News

January 25, 2021

Burlington City Council considers the adoption of the Burlington Brownfield Community Improvement Plan

Statutory Public Meeting Information

Date: March 2, 2021

Start Time: 9:30 a.m.

Location: Virtual at www.burlington.ca/calendar by searching for the meeting date for the Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee – Virtual broadcast via 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ontario

Links and Resources

• Draft Community Improvement Plan Project Area Map 
• Final Draft Jan 22 201 – Burlington EcDev Brownfield Focus CIP
• Public Notice

What is a CIP?

A Community Improvement Plan or CIP is a tool that allows municipalities to direct funds and implement initiatives towards a specifically defined project area. CIPs are intended to encourage revitalization initiatives and/or stimulate development and redevelopment. Once implemented, a CIP allows municipalities to provide tax assistance, grants or loans to assist in the revitalization of lands and/or buildings within the defined CIP area. Through a CIP municipality can focus public attention on local priorities and municipal initiatives, target areas in transition or in need of repair, rehabilitation, redevelopment, facilitate and encourage community change in a co-ordinated manner; stimulate private sector investment through municipal incentive-based programs.

What are Brownfields?

Brownfields are abandoned, idled or underutilized properties where past actions have caused known or suspected environmental contamination, but where there is an active potential for redevelopment. Brownfields are usually but not always former industrial or commercial properties. Brownfields are often also characterized by building deterioration/obsolescence, and/or inadequate infrastructure. Brownfields can include many uses such as old landfills, petroleum storage facilities, industrial manufacturing uses and warehouses, dry cleaners, former gasoline stations, and even institutional uses such as schools and hospitals. Most brownfields are in urban areas and many are in key areas such as employment areas, downtowns, and major growth centres.

Quick Facts about the Burlington Brownfield CIP

• The identified properties would be prioritized within a CIP in order to achieve municipal economic development goals. Provincial legislations enable municipalities to adopt a CIP, City Council as authority under Section 17 of the Planning Act to adopt a CIP.
• Burlington Economic Development Corporation has identified 294 properties within the city that are potentially contaminated due to historical, industrial or commercial land practices. Further studies note that 10% to 30% of the preliminary properties listed could be contaminated.
• Most of the City’s brownfield sites are located within the City’s Urban Planning Area (Urban Boundary), specifically the employment lands along the Queen Elizabeth Way, Highway 403, Highway 407 and Railway corridors.
• Burlington needs a supply of shovel ready employment sites to ensure it remains economically competitive, vibrant and offers a complete community where people can both live and work.