West Burlington Revitalization Strategy
Introduction
West Burlington (Aldershot) is slowly transforming from a “bedroom” community to an “urban village.” A combination of major transportation improvements, new businesses, tourism and urban design initiatives, along with the potential for significant residential and employment development has West Burlington poised for a period of sustained growth and revitalization.
As it is important that this transformation be managed and coordinated, the West Burlington Revitalization Study is being developed by the City of Burlington and the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).
Draft Report Now Available for Comment
A draft of the West Burlington Revitalization Study, (with cover Report DI-13/05) was presented to City Council on August 8, 2006. Copies of the draft study are now available for public and stakeholder review and comment.The document may be viewed online:
In smaller files sizes as:
- West Burlington Study –Report Body
- Appendix A Potential Development Sites
- Appendix B Proposed Infrastructure Projects
- Appendix C Capacity and Fiscal Impact Analysis
Alternatively, printed copies of the draft study may be picked up at the Planning Department counter on the 2nd Floor of City Hall, 426 Brant Street.
If you have comments on the draft study, please provide them to the attention of Rosalind Minaji or by post to: Planning Department, City of Burlington, Box 5013, Burlington, ON, L7R 3Z6. Comments must be received on or before September 29, 2006.
Staff will be considering all input and preparing a final report to Council later this year. Thank you for your interest in the West Burlington Revitalization Study.
Contacts:
Project History
Burlington City Council approved the West Burlington Revitalization Study work program outlined in Report DI-13/05 in August, 2005.Study Work Program:
The following steps were followed in the preparation of the West Burlington Revitalization Study:
- Background Research
- Retention of Philips Engineering to complete the Infrastructure Analysis
- Identification of key development sites and infrastructure projects
- Media releases and launch of West Burlington Revitalization web page
- Preparation for public and stakeholder workshops
- Workshops with key stakeholders - February 2006
- Workshop with public - February 2006
- Preparation of West Burlington Revitalization Draft Study including proposed strategic directions
- Retention of urbanMetrics inc. for Capacity and Fiscal Analysis - June 2006
- Tabling of Draft Study with Community Development Committee & Council -July/August 2006
- Public and Stakeholder Input on Draft Study (Summer/Fall 2006)
- Preparation of Final Study (Fall 2006)
- Consideration and approval of Final Study by Council (late 2006)
Infrastructure Improvements:
A focus of the study was the identification of infrastructure improvements and intensification opportunities in West Burlington. Philips Engineering Ltd. was retained to analyse and present information about the current and future infrastructure and planned and potential services essential to accommodate new development in the area.
The West Burlington Revitalization team has also consulted with organizations such as Burlington Hydro, the Region of Halton, the Royal Botanical Gardens and GO Transit to review existing infrastructure (i.e. transportation, servicing), to identify improvements and to see where future development could have an impact on infrastructure needs in the area.
Stakeholder Workshop
- February 2 & 3, 2006 - Royal Botanical Gardens
- By invitation
- Agenda (PDF)
Business and community leaders and other major stakeholders such as landowners were invited to participate in the stakeholder workshops. Atendees were asked to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the revitalization of West Burlington in four key market areas: Employment, Mixed Use, Residential and Tourism/Destination Retail. Attendees also developed key action items required to implement a short and long-term vision for West Burlington.
Public Workshop
- February 16, 2006 - LaSalle Park Pavilion
- Open to all Burlington residents
- Agenda (PDF)
Participants identified their key issues and priorities for development in West Burlington and reviewed the discussion and action plans generated at the stakeholder workshops. Atendees took part in additional facilitated discussions about critical issues facing West Burlington.
Final Draft Report:
Following the workshops, staff consolidated stakeholder and public input into ten major proposed actions for the future revitalization of West Burlington. Implementation steps were formulated for each strategic direction as well as suggested timeframes and proposed lead and partner agencies.
A Capacity and Fiscal Impact Analysis of West Burlington Development Opportunities was completed in July 2006 by urbanMetrics inc. The report contains an analysis of the net fiscal costs and benefits to the City, resulting from the key infrastructure projects.
In addition to the ten action Revitalization Strategy for West Burlington, the West Burlington Revitalization Study Report also contains:
- Appendix A - Potential Redevelopment Sites: This section can be used by the Burlington Economic Development Corporation for future investment marketing purposes.
- Appendix B – Potential Infrastructure Improvements: This section can be used by Council and staff for preparing and considering the City’s proposed capital budget and forecast.
- Appendix C - Fiscal and Capacity Impact Analysis prepared by urbanMetrics