Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has issued an interim decision affirming Burlington City Council’s rejection of a proposed development at 2020 Lakeshore Rd., site of the current Waterfront Hotel.
The decision, announced on Oct. 18, follows a unanimous vote by the City Council in 2022 to deny applications for an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment from Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc.
The application proposes to demolish the existing six-storey hotel and develop two mixed-use tall buildings of 35 storeys (west tower) and 30 storeys (east tower) with five-storey podiums including two connected at the fifth floor.
Also, the plan includes 4,445 square metres of commercial space, 4,348 square metres of office space, 557 residential apartment units, and a hotel with 122 guest suites.
City staff evaluated the applications, concluding they did not align with several key planning documents, including the provincial policy statement and the city’s new Official Plan (2020). The proposal was deemed inconsistent with regional and local growth strategies, prompting staff to recommend rejection.
Because the site is adjacent to Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, the city wants to prioritize urban design that enhances community access to the waterfront and downtown areas.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward called the OLT decision “an exceptional and significant win” for the community.”
In a joint statement, they emphasized the extensive public feedback and the importance of developing in a way that aligns with the community’s vision for Burlington. “These applications failed to meet those criteria,” they stated, highlighting concerns over potential overdevelopment.
The OLT is expected to issue a final order detailing the reasons for its decision in the coming weeks.
Community advocacy group Citizens Plan B (Waterfront Redevelopment) has been instrumental in voicing local concerns, reinforcing the importance of maintaining the waterfront area for public use and enjoyment.