Raise the Hammer

Okay, I can't believe I'm about to do this... defend Burlington (to a certain extent). I grew up there and had no problems leaving it's suburban state as soon as I could. Now, however, I return and see that, believe it or not, they've come a long way and Hamilton, sadly, is on thin ice if it gloats.

re. 1 & 2) Exit at the power centre. Excuse me, how is Hamilton fairing any better? Burlington fought Wal-Mart on their proposed Fairview Steet location and won concessions including a greener design, building placement that didn't allow the parking lot to dominate the street and a turning lane and lights specifically to handle the facility (and this was a situation where the land was zoned for big-box uses and the City had little leverage to actually force changes). Contrast this to the new Centre Maul where the Barton streetscape is now the backs of warehouses; the domination of the east escarpment skyline by Indigo and neighbours (with acres of parking), and; the myriad proposals being taken all too seriously to allow for more power centre development on lands required for employment and industry here (near the Innovation Centre, at Centennial and the QEW, on the mountain, etc., etc.). Hamilton is more guilty of allowing, and, in fact, promoting, inappropriate big box sprawl than Burlington ever has been. While they at least attempt to make the developments work and fit with their surroundings, they don't, for the most part, allow their construction on major highways like the QEW and they try to mitigate their impacts as best they can. Our Council, on the other hand, falls over themselves to say "You want to build, we love it, here's your permits, never mind the by-laws, neighbours or that pesky planning department."

2) Turn right at the next crosswalk. Guess what? There's more pedestrians around Brant Street and Lakeshore on an average evening now than at King and James. Better yet, most of them are bathed and none of them are bumming smokes or asking if you want/have some "really good stuff." Burlington has created, in the lower city at least, an excellent set of pedestrian and cycling trails using power lines, parks and other spaces and I can cycle from downtown Burlington to downtown Hamilton almost completely on routes where I won't get car-doored. I cannot do this from Gage Park to downtown Hamilton. As for the six lane roads, while I rolled my eyes and railed against them in my youth, at least they anticipated traffic flow and aren't the quagmire that we have on Upper James. Hamilton's apparent answer to traffic problems were the five lane expressways which suck the life out of downtown and are no more kind to people. Honestly, I'll take the six-lanes.

3) Look for the gigantic parking lot. Really? Which downtown has more surface parking? Sadly, I think it's Hamilton by a country mile. For the most part it goes without saying that Burlington's core development will have their cars parked underground and multi-level parking exists where needed like right downtown and at the Fairview GO Station. We can't get the school board, Mac or City to vision this for their downtown centre much less most of the private land-holders who will gladly tear down buildings to add to our surface stock if we need more space to park our cars. While I can't say this for sure, I'd even suggest that some of the Burlington malls and plazas have less space given to parking cars than ours in this town do. Compare the size of Mapleview to Limeridge.

4) Board the shuttle bus. Sadly, I think this that this again would be more Hamilton than Burlington. How are you going to get to the new stadium we've proposed?

5) Getting a bite afterwards. While this probably has more to do with affluence than planning, Hamilton doesn't support its local eateries to anywhere near the same extent as Burlington. Look at the number of fantastic venues that have closed of late while drive-thru fast food prospers here. The range and choice of fare in Burlington now far exceeds what you can find here (especially on Sundays and late at night). Hamiltonians eat at home too much.

Now, please don't me wrong... I do not plan to move across the Skyway. Burlington, for all I've said above, is still, at heart, a suburb. Still, it is a place where vision, hope and planning now have their place and should be looked to as an example, not a joke. I live in Hamilton and want to stay. I want a vibrant urban centre and a prosperous and livable community. This can only happen if we take some heed from others and check to see what's worked for them: a serious commitment to planning, proper rules, guidelines and enforcement. There's a lot to be learned from how Burlington has managed, and continues to manage, its affairs.

P.S. Trey, sorry for getting so serious on your, I assume, tongue in cheek commentary on our neighbour.