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Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park

UpdatePlanning and Public Works

Committee October 16, 2013

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Outline• History of the Regional Waterfront Parks Program• Master Plan Update• Master Plan Evolution• Park Implementation and Public Consultation• Technical Background• Property Acquisition Program• City of Burlington Resolution• Regional Staff Recommendation• Regional Consideration of City Resolution

October 16, 2013

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History of the Regional Waterfront Parks Program• The Halton-Wentworth Waterfront Study placed emphasis on the provincial importance of the waterfront from Mississauga to Hamilton.

• In the late 1970s, the importance of securing the appropriate land base for major public open spaces along the Halton waterfront was established.

• Halton Region Official Plan Amendment No. 1 established a vision for the Halton waterfront

– Established 11 water front Parks, 8 of the Parks have been fully developed, 3 Parks remain to be finalized Bronte, Burloak and Burlington Beach

October 16, 2013

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•Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 1

• The objectives of ROPA 1 were to:

– maximize public accessibility to the waterfront;– identify Regional Waterfront Parks that provide a variety of

recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities;– prevent building on hazard lands and establish priorities for

erosion protection; and,– protect significant physical and environmental features in the

parks

• The Regional Official Plan policies with respect to the Park have remained unchanged since 1980;

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Master Plan Update

• In 2009, Regional Council (LPS77-09) directed staff to complete an update to the Master Plan for the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park

• In January 2012, Regional Council provided further direction to explore all options, including a review of the residential property acquisition policy, coastal safety and the feasibility of municipal servicing

• A number of background supporting studies were commissioned focusing on the areas of servicing, land value, environmental impact, and flood hazards

October 16, 2013

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Site area of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park

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Master Plan Evolution

October 16, 2013

•Original Master Plan for the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park was approved in 1987

• In 1994, the Master Plan was reviewed and a number of adjustments were made including removal of the marina and theatre/auditorium concepts

•Since 1994, there have been many significant achievements and projects implemented

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Park Implementation and Public Consultation• In February 2011, February 2012 and June 2012 the City, Conservation Halton and the Region held two public information sessions and a design workshop to better understand the public’s vision for the park

• Several other community outreach sessions were held or attended by staff to further gather input and respond to questions from the community

• 3.5% of the Regional Waterfront Park (30 properties) remain in private ownership; when combined with the publicly-owned park space between the residential properties that would be unusable as a result of the private ownership, that increases to 10%

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Conservation Halton• In June 2013 Conservation Halton Board endorsed the following resolution:

– THAT the Conservation Halton Board of Directors direct staff to work with the City of Burlington and Region of Halton staff to continue with Phase II of the Master Plan review process with will culminate in the preparation of a Master Plan for the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park, providing the basis for a design and implementation strategy for the park;

– AND FURTHER THAT Conservation Halton develop a strategy to address encroachment matters following a final decision on the inclusion of residential uses within the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park;

– AND FURTHER THAT an environmental management plan be developed as part of the Master Plan process to guide restoration works, invasive species removal, the beach management for the protection and enhancement of the natural features of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park, including the significant dune communities and associated plant and animal species.

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Regional Waterfront Parks Advisory Committee

• In September 2013 the Regional Waterfront Parks Advisory Committee endorsed the following motion:

– THAT the Regional Waterfront Parks Advisory Committee supports the long-standing vision of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park being in its entirety public park; and

– That the Regional Waterfront Parks Advisory Committee supports a willing-seller willing-buyer approach for all property acquisitions in the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park..

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Technical BackgroundA number of technical reports were completed as background and in response to the Council direction, these include:

• Regional Land Use report• Regional Properties and Encroachments• Dynamic Beach and Flood Hazards report • Erosion Hazard and Beach Nourishment report• Servicing and Stormwater management options report• Preliminary Land Valuation report

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Property Acquisition Program• A significant property acquisition program at Burlington Beach was established in 1979 by the City of Burlington until 1993.

• The Region established an acquisition policy for Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park in 1994 and 1997.

• Since the beginning of the Regional Waterfront Parks program, 129 properties have been acquired at Burlington Beach

• All acquisitions have been on a willing-seller willing-buyer basis

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13October 16, 2013

City of Burlington Resolution

• “An inviting and publicly accessible waterfront park that will provide the community with a wide range of recreational, cultural and tourist opportunities, while respecting the natural hazards and environmentally sensitive and complex ecosystem. Ensure the park use is balanced with the need to protect, preserve and restore the unique natural beach and dune features. A balanced transportation network will ensure Beachway Park is well connected to the community while maintaining a pedestrian/cycling friendly atmosphere. Beachway Park will be recognized as a major source of community pride and a valuable resource that contributes significantly to the identity and culture of a city in a natural setting.”; and

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City of Burlington Resolution con’t.

• Recognize the continued existence of a residential community as adding value to the park experience; and

• Authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation to work with Halton Region and Conservation Halton staff to complete a concept plan, environmental management plan and detailed design for the Beachway Park component of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park in keeping with Option 1 on the basis of willing seller, willing buyer and also Option 3; and

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15October 16, 2013

City of Burlington Resolution con’t.

• Option 1- The park master plan would be developed with a 10 year implementation plan based on retention of some existing residential properties.• Assembly of properties specific to plan for phased park development

• Acquisition based on a 10 year implementation plan• Phased park implementation with consideration for 10 year capital

budget and specific land acquisitions (timing and location)• Potential reuse of privately owned properties

• Option 3- The park master plan would be developed on the basis of all existing residential properties remaining for the next 10 year period• Phased park implementation with consideration for 10 year capital

budget

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City of Burlington Resolution con’t.Acquisition Strategy• Authorize the City Clerk to advise Halton Region and

Conservation Halton that the Burlington Council supports a land acquisition strategy for the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park that will accomplish the following:1. Directs City of Burlington Staff to work with Halton Region and Conservation

Halton to determine and recommend on common owner for the existing and future public-owned lands within Beachway Park.

2. Enables voluntary acquisition of the properties as identified by the parks and recreation department as priority acquisitions including 896(900) Lakeshore Court, 973 Lakeshore Road, and 979 Lakeshore Road.

3. Directs City of Burlington staff to work with Halton Region and Conservation Halton to streamline the process of acquisition and explore ways to enhance the ability to successfully purchase the noted properties.

4. Preserves the ability to consider other properties outside of the priority list based on value added to the park and available funds as they might become available; and

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City of Burlington Resolutions con’tAcquisition StrategyDirect the City Clerk to advise the Region of Halton that Burlington City Council requests the following:1. Encourage the region to modify the region OP to acknowledge the R3.4

zones area of the Beachway,2. Encourage the region to accept the principle of willing seller/willing buyer

without expropriation3. Encourage the region to review its valuation practices with respect to

acquisition of properties on the beach to reflect competitive market values, 4. Encourage the region to adopt a long term market value benchmarking

practice for remaining properties in the event that a number of properties are acquired in order to protect the equity of home owners and avoid the risk of effective expropriation,

5. Encourage the region, Conservation Halton and the city to review their respective land holdings in this area for possible sale to bolster this community going forward.

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Existing Private Properties

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19October 16, 2013

City of Burlington 2013 Council resolution for acquisition

Option 1

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City of Burlington 2013 Council resolution for acquisition

Option 1

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21October 16, 2013

City of Burlington 2013 Council resolution

Option 3

22October 16, 2013

City of Burlington 2013 resolution

Encourage the Region to modify the region OP to acknowledge the R3.4 zones area of the Beachway

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1. The vision for the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park continue to be a public park in its entirety;

2. An acquisition/implementation strategy for the remaining privately held properties be developed in cooperation with the area residents; including opportunities to use incentives, long-term lease arrangements, alternative property valuation methodologies and funding commitments.

3. An Environmental Management and Restoration Plan be developed; and,

4. Staff be directed to work with City of Burlington and Conservation Halton staff to develop an updated Master Plan in parallel to the acquisition/implementation strategy. (to Council by April 2015)

Regional Staff Recommendations

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Regional Staff Recommendations

City of Burlington Resolution

The vision for the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park continue to be a public park in its entirety;

Recognize the continued existence of a residential community as adding value to the park experience; and

Option 1- The park master plan would be developed with a 10 year implementation plan based on retention of some existing residential properties.

Option 3- The park master plan would be developed on the basis of all existing residential properties remaining for the next 10 year period

Encourage the region to modify the region OP to acknowledge the R3.4 zones area of the Beachway,

Encourage the region, Conservation Halton and the city to review their respective land holdings in this area for possible sale to bolster this community going forward.

October 16, 2013

Consideration of City Recommendations

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Consideration of City RecommendationsRegional Staff Recommendations

City of Burlington Resolution

An acquisition/implementation strategy for the remaining privately held properties be developed in cooperation with the area residents; including opportunities to use incentives, long-term lease arrangements, alternative property valuation methodologies and funding commitments.

Encourage the region to accept the principle of willing seller/willing buyer without expropriation

Encourage the region to review its valuation practices with respect to acquisition or properties on the beach to reflect competitive market values,

Encourage the region to adopt a long term market value benchmarking practice for remaining properties in the event that a number or properties are acquired in order to protect the equity of home owners and avoid the risk of effective expropriation

Directs City of Burlington staff to work with Halton Region and Conservation Halton to streamline the process of acquisition and explore ways to enhance the ability to successfully purchase the noted properties

October-18-13

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Consideration of City RecommendationsRegional Staff Recommendations

City of Burlington Resolution

An acquisition/implementation strategy for the remaining privately held properties be developed in cooperation with the area residents; including opportunities to use incentives, long-term lease arrangements, alternative property valuation methodologies and funding commitments.

Directs City of Burlington Staff to work with Halton Region and Conservation Halton to determine and recommend on common owner for the existing and future public-owned lands within Beachway Park.

Enables voluntary acquisition of the properties as identified by the parks and recreation department as priority acquisitions including 896(900) Lakeshore Court, 973 Lakeshore Road, and 979 Lakeshore Road.

Directs City of Burlington staff to work with Halton Region and Conservation Halton to streamline the process of acquisition and explore ways to enhance the ability to successfully purchase the noted properties.

Preserves the ability to consider other properties outside of the priority list based on value added to the park and available funds as they might become available; and

October-18-13

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Consideration of City RecommendationsRegional Staff Recommendations

City of Burlington Resolution

An Environmental Management and Restoration Plan be developed; and,

Authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation to work with Halton Region and Conservation Halton staff to complete a concept plan, environmental management plan and detailed design for the Beachway Park component of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park in keeping with Option 1 on the basis of willing seller, willing buyer and also Option 3; and

October-18-13

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Consideration of City RecommendationsRegional Staff Recommendations

City of Burlington Resolution

Staff be directed to work with City of Burlington and Conservation Halton staff to develop an updated Master Plan in parallel to the acquisition/implementation strategy. (to Council by April 2015)

Authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation to work with Halton Region and Conservation Halton staff to complete a concept plan, environmental management plan and detailed design for the Beachway Park component of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park in keeping with Option 1 on the basis of willing seller, willing buyer and also Option 3; and

October-18-13