Resolution From Burlington City Council
Motion Memorandum
SUBJECT: Request for the Province of Ontario to Issue a Ministerial
Zoning Order to Protect the Parks & Open Space on the
Millcroft Golf Course
Resolution for Council to Consider:
Whereas the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has issued a recent decision and interim
order to approve the redevelopment of parts of the Millcroft Golf Course by the Millcroft
Greens Corporation on June 12, 2024; and
Whereas Burlington Council is not requesting interference with the OLT process or
ruling; and
Whereas Burlington Council is requesting the Province issue a Ministerial Zoning Order
as there is limited time to act to save this area before shovels are in the ground for
development; and
Whereas planning staff will continue to proceed with finalizing the planning instruments
in accordance with the interim OLT order until such time as we receive a decision from
the province on the MZO request.
Whereas the parks and open space currently operating as the Millcroft Golf Course, is
unique among golf courses, in that it is in an urban area, designed as a figure eight
weaving among houses, functioning as natural storm water conveyance on a floodplain,
and we know of no other golf course with these set of conditions; and
Whereas land use planning decision-making should always rest with local councils,
professional and qualified staff, and the community, for maximum accountability,
transparency, and democracy in adherence with applicable Official Plan documentation;and
Whereas in December 2022, following extensive community consultation, Burlington
City Council unanimously declared opposition to the proposed residential development
of the Millcroft Golf Course, particularly Areas A, B, C, and D of the development, and
support in principle for the proposed residential development of Area E which is not on
greenspace, and further brought these concerns to the attention of the OLT during the
appeal hearing; and
Whereas Burlington City Council unanimously approved a resolution on September 26,
2023 requesting the province to issue a Ministerial Zoning Order to protect these lands
from development, which it has the power to do at any time, to facilitate appropriate
residential development in Area E and ensure the protection of the greenspace and
natural areas from re-development of Areas A, B, C and D on the Millcroft Golf Course; and
Whereas Halton Regional Council unanimously approved a similar resolution on
October 18, 2023 supporting the City of Burlington’s resolution for the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing to protect the vital Millcroft Golf Course greenspace; and
Whereas the City of Burlington has recently adopted its 2022-2026 Work Plan, “From
Vision to Focus”, detailing specifically Focus Area 3 on protecting and improving the
natural environment and taking action on climate change; and
Whereas the protection of existing greenspace within the City of Burlington is crucial for
the municipality to provide opportunities for access to both public and private green
space for current residents and future generations; and
Whereas the City of Burlington has an abundance of options for development to achieve
provincially mandated growth targets towards accomplishing the province’s goal of 1.5
million new homes by 2031, and it is not required to sacrifice greenspace or build on
critical floodplains to accommodate Burlington’s share of housing as referenced in the
2022 – 2026 Burlington’s Work Plan: From Vision to Focus, Focus Area 1 Designing
and Delivering Complete Communities; and
Whereas a recent Burlington Staff Report found a deficit of urban greenspace of 104
hectares to accommodate planned population growth for 2051; and
Whereas the City of Burlington can accommodate its share of new housing units in
provincial priority areas such as GO stations, aging retail plazas, select growth areas,
and major transportation station areas such as Plains Road and Fairview Street
corridors; and
Whereas these growth areas are built into the City’s Official Plan and will more than
accommodate new housing growth for the municipality; and
Whereas the needs and interests of Burlington residents are captured in the City’s
Official Plan in effect and as adopted by Council in 2022 to provide clarity and certainty
about planned future housing development sites, and does not include any
requirements or need to redevelop the Millcroft Golf Course;
Now therefore be it resolved that Burlington City Council request the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing, through its zoning order framework process, to issue a
Ministerial Zoning Order to maintain the zoning permissions for Areas A to D of the
proposed development of the Millcroft Golf Course as they existed prior to the June 12,
2024 OLT decision;
Be it further resolved that the Clerk forward the resolution to the Honourable Doug Ford,
Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General, the Honourable
Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Honourable Andrea
Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Halton MPPs, Halton
Local Municipalities, Michael Kraljevic, Chair of Ontario Land Tribunal and the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario for their information.
Reason:
Request that the Province of Ontario to issue a Ministerial Zoning Order to protect the
parks and open space zoning designation, currently operation on Millcroft Golf Course.
