Participant Statement May 14, 2021 Oakville, ON

Participant Statement May 14, 2021

Oakville, ON

Local Planning Appeal Tribunal 655 Bay Street, Suite 1500 Toronto, ON M5G 1E5 Attention: Mr. Jason C. Kwan, Case Coordinator/Planner, [email protected] | 437-231-5651

Re: LPAT Case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022 and MM170004.

Dear Jason Kwan, Mark Flowers, Kyle Gossen, Samantha Lampert, Robert Howe, Catherine Lyons, Nadia Chandra, Isaac Tang, Katie Butler, Konstantine Stavrakos, Rachel McPherson Duncan, Denise Baker and Raj Kehar,

I fully and wholeheartedly support the Town of Oakville in its fight to preserve world-famous, iconic, Glen Abbey Golf Course – Home of the Canadian Open (30 of them), Jack Nicklaus’ first solo design of 410 in 45 countries, Canada’s first, and one of North America’s first hub-and-spoke golf courses, built for an emerging spectator sport. We, who live here, call Glen Abbey “The Heart of Oakville” because it is a beautiful, urban greenspace; and heritage landmark, that is integral to our Town’s identity, health and wellbeing. In fact, Glen Abbey is also the name of the planned Oakville community built around the golf course, the community where I live and have lived for over 30 years.

I hope this LPAT hearing sets a precedent so NEVER AGAIN do “the people” of any Ontario municipality waste valuable time (5 years and counting!) and resources including $9 million+ taxpayer dollars (Jill Gowland’s Freedom of Information Act request, as cited in David Lea’s article, Town of Oakville’s bill for Glen Abbey fight now approaching $9 million: Oakville Mayor Rob Burton says rules of town’s official plan must be defended, Oakville Beaver and Toronto Star, March 15 and 18, 2019) to prevent a developer who does not live in their community from flitting in and out to DESTROY HERITAGE PROPERTY considered precious and irreplaceable … PRICELESS … by the community … for (I can think of no other reasons than) PERSONAL PROFIT and GREED.

It astounds me that the fate of Glen Abbey Golf Course – designated a Heritage Urban Landscape under the Ontario Heritage Act and a significant urban green space, the value of which the world (including insurance companies) is just beginning to understand in addressing Climate Change and, yes, continued human existence – will be decided by a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), based strictly on technical planning issues as defined by the Ontario Planning Act.

If I read this section of the LPAT – Appeal Guide A (page 5) correctly, the LPAT is one tribunal in the Environment and Land Division of Tribunals (ELD), but it is NOT the Tribunal that adjudicates matters related to “environmental and heritage protection”:

“What is the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT)? The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) is an adjudicative tribunal that hears cases in relation to a range of municipal planning, financial and land matters. These include matters such as official plans, zoning by-laws, subdivision plans,

- Participant - LPAT case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022, MM170004 1 of 7 consents and minor variances, land compensations, development charges, electoral ward boundaries, municipal finances, aggregate resources and other issues assigned by numerous Ontario statutes.

LPAT is part of the Environment and Land Division (ELD) of Tribunals Ontario, a cluster of tribunals that adjudicate a wide variety of matters. The tribunals included in ELD adjudicate matters related to land use planning, environmental and heritage protection, property assessment, land valuation and other matters.”

Heritage doesn’t seem to matter. Ironically, in its ScoreGolf Magazine ad (Spring 2017), even Clublink, capitalizes on the heritage of Glen Abbey Golf Course, the historic landmark it is bent on destroying; and speaks to its belief that its proposed development of 3,222 residential units, including 9 apartment buildings of 9-12 stories, plus 69,000 square feet of commercial/retail space and 107,000 square feet of office space, is already a “done deal” … back then. In fact, a sign on the Glen Abbey clubhouse in the ad reads: “MODEL HOMES NOW OPEN.”

In my humble opinion, this ad exposes a sense of entitlement and utter disregard for history and the value of preservation for future generations, a disregard for provincially approved municipal growth plans, the environment and the health and wellbeing of the people living in the surrounding, mature neighbourhoods. In the ad, the words, “AFTER THE ABBEY” float over a bulldozed 18th hole (where Tiger Woods made an “impossible” 218 yard shot over water from a fairway bunker with a 6-iron, to win the 2000 Canadian Open and Triple Crown. Many regard it as Tiger’s greatest shot and one of the most spectacular in PGA Tour history.) A billboard appropriately reads: “LIVE WHERE LEGENDS HAVE WALKED” and a bulldozer stands before a field of large wood frame homes. It seems that the destruction of iconic Glen Abbey Golf Course is a trophy to be won; its redevelopment, the deserved spoils of the conqueror. But maybe that’s just me.

From a land use planning and environmental perspective, the impact of this unplanned, unwanted development, which will destroy an increasingly rare 229-acre urban green space NOT designated as a growth centre, growth node nor growth corridor by the Livable Oakville Official Plan - a plan approved by Halton Region and the Province of Ontario - is unknown.

Since the developer filed its first application in October 2015, the world has greater awareness of the negative impacts of environmental degradation on Climate Change events and humanity. For the first time, the world’s economic and defence experts are leading the conversation on Climate Action. Mark Carney, former Governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has recently been named the first UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance. National Security Advisors the world over are urging their governments to take decisive climate action now … and they caution, now may be too late. It’s that serious, globally.

Locally, the issues the proposed Glen Abbey redevelopment brings to Oakville, include but are not limited to: removal of habitat and home to wildlife and an endangered species; removal of 1200 mature and semi-mature carbon-sequestering trees; flooding; creation of new “flood plains” on residential property, which also negatively impacts property value (as I believe is the case with the Saw-Whet Golf Course redevelopment); increased traffic in an already busy area; and increased GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions, primarily, but not only from the increased number of vehicles – personal and commercial.

- Participant - LPAT case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022, MM170004 2 of 7 Who pays for the new infrastructure now needed in an unplanned growth area, such as: additional roads (not sure where those will go), sewers, water treatment plants, etc.? My limited understanding is that Glen Abbey is not in a transportation corridor. There are no schools to support the development.

Who pays for damage done?

Is it the developer? Is it LPAT? Is it the Government of Ontario?

Or is it, unbeknownst to them, Oakville taxpayers and Oakville residents? This redevelopment does not seem to benefit the Oakville community at all.

It has recently come to my attention that the Ontario Provincial Government now has the power to save Glen Abbey by issuing a Ministerial Order (Bill 257, Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, Schedule 3, Planning Act, 2021 which gives the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing almost unchecked power) or by adding Glen Abbey Golf Course to Ontario’s Greenbelt, by virtue of its Cultural Heritage Landscape designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. (Allan Elgar, Oakville Regional and Town Councillor, Ward 4 – with additions).

So why isn’t that happening?

I have many concerns.

I am concerned that this LPAT hearing is being held at a time when everyone in Ontario is rightly focused and preoccupied with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, new variants of concern, 3rd and perhaps 4th wave, and that this “non-priority land use planning issue” will get lost.

I am concerned that Participants’ voices, like mine, are muffled, as we no longer can speak at LPAT hearings; and are restricted to written statements, when previously, Participants were encouraged to speak at the hearing as it was considered more effective.

I am concerned recent legislation (Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choices Act, 2019) dilutes the powers endowed to communities, limits the scope of the Heritage Act, and puts the power squarely back in the hands of developers; and the impact that will have on the outcome of this hearing.

I am concerned that LPAT is simply the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) clothing as many of the OMB rules and procedures are back, but the name is still LPAT. Is that to disguise the fact, that once again, developers have the advantage?

I am concerned that 20 MPPs who had previously voted to replace the OMB with LPAT(Bill 139, Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, Schedule 1 - Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Act, 2017 - designed to give municipalities and “the people” more power in local land use planning), voted to put it back, virtually, the way it was, and that both new Oakville and Oakville North-Burlington MPPs, Stephen Crawford and Effie Triantafilopoulos, respectively, also voted IN FAVOUR!

I am concerned that if the LPAT ruling favours the developer, the precedent would have broad-based implications and endanger every municipality. If it can happen to iconic, historic Glen Abbey Golf Course, the “jewel” of Oakville as MPP Triantafilopoulos calls it, a Cultural Heritage Landscape protected under the Ontario Heritage Act, then all municipalities are more vulnerable.

- Participant - LPAT case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022, MM170004 3 of 7 I am concerned about how many more Oakville taxpayer dollars will be spent (in a pandemic) to fight a self-identified relentless billionaire, whom I believe is set on winning, whatever it takes. And a community that rightly does not want to spend more money on what is perceived to be a “lost cause”.

As Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said on his Oakville Matters TV show entitled “Preserve Glen Abbey” (April 28, 2021) to a panel of Bill McKinlay (Save Glen Abbey Coalition), Karen Brock (Oakvillegreen Conservation Association) and Doug McKirgan (We Love Oakville),“The hearing starts in August …. It’s slated to go on for six weeks. It’s going to cost a lot of money. Lawyers charge by the minute.”

He also said, “It was 10 years ago that the Ontario Government approved the Livable Oakville Official Plan and they gave us the authority to direct growth to where it fits … our growth centre, growth nodes and growth corridors. And, NOT Glen Abbey.”

“We have the capacity in those places to absorb all of the growth that the province would ever want to send us; as long as we use the growth centre, growth nodes and growth corridors as they are intended.”

“What they (the developer) are planning for Glen Abbey, our planner said would not fit.”

As, Bill McKinlay, put it in the March 15, 2019 David Lea article, “At Save Glen Abbey, we believe the town is absolutely doing the right thing in defending their right to plan and have their planning decisions upheld.

This is really a fight for municipal democracy. As far as the investment the town is making in this — Glen Abbey is a historical property, the community was built around it — if Glen Abbey is not worth fighting for, then what is?”

Community leader and panelist, Doug McKirgan, of “We Love Oakville” who fought amalgamation of Oakville, Burlington, Milton and others into a new city called “Halton” and long-time member of Trafalgar-Chartwell Residents’ Association, said this about the proposed Glen Abbey development: “It amounts to the equivalent of a small town being dropped into the heart of Oakville without any official planning.”

The estimated increase is 6,627 people and 5,000 cars and commercial vehicles.

There are so many good reasons this Clublink redevelopment should not proceed. As previously stated, it astounds me that the fate of Oakville’s iconic, world-famous, heritage landmark site, Glen Abbey Golf Course, is to be decided strictly on technical planning criteria. But, if so, these reasons speak loudly:

• No private owner should be able to overturn a municipality’s regionally and provincially approved Official Plan, developed over years, in accordance with provincial policy and legislation, and guided by public consultation.

• The Town (unanimously), the Region, Conservation Authorities and environmental groups all vehemently oppose the Glen Abbey Golf Course redevelopment because it is bad for Oakville.

• There are 6 Planned Growth Areas in Oakville - Glen Abbey is not one of them.

- Participant - LPAT case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022, MM170004 4 of 7 • In 2017, Glen Abbey Golf Course was designated a Heritage Urban Landscape under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Perhaps the pre-written letter campaign by Save Glen Abbey Coalition (of which I am a member), OakvilleGreen and We Love Oakville (comprised of 9 Oakville Residents’ Associations) summarizes the reasons best. This letter, quoted below, was sent to the Ontario Government by 1000s of concerned people prompting Oakville MPP, Steven Crawford, to address the Ontario Legislature on April 26, 2021, on the importance of Glen Abbey GC which he called “critical” for our heritage, the environment and as a green space. The letter expresses why this LPAT hearing should not be happening, and why the Town of Oakville, Oakville taxpayers, and we, “the people” of Ontario must win this fight.

THE PRE-WRITTEN LETTER SENT BY 1000s

“I am writing to voice my concern that ClubLink is proposing to destroy an invaluable cultural heritage resource in the Town of Oakville by replacing the Glen Abbey Golf Course with a massive high-rise redevelopment, contrary to provincial planning policy, and the Region of Halton and Oakville Official Plans, which do not allow this type of intensification in a mature residential neighbourhood, far removed from planned transit. Please consider:

• Town Council unanimously rejected the development proposal multiple times;

• Glen Abbey Golf Course is an historic and internationally--renowned golf course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, which has hosted 30 Canadian Open championships -- more than any other course;

• Glen Abbey is a landmark in the Town of Oakville, and is designated a Cultural Heritage Landscape under the Ontario Heritage Act;

• Glen Abbey’s unique cultural heritage value distinguishes it from other golf course redevelopment applications across the province;

• The Livable Oakville Official Plan guides the development and growth of our community and conforms to the Province of Ontario’s Growth Plan;

• Glen Abbey is not designated as one of the Town’s growth areas planned to accommodate major intensification and new urban development – but is located in a mature residential neighbourhood;

• Glen Abbey is located nowhere near the planned transportation corridors on which governments are making significant financial investment – unlike the Town’s planned growth areas such as Midtown Oakville and Uptown Core;

• this type of high-density, car-dependent development – which is entirely contrary to provincial land use planning policy – is especially concerning as we witness the urgent climate and biodiversity crises;

- Participant - LPAT case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022, MM170004 5 of 7 • The province’s current housing crisis cannot be solved by approving high-density development in the wrong location;

• Oakville does not want to destroy this property to gain publicly accessible parkland; and

• A private property owner should not be able to overturn a community’s carefully--crafted plan for growth that was developed with provincial input and in accordance with provincial policy.

I ask you, a government that bills itself as ‘for the people’, to uphold provincial planning policy, the Livable Oakville Plan and the will of Ontarians who do not want our precious cultural heritage resources bulldozed to accommodate bad development at the whim of a private property owner. The outcome of this case will have broad implications for Oakville and other communities in Ontario for years to come. Oakville elected two MPPs who campaigned on saving Glen Abbey for future generations. I urge you to take visible action to protect the Glen Abbey property.

Thank you.”

THE PRE-WRITTEN LETTER RECIPIENTS

Direct Recipients: C.C. Recipients

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected]

MY CONCLUDING REMARKS

As we face a relentless, deadly coronavirus whose ultimate impact is still unknown, and the ravages of climate change, the value of Glen Abbey is in sharp focus. The destruction of this extraordinary urban restorative green space, its biodiversity including mature carbon-sequestering trees and an endangered species (Jefferson Salamander), seems unbelievable. But, it is true. Iconic, historic, heritage property, Glen Abbey Golf Course – the Heart of Oakville – integral to our community’s identity and wellbeing, and located outside provincially approved Livable Oakville Official Plan’s growth areas, could very well be destroyed and disappear forever … for what seems to be PERSONAL PROFIT and GREED.

I sincerely hope technical planning arguments presented by the experts are strong enough for the LPAT

- Participant - LPAT case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022, MM170004 6 of 7 Chair/s to rule to preserve Glen Abbey Golf Course in its entirety for present and future generations.

More than good planning, I believe it is the right thing to do.

Perhaps, number 24 of Save Glen Abbey Coalition’s Top 30 Reasons to Save Glen Abbey may be too sentimental … too human … to count at this Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) hearing, but I believe it captures the importance of this LPAT decision:

“Heritage honours and protects our history; once it is gone it can never be replaced.”

Thank you for considering our community’s case to save and preserve Glen Abbey Golf Course.

As Albert Einstein once said, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”

Respectfully submitted,

Oakville Resident

LIST OF REFERENCES:

• https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/03/18/town-of-oakvilles-bill-for-glen-abbey-fight- now-approaching-9-million.html

• https://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/glen-abbey-jack-nicklaus/ Up North, Glen Abbey faces extinction, Guy Cipriano, July 2, 2019

• Local Planning Appeal Tribunal - Guide A https://olt.gov.on.ca/wp- content/uploads/2019/09/2019_08_28-LPAT-Guide-A.pdf

• Pre-written Letter campaign (by Save Glen Abbey Coalition, Oakvillegreen and We Love Oakville) sent to the Ontario Government by 1000s of people, prompting …

• Oakville MPP, Stephen Crawford’s April 26, 2021 address regarding preserving Glen Abbey to the Legislature of Ontario: https://www.saveglenabbey.ca/blog/mpp-stephen-crawford-supports-glen-abbey-golf-course/

• Save Glen Abbey Coalition’s 30 Top Reasons to Save Glen Abbey.

https://www.saveglenabbey.ca/top-30-reasons-to-save-glen-abbey/

• Oakville Matters with Mayor Burton, “Preserve Glen Abbey” April 28, 2021

https://www.saveglenabbey.ca/video/oakville-matters-with-mayor-burton/

- Participant - LPAT case #s: PL171084, PL180158, PL180580, MM180022, MM170004 7 of 7