Zoning as Major Parks/Open Space should be Permanent
Since the original approval of the golf course based community in 1986, the City of Burlington’s Official Plan (OP) has consistently zoned this green infrastructure as Major Parks/Open Space. This zoning was most recently confirmed in the 2020 Official Plan approved by the City and its approval authority the Region of Halton.
Within the Burlington OP, the area being proposed for development by Millcroft Greens is neither a primary nor a secondary growth area. It is considered an “Established neighbourhood” (see Schedule B of the Burlington Official Plan). Further Millcroft Greens is proposing development on areas zoned as “open space” with key natural features (Appleby Creek) which form part of the natural heritage system. As an established neighbourhood, Millcroft is not considered essential to achieving the Region’s growth targets.
Given the embedded creeks in the fairways of the Golf Course, perhaps it was an oversight that the Golf Course lands were not designated as Natural Heritage?
“Any municipality that cannot defend its official plan’s rules for land use doesn’t really have an official plan, and its neighbourhoods are wide open to whatever developers want… That’s why council and I are so committed to defending our town and its policies.” - Oakville Mayor, Rob Burton
Millcroft Greens Corporation initiated a development application in February of 2020 on the existing Millcroft Golf Course property. In addition to 90 single family dwellings across four parcels of land and a six storey mid-rise apartment building on the fifth parcel, Millcroft Greens has indicated that they intend to develop additional land on the golf course. This is evident through their appeal of the 2020 City of Burlington Official Plan. The appeal of the Official Plan contests the restrictions of rezoning Major Parks and Open Space prior to the next Official Plan Review.