On Monday, July 6, 2026, our city council will be discussing Item 13.3 Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 1200 King Road (DGM-28-26)
This is a “Committee of the Whole” meeting where votes are recommendations. When the council votes “yes,” they’re voting to recommend that council approve the specific action during a future “Regular Meeting of Council”.
CN Rail operates a rail yard in Aldershot. If you look closely at 1200 King Rd. on Google Maps, you can see that the southeastern boundary of the property is adjacent to many railroad tracks.
The southwestern boundary, near the Go Train parking, has even more rail lines.
What does CN Rail have to say about the proposal to locate 8,800 homes next to their rail lines?
“Deferring approval of the OPA and ZBA applications so that CN’s concerns can be addressed is in the public interest, constitutes good planning, and will secure important provincial objectives, including protecting the long-term viability of the Aldershot Yard, a critical piece of national transportation infrastructure, while ensuring that future residents of the proposed development are not exposed to adverse noise, vibration, and other impacts. It will also reduce the risk of conflict at subsequent approval stages and avoid potential appeals or disputes.”
After spending $785,280.37 on external legal fees in Millcroft, is the city heading towards another huge legal expense? https://www.focusburlington.ca/millcroftgreens/
Why is CN asking for a deferral?
“Council should not approve the OPA and ZBA where materials that support the approvals are not publicly available. In this case, the Staff Report recommends approval of the OPA and ZBA subject to the securing of draft plan of subdivision conditions contained in a confidential legal report (LLS-31-26), which is not available to the public or to CN.”
Is this developer aware of the issue?
Their lawyers should be:
“A portion of 1200 King Road is subject to a restrictive covenant registered on title as Instrument No.HR253285, which provides that the owner: “shall not develop the Property or any portion of the Property for residential use, hospital use, daycare use, school use and/or nursing home use (a ‘Sensitive Land Use’), as the Owner acknowledges and agrees that any such Sensitive Land Use is not compatible with the use of the…Aldershot Rail Yard.” The existence of the restrictive covenant, in and of itself, reflects the owner’s express acknowledgment that portions of the property are not appropriate for residential and other sensitive uses given proximity to the Aldershot Yard.”
Are future derailments a concern?
Where is this going?
This development includes a proposal for a taxpayer-funded arena, two indoor pools, 50 meters and 25 meters, with no details available on the developer’s contribution or contributions from other levels of government. Cost estimates for the arena and community centre are in the $300 million ballpark.
The land is currently zoned for employment. With the city’s plan to encourage us to walk and bike to work, locally available jobs are essential.
Should the city release the confidential document LLS-31-26 for CN’s review?
Is CN talking about legal action, and what will the city spend defending the zoning changes?
CN’s full letter is publicly available here:
https://burlingtonpublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=98014
Halton spent as much as $29 million fighting CN in Milton. Do Burlington taxpayers need to get ready for another round?
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