. Following investigations, enforcement officers can take no action, issue a warning, issue a ticket, or 'recommend prosecution when evidence indicates that the nature of a violation is serious.' Spokesperson Hannah Boonstra said, under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Migratory Birds Regulations, migratory birds are protected at all times and their nests are protected when they contain a live bird or a viable egg. Sonia Robinson of Millcroft Against Bad Development said at least 400 trees, all over 40 years old, were removed — including several on the seventh hole fairway behind her house. The front nine holes at Millcroft Golf Club are closed, and not expected to reopen before 2027. Robinson said trees were also removed on holes 1, 6 and 16. 'We are at a deficit of green space in Burlington and need this green space for future generations,' Robinson stated in an email on behalf of the organization. 'The majority of the golf course is flood plain and acts as storm water control.' Millcroft Against Bad Development held a rally opposing the planned development on April 26, after preparation of the site for future development started. Burlington city council passed a resolution last summer asking Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack 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 city's resolution states the golf course weaves among houses and functions 'as a natural storm water conveyance on a floodplain.' The minister's office did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Details and updates on the Millcroft Greens development can be found on the city's project webpage .
Hamilton Spectator
24-04-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
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 .
