Budget for 2015 includes a Shoreacres character study for $60,000. Is there value for money here?

burlbudgetBy Pepper Parr

January 4, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON.

They are called Character Area studies; exercises where planners and residents meet to talk about what kind of a community they want.

In the past few years Burlington has done two of these: one in the Roseland community where the exercise is still underway and a second at Indian Point where the exercise was wrapped up.

Shoreacres map

A part of the city that is rich in history Shoreacres may get a serious look at what it is and what it wants to be as part of the Official Plan Review.

There is a Business Case in the 2015 budget for a third Character study for the Shoreacres community. Priced at $60,000 this study is part of the Official Plan review and came out of a Staff Direction.

This community has deep history – more so than Roseland. Both communities have been hit by what many refer to as predator developers who purchase older buildings on large lots; demolish the building and apply for a variance to divide the lot and put up two houses.

While many in the community regret the sale of what are seen as prime historical properties for every buyer there is a willing seller.

The Paletta Mansion is within the Shoreacres boundaries. Originally deeded to Laura Secord, who never lived on the property, the magnificent house was saved from destruction when purchased by the city. The Paletta family donated a large sum and had the house and park area named after them.

The Indian Point Character Study was wrapped up when the Planners came to the conclusion that the residents were so badly divided on a direction for the community that nothing could be achieved.
Indian Point has a rich history as well with large lots that cluster around the lake and Indian Creek.

These Character studies give residents of a community the opportunity to decide collectively what they want their community to look like and what they would like to see preserved. The people who live at Indian Point couldn’t arrive at any kind of consensus. The rank greed on the part of several participants during the Indian Point meetings was unsettling. It was difficult to see much in the way of community at those meetings.

Shoreacres creek - prefab bridge

A per-fabricated bridge is installed over Shoreacres Creek.

The Roseland character study meetings have been more civilized – close to genteel actually. But it has taken a long time and there isn’t yet a clear sense yet as to where the community wants to go.

What is clear in Roseland is the desire to see fewer demolitions which the majority seem to not want.
However, the ward Councillor has an Ontario Municipal Board hearing coming up in March at which he is appealing a Committee of Adjustment decision to not permit a re-zoning application to sever his Lakeshore Road property.

What Councillor Jack Dennison is doing would appear to be at odds with what the community says it wants – but they re-elected Dennison by a respectable majority.

Burlington is clearly struggling with its character as a city. There is work to be done.

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1 comment to Budget for 2015 includes a Shoreacres character study for $60,000. Is there value for money here?

  • tenni

    Councillor Conflict of Interest
    A conflict of interest is any situation where personal interest interferes, appears to interfere, or could potentially interfere, in any way with the interests of the city of Burlington.
    Guidelines for avoiding Conflicts of Interest
    iAvoid discussions and making decisions where you may derive personal benefits, whether direct or indirect including benefiting yourself, your business, family or close friends. Disclose any potential conflict of interest at the beginning of a discussion and let the group or chair decide before entering a discussion.

    Thanks for the detailed explanation of the changing culture of Burlington. It is interesting that the areas mentioned are nearer the lake than the escarpment where values seem to differ. It would be interesting to study the values of the communities. Class and wealth can not be ignored as the market value of these communities is substantial. Although not all properties are of historical value the bar to declare more of these properties should not be ignored.

    The lack of a Council Conflict of Interest policy needs fixing within the next month or two as a priority. Here is a fairly simple policy to save the tax payers a great deal of money studying conflict of interest. Councillor Dennison is clearly in Conflict of Interest and should refrain from being present during any council or committee meetings dealing with these communities.