City of Burlington says no to two massive towers downtown

The City has said no.

During a special meeting of council on April 12, the City opted to refuse the applications that would have allowed a mixed use two-tower development at the site currently occupied by the Waterfront Hotel. The application proposes to demolish the existing six-storey hotel and develop two mixed-use buildings of 35 storeys and 30 storeys with five-storey podiums.

The City argued the proposal is not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, and does not conform to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Halton Region's Official Plan or the policies of the City of Burlington Official Plan.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Ward 2 councillor Lisa Kerns released a joint statement on the refusal

"Our planning staff have provided a very thorough rationale for why this application should be rejected. The application is not reflective of the feedback we have heard from the community over many years related to this landmark site. We have heard loud and clear residents want to see more parkland on this site next to our jewel of a waterfront park," read the statement.

The site is widely regarded as one of the most important in the city as it's positioned beside Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier.

Public meetings were held in February on both the planning study and the development application

For more information, on the project vsit www.burlington.ca/2020lakeshore