Burlington City Council rejects development next to Spencer Smith Park

Burlington city council rejected a proposed Spencer Smith Park development at the site of the current Waterfront Hotel.

The staff report about 2020 Lakeshore Road listed several areas where the application falls short.

Staff says the application is not consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, does not conform with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, does not conform with Halton Region’s Official Plan and does not conform to to the city’s new Official Plan (2020).

“Our planning staff have provided a very thorough rationale for why this application should be rejected,” said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in a statement. “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.”

The developers want to build two structures that are 35 and 30 storeys tall, with 557 apartments, 122 hotel suites, more than 4,000 square metres of retail and office space.

Burlington residents expressed concern over the proposal such as the size of the structures, traffic impacts, parking and more.

At another special council meeting held Tuesday, city council voted to receive and file the Waterfront Hotel Study Planning justification Report.