Provincial Mediation
Removal of trees, cut down May 1 for the planned Millcroft Greens housing development on parts of Millcroft Golf Course, began Wednesday, June 11.
By Craig CampbellReporter Burlington Post
A provincial office has been asked to facilitate discussions between the City of Burlington and Millcroft Greens, which could include possible sale of some Millcroft Golf Course land to the city for preservation as open space.
In a letter to Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, dated Tuesday, June 17, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack notes city council’s resolution requesting he issue a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) maintaining open space at Millcroft Golf Club on land not part of a June 2024 Ontario Land Tribunal development approval, for 90 homes and 130 apartment units, on parts of the golf course property.
But Flack said “it would be premature to consider” such an order.
“I believe that a collaborative approach would be more constructive,” Flack states in the letter, released by the city on Friday, June 20.
“To support this … I have asked the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator to engage all parties and I strongly encourage you to work with (the facilitator) and the landowner to explore how housing and an integrated parks and open space system can be delivered on the Millcroft Golf Course lands for the benefit of current and future residents.”
According to Government of Ontario websites, the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator is an advisory agency that helps municipalities, developers and community groups resolve land use and growth management issues with facilitation and mediation, or by acting as a negotiator for the province.
The provincial facilitator’s office, and the ministry, did not respond to requests for comment on how the negotiations will proceed, by deadline.
In a letter to the mayor, opposing the city’s MZO request for land at Millcroft Golf Club not currently approved for development, Argo Development Corporation president Scott Bland states the company had planned to present a potential sale of up to 70 acres “of the balance of the golf course, for nominal consideration, if an agreeable development scenario for the balance of the lands could be achieved.”
Bland states the owners of Millcroft Golf Club, and the Millcroft Greens development, “welcome direct engagement with your office to negotiate a balanced solution that serves all stakeholders.”
But Bland’s letter states council “should not pursue a forced outcome” through the MZO request.
In a letter responding to Bland, Mayor Meed Ward states the company’s offer to consider selling land to the city can be discussed in talks with the provincial facilitator.
“(City of Burlington) staff will be reporting on this matter to council and seeking instruction for staff to take part in this facilitated discussion,” Meed Ward states in the letter.
The mayor also responded to minister Flack, acknowledging his encouragement for the city and developer to engage with the facilitator, and noting city staff will report to council on the matter.
“Although you note it is premature to make a decision on the MZO, we will be filing the formal MZO request so you have this information, as it will help to inform the facilitated conversation,” Meed Ward states.
Burlington city council unanimously passed the resolution, calling on the minister to issue an order “to restrict the uses permitted on the remainder of the Millcroft Golf Course to those currently permitted by the City of Burlington Zoning bylaw” at its Tuesday, June 17 meeting.
The city has argued the unique golf course layout, snaking through an existing residential area, provides valuable stormwater control.
A note on the Millcroft Golf Club website states the course is operating 9 of its 18 holes in 2025, with hopes to reopen the closed front 9 by 2027.
