Zoning Bylaw Review Project
9/13/2022
Mayor, Councillors, City Staff and fellow residents
It is an honour to be able to speak this morning as the City embarks on its New Zoning By-law Review Project. The details that implement the policies of the “almost” approved Burlington Official Plan will be as important as the very substantial work and years that were required to finalize the OP. The devil is in the details.
The current news is focussed on the recent passing of the Queen. The sentiments and remembrances centre on her longevity and stability. But I was struck by a quote made by Prince Harry as he spoke about his experience living on Windsor estate. “It is a lonely place up there now without her.”
I can’t help thinking of the importance of these three factors as the City embarks on its by-law project – longevity, stability and the people in our community – liveability. One of the greatest challenges of civilizations is sustainability. We are currently experiencing both a climate crisis and a significant labour shortage as many people have moved to locations that offer less congestion, a more balanced lifestyle and more affordability. This City must address these issues but we must create a City that allows for families to live achievable lives with kids so we can repopulate ourselves. I recently reviewed the investment required for immigrants to come to Canada. Canada requires the lowest investment of the list of five or six nations. We must create an attractive environment for people to live and raise their families or we will continue to suffer the economic effects which may preclude us from attracting the brightest and the best.
My name is Daintry Klein and I am a member of the not-for-profit group Millcroft Greenspace Alliance which advocates for liveable, sustainable communities and responsible development. A balanced approach to any endeavor enhances the opportunity for long term sustainability. As we embrace significant change, I encourage the leaders in this very successful City to approach this project with sustainability and stability in mind. Let’s recognize what we are and build on our success.
The City of Burlington is repeatedly recognized as an enviable City to live in based primarily on its greenspace. It’s success to date has been centered in a characterization as a “bedroom community” within the GTA, with superior recreational facilities for the residents and an alternative to the congestion of the “Big City”. This has been our City’s economic niche and has been the motivation for most of the residents I know in their decision to move here. I am struggling with the “Vision to Focus Alignment” outlined as it relates to the Zoning By-law. Perhaps there can be some clarification on the long-term economic success of the City and the sustainability of this as it relates to zoning?
A substantial emphasis of this By-law effort must be on the City’s Climate Initiatives based on the declared climate emergency, the Climate Resilient Burlington Plan passed in July of this year, the Climate Action Plan, the Urban Forest Management Plan, Tree Protection By-law, Stormwater Management Plans and the Idling By-law. Can we please include the Climate and Forestry teams in the Technical Advisory Team. As and aside, perhaps we could rename the Roads, Parks and Forestry department Forestry, Parks and Roads to make it not only alphabetical but also highlight the climate importance?
As the City is required to intensify, the Zoning By-law is critically important to ensure that the Official Plan is carried out strategically with all of the above initiatives firmly in mind. It is encouraging to see the comment in the report “..streamline the development review and approvals process, reduce the number of Zoning By-law Amendment and Minor Variance applications submitted to the City, and advance the City toward its housing and growth targets and encourage healthy and sustainable growth within the City of Burlington over the life of the new Official Plan.”
With respect to zoning, we urge the City to carefully consider the importance of greenspace through setbacks, lot coverage, boulevards and open parks and greenspace to accommodate tree coverage. The warming environment is affecting our livability. Tree planting is important to address the current deficient tree coverage in this City and there must be adequate greenspace to accommodate trees that can grow large enough to provide not only shade for cooling but GHG mitigation. The City must also protect it’s currently zoned Major Parks and Open Space to protect the existing large parkland tree canopy. The City must take a public position on the preservation of the Millcroft Golf Course property.
Let us learn from the City of Toronto’s challenges for parkland. The image of Bell Trinity Square with red circles painted everywhere highlights the shortage of greenspace and parkland exacerbated by the substantial highrise development. The numerous residents of these buildings do not have access to back yards that houses offer or in most cases even a greenspace for the entire building. How do the children who live in these buildings get outside to run around and get some “fresh” air after school when the schedule is tightly packed to do homework get dinner, and prepare the for the next day if the greenspace is not easily accessible.
Recent heat waves have highlighted the importance of trees for cooling as air conditioners couldn’t keep up with the significant temperatures that we are now experiencing. The heat, wind and dry conditions are threatening the survival of our existing tree coverage and we must protect more of our trees as we make choices about development. At a recent meeting for a development on Plains Road, I noticed that the building would require a reduced setback such that the neighbour’s trees would be killed as a result of root destruction from excavation. If the setback were respected, the greenspace could allow for a recreational play structure for the families or a seating spot for the residents under the neighbour’s trees?
GHG mitigation should be considered in zoning. Should height of ceilings be regulated to restrict the additional heating and cooling requirements and GHGs associated with them.
Space for snow storage and snow management on our streets should be considered so that we are not trucking snow around the City or to locations elsewhere. Setbacks, lot coverage and boulevard space allow not only for absorption of stormwater but also snow storage. Parking spaces are also a common snow storage spot and therefore the reduction or required parking should be reconsidered with the climate factor in mind. We will need spaces for parking and snow storage.
Substantive shopping and services should be located in cluster mixed use high rise development projects to reduce the need for driving to purchase necessaries such as grocery, pharmacy and dry goods and child care.
New climate realities should be considered in zoning decisions. The increase in atmospheric rivers which cause devastating flooding such as the 2014 occurrence here in Burlington should require some consideration for underground structures and their impact on drainage. Should water table be considered when the depth of basements and underground structures are approved? Window wells within the set back requirements to allow for proper drainage between houses and will 2% grading really handle the increased storm management requirements. Climate change to date has resulted in approximately 10% of houses flooding. While sump pumps are an option, the energy requirements to run them are adding to the GHGs we generate. A recent article suggested the unpredictable effects of weather cannot be managed by grey infrastructure alone.
Affordable housing is a significant topic currently. On the sustainability theme, this City must not only consider the cost of new home purchase prices but also property taxes. Both of these factors play into mortgage qualification calculations in addition to condo fees. The balance between developer profits and purchasing power of homeowners must be brought into line. Decisions such as parkland fees in lieu of dedication and items such as “free trees” and their effect on property taxes must be addressed. Our City’s property taxes will factor into purchasing decisions and the ongoing practice of raising property taxes at a rate higher than inflation may price us “out of the market.”
I am out of time but I want to acknowledge the critically important task ahead for the City employees who will spearhead this project over the next several years. As the required intensification unfolds, the importance of your work as it relates to adaptation will be felt by the population of the City and surrounding area for generations to come. Buildings and roads do not change for decades and we trust that your daily routines, which include work , will embrace the importance of getting the details right. Our efficiency as a society both economically and from a liveability perspective, our ability to sustain the impacts of the weather and breathe the air are in your hands.
