A group of individuals, including a landowner, developer, and contractor, are facing legal charges in Burlington, Ontario for cutting down 425 trees on a privately-owned golf course in May. The City of Burlington announced charges under its private tree bylaw against five parties involved, alleging they caused tree damage without the necessary permits between April and June. Additionally, the contractor faces extra charges for tree removal under the public tree bylaw. The matter is currently before the courts, and legal documents show multiple charges against the parties involved, with a court appearance scheduled for November.
In response to the charges, a spokesperson for developer Millcroft Greens denied the allegations and expressed anticipation for the legal process. The developer mentioned that all work was carried out with proper approvals. The development in question pertains to redeveloping parts of the golf course to build homes and an adjacent apartment complex. The project has received opposition from a local group called Millcroft Against Bad Development (MAD), who are concerned about the loss of green space and community impact.
Despite the removal of 425 trees, Millcroft Greens stated that they preserved an equal number of trees and plan to plant over 2,600 new trees in the developed areas. The investigation by Environment and Climate Change Canada regarding potential violations of the Migratory Birds Convention Act Ontario did not result in enforcement actions. MAD members express disappointment over the tree removal, citing increased noise levels and decreased backyard enjoyment.
The group argues that the housing development, comprising 90 homes, will not significantly contribute to affordable housing in the city and is not worth the environmental disruption. The City of Burlington aims to address housing needs by constructing 2,724 housing units by 2026, including 228 affordable units. MAD continues to advocate for the cancellation of the development, which was approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2024 despite the City of Burlington’s initial denial.
Site preparation work is ongoing at the golf course construction site, with the installation of entry point fencing and site investigation activities. The city mentions that certain work may require permits, as outlined in a recent news release.