The Ministry should reject…

The Ministry should reject the request by Millcroft Greens Corporation for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to permit residential development at 2155 Country Club Drive and 4274 Dundas Street. Bypass of local planning processes via an MZO is an overreach that directly undermines municipal planning, compromises vital climate infrastructure, and contradicts the principles of responsible, sustainable growth.

1. Severe Environmental & Flood Risks
The subject lands are currently designated as Major Parks and Open Space and function as critical green infrastructure. The Millcroft community was engineered with a unique "figure-eight" design interwoven with the golf course to serve a vital ecological function: natural stormwater conveyance and floodplain management.

This property encompasses three of Burlington's thirteen major creeks carrying water from the Niagara Escarpment down to Lake Ontario.

Converting this essential green space into paved residential lots significantly reduces permeable land, exacerbating local flooding hazards and threatening the safety of existing homes in the area.

2. Undermining Local Democracy & Municipal Planning
An MZO is a powerful tool meant to expedite critical public priority projects, not to override local land-use designations for luxury, single-detached infill housing.

The City of Burlington and Halton Region have repeatedly and unanimously opposed residential development on these specific open space tracts.

Overriding Burlington’s Official Plan ignores extensive local community consultation and strips the municipality of its authority to direct growth to appropriate, transit-oriented areas.

3. Missing Housing Strategy Alignment

While addressing housing supply is a clear priority across Ontario, this specific development does not align with regional housing needs. "City of Burlington quote"

The proposal targets low-density, high-end single-family detached homes and townhomes, rather than affordable or high-density missing middle options. (From Mayor of Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward)

Burlington is already tracking toward its provincial housing growth targets by concentrating development near its GO Transit stations, major transportation corridors (e.g., Plains Road, Fairview Street), and aging retail plazas. High-value green space does not need to be sacrificed to meet these targets. (From Mayor of Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward)

Summary
The Province has previously asserted its commitment to keeping housing development off of critical floodplains. Granting an MZO to Millcroft Greens Corporation would set a dangerous precedent, signaling that established urban open spaces and protective flood management systems are open to speculative rezoning.

We strongly urge the Minister to deny this request and uphold the existing Open Space protections for these lands.