As a long-time resident of…

As a long-time resident of Burlington, I am writing to formally request that you deny the Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) application submitted by Millcroft Greens Corporation.

An MZO is an extraordinary planning tool designed to expedite urgent projects of broader provincial significance, such as new long-term care homes or critical infrastructure.

It was never intended to serve as a loophole for private developers to fast-track low-density, luxury greenfield developments that contradict local official plans, bypass public consultation, and permanently alter established communities.

The City of Burlington has consistently and unanimously signaled its intent to preserve the remaining 100 acres of the Millcroft Golf Course as designated Parks and Open Space, even submitting its own MZO Framework Request to maintain these protections.

While residents like myself recognize in hindsight that a municipal purchase of these lands years ago would have been ideal, the current reality remains: utilizing a developer-led MZO to override the local municipality’s explicit planning vision directly undermines the province’s stated commitment to municipal autonomy.

Land use decisions for these lands must remain within the standard municipal framework where infrastructure capacities, traffic impacts, and community needs can be transparently evaluated.

And, there are so many reasons why this is important.

The Millcroft community was engineered decades ago with this golf course acting as a critical, interconnected green infrastructure system designed for stormwater management and flood mitigation.

We already have a stark local warning sign just north of this community.

Alton Village was designed with such high density and minimal greenspace that it has effectively become an Urban Heat Island (UHI). Walking from Alton Village into Millcroft, the temperature drop is immediate and palpable. I currently live in Alton Village and very much regret that decision.

Eliminating Millcroft's managed greenspace will not only compromise local flood resilience but will actively worsen urban heat risks at a time when provincial policy mandates greater climate resiliency.

Allowing this development to proceed via an MZO would be a profound disappointment. The housing planned for this area does not align with the provincial priority of increasing attainable or affordable housing. With homes in phase 1 of this development currently starting at prices of $2 million, this project serves private luxury interests, not the public good.

What Burlington truly needs to unlock housing supply is aging-in-place infrastructure. We need senior-friendly housing that allows local seniors to downsize out of large, four-bedroom family homes, thereby freeing up existing housing stock for young families.

The Tansley Woods community, located just south of Millcroft, is a perfect, sustainable model of the medium-density, senior-supportive housing Burlington actually needs. My in-laws bought a house in this area when they downsized from their 3,500 sq. ft. house and have thrived ever since. The proposed Millcroft sprawl does absolutely nothing to address this demographic reality.

The public interest is far better served by honoring the City of Burlington’s request to transition these lands permanently into protected public open spaces and trail networks for the entire community, rather than privatizing them for high-end development.

I understand the need to make money from their investment but the developer's request for an MZO is an inappropriate use of executive zoning powers to bypass the legitimate planning concerns of thousands of engaged citizens. For the sake of environmental protection, responsible urban planning, and respect for municipal democracy, I urgently request that you deny ERO Notice 026-0551.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and dedication to protecting Ontario’s communities.