I am writing in support of…

I am writing in support of the proposed Minister’s Zoning Order for Millcroft Greens in Burlington.

The requested MZO would contribute to various provincial priorities by creating approximately 138 new fully serviced homes within an existing urban settlement boundary while also positioning a serviced urban block for potential development as a long-term care facility
or seniors’ residence by expanding the zoning permissions on this parcel. The proposed
development also supports the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks by providing for the conveyance of approximately 73 acres of private golf course lands for the public use and stewardship of the local municipal authority.

This application accordingly represents the rare opportunity to implement Provincial
directives towards finding opportunities for contextually appropriate intensification without the
need for urban area expansion or the uneconomical extension of infrastructure and services. At the same time, the local community’s desire for a large public recreational amenity can also be addressed without the need for a taxpayer-funded acquisition or expropriation. Both Provincial
and Local priorities can be achieved in a manner that protects the environment and the
safety/investment of local residents on lands that, in part, have already been through a thorough technical and planning assessment before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

The proposed restoration measures—such as 6.92 hectares of enhanced natural lands, the removal of artificial materials from an existing low‑flow channel, and the potential removal of two pedestrian creek crossings (rendered unnecessary by the proposed development) will provide meaningful improvements to the Appleby Creek system. Overall, our analysis concludes that the proposed alterations will not increase risk to life or property upstream or downstream, will deliver ecological and system‑wide benefits through restoration and potential public ownership of enhanced natural lands, and will overall better serve the public interest when compared to the current private golf course use.

Further the application inclusive of the proposed floodplain modifications, accordingly, represents a responsible and efficient use of land, consistent with Conservation Halton approved initiatives elsewhere within the watershed. This type of development-funded stewardship of the natural environment ensures the optimized use of developable land while also ensuring Provincial policies and technical concerns related to natural heritage and natural hazard considerations are appropriately addressed.

The potential transfer of the residual golf course lands into public ownership represents a
significant opportunity for the Appleby Creek system, the Millcroft community, and the City of
Burlington. If these lands were publicly owned, they could support a connected open‑space
network featuring walking and cycling paths integrated throughout the existing golf course and
Natural Heritage System. This trail system could link these lands with existing and planned
sidewalks, roadways, and future development areas, strengthening active transportation options
for residents.

As proposed the City would be provided with its vocally desired public open space while also allowing for a reasonable amount of future development where development is sustainable. The creation of an actual large public amenity within the Millcroft Community would help result in a compact, walkable surrounding neighbourhood that aligns with the established character of the community while improving accessibility and environmental connectivity.

Additionally, residential developments contribute to the economy in several ways, not the least of which is supporting the vital construction sector in Ontario. It is estimated that the construction of 1,000 new single detached homes creates some 2,227 direct person years of employment, and inclusive of all the downstream spin-off activity, a total of 4,600 jobs across the economy. It is also estimated that each new home directly results in four (4) full-time equivalent jobs. Scaling these statistics to the present circumstance, the OLT Approved Development and this additional development application will directly contribute in excess of 1,000 full time direct skilled jobs as well as secondary and tertiary jobs.

Accordingly the proposed development would optimize the use of the Millcroft Golf Course as
serviced urban residential lands in a manner that will generale far more economic benefits to the
Province and the City then would a forced retention of the existing private urban golf course.

It is clearly evident that this application would complement the previously OLT Approved Development by providing additional urban area intensification in a manner that balances a multitude of planning considerations, including the protection of the natural environment, respect for the residential amenity of residents, the availability and efficient use of municipal infrastructure, and a significant increase to the City’s inventory of publicly owned parkland and open space areas.

The application is backed by a committed consultant and stakeholder team that has already satisfied the Ontario Land Tribunal that the OLT Approved Development constitutes good planning for the City in general, and the Millcroft Community in particular. I submit that an MZO facilitating the approval of these additional lands will similarly achieve a good planning result.

In conclusion and with regards to the Ministry’s MZO Framework, the requested MZO would deliver on provincial priorities by contributing approximately 138 new homes within an existing urban area, creating approximately 73 acres of publicly accessible open space while also expanding opportunities for the deployment of a new long-term care/seniors’ facility within a community that would benefit from additional age-in-place options. Achieving these development priorities, while also securing a significant contribution to the betterment of the community through a significant new public open space, is the very definition of a win-win for multiple Provincial Ministries and the City itself.

For these reasons, the requested MZO is in the greater public interest, represents good land use planning and ought to be approved to allow the relevant public and private stakeholders to move in unison towards implementation as opposed to losing time, money and effort – in the midst of a housing crisis - disputing the principles of optimized urban residential land uses.

Sincerely,

Scott Bland
President, Argo Development Corporation