The City of Burlington says it will fight certain aspects of a housing development planned for Millcroft Golf Club.
In a resolution approved by Council, the City has officially opposed the Millcroft Greens subdivision and will challenge appeals made by the developers to the Ontario Land Tribunal over Burlington’s stance.
Although the City is not opposed to all aspects of the development, it believes parts will unnecessarily eliminate greenspace and encroach on a floodplain.
The development calls for the building of about 100 homes along the golf course and reduce the size of the playing area of the golf course.
Many residents who live near the golf course also are opposed to the housing plans over concerns that it may eliminate wildlife in the area along with how it will affect flood management. Some are also concerned about the potential for increased traffic and the elimination of a nature area in the heart of the city.
In a statement released on her website, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said the City supports growth, but that it has to be done in the right places and on the right scale. She said councillors do not support converting greenspace to housing whether the lands are publicly or privately owned or in the greenbelt.
“Development on greenspace in a floodplain is not the right place for development — and it’s not needed, given we have adequate urban land identified in our Official Plan to accommodate Burlington’s share of growth identified by the province,” she said.
The part of the plan the city doesn’t oppose is a parcel of land on Dundas St. that currently houses a parking lot and shed for the golf course.
In her statement, the mayor also expressed concern for the type of housing the development calls for which may lack affordable homes for first-time buyers.
“The application calls for single-family units that will very likely be in the millions of dollars given the location,” she said.
Burlington will also look to the Ontario government on the matter with the expectation that it will assist in stopping the development.
