Fate of 20 Burlington condo tower projects to be decided by provincial agency

An Ontario agency that adjudicates land disputes could ultimately determine the fate of 20 tower projects proposed for Burlington.

The developments are headed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) after builders and the City couldn’t agree on how the projects should proceed.

Chief among the projects is an eight-tower development proposed for Oval Crt. and Fairview St. The buildings would range in height from 11 to 30 stories with almost 2,000 residential units.

Other tower projects headed to the OLT  include 30 and 32-storey buildings proposed for Cooke Blvd.; 30 and 35-stories planned for 2020 Lakeshore Rd.; and two 20-storey buildings on top of a six-storey pod at 1989 Appleby Line.

Along with the condos and apartment complexes, builders have also appealed the process for proposed subdivisions. These include a 914-unit subdivision in the area of Waterdown Rd./Horning Rd./Flatt Rd.. As well, a 907-unit subdivision planned for Dundas St. and Tremain Rd. is also going to the OLT.

Typically, builders appeal to the OLT when facing lengthy delays in getting municipal approval for projects, or when municipalities disagree with the type of project that is being proposed. Regularly, from the time a project is proposed to when a decision is made by the OLT, several years could pass. Often agreements are worked out between the two parties before the OLT renders a decision.

Recently the OLT sided with the development company that will now proceed to build a 26-storey condo at 535 to 551 Brant St. The City of Burlington only wanted to approve an 11-storey building on the site.

A complete list of proposed projects that will go before the OLT can be found here in a July report to Burlington council.