Ontario Land Tribunal upholds Burlington council decision to reject Lakeshore project

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has upheld a Burlington City Council decision to reject a proposed Lakeshore Road project.

The project in question was for new construction at 2020 Lakeshore Rd.

It was to demolish an existing hotel and restaurant located at the bottom of Brant Street and construct a mixed-used building with two 30-plus storey towers.

In 2022 the City rejected the proposed development after determining plans did not conform with ‘A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe’ nor with ‘Halton Region’s Official Plan’ and the City of Burlington official plans from 1997 and 2020.

In a joint statement Burlington mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Ward 2 city councillor Lisa Kearns stated: “This decision by the OLT to uphold the city’s refusal of proposed towers on our waterfront is an exceptional and significant win for the city and the community.”

They added, “We are thankful for the efforts of Citizens Plan B (Waterfront Redevelopment), who focused on the issues and helped represent the community voice.”

The OLT hears and adjudicates matters related to land and land-use planning, environmental and natural features and heritage planning.

Its decision on the Lakeshore project is an interim one. It will issue a final order that will include reasons for the decision.

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