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Some residents who live along Burlington’s beach front are waiting to hear whether their homes will be bought by the city to make way for a park.

As many as 30 homes could be sold and torn down. It’s all part of the city’s beach front master plan. Sean Cowan has the details.

This is called an acquisition policy and it’s actually been in the works for over 30 years. But now people who live by the beach in Burlington want to know what their future holds.

Jim and Marie Milner have lot of family history on Lakeshore Road in Burlington.

“When we first met, you were 12, I was 14 and you were going with a young fellow from Stoney Creek.”

“I met my wife on the beach here. Her parents also had a house on the beach here, married-raised three kids and my one kid met his wife who’s parents also had a house on the beach here.”

But now, after living in this home for over 43 years, they could be out. As part of the city of Burlington’s master beach plan and acquisition policy, city staff is recommending that some properties under the skyway be purchased. But which homes or the number of homes is confidential.

Burlington Councillor Marianne Mead Ward represents the residents in her ward. “In my view, the policy as a whole needs to end because it’s compromising all of the other properties here. If we are only interested in a couple, we need to move that Acquisition policy from all of the other homes and let them get on with their lives.”

Just down Beach Boulevard, Hamilton saw a similar situation back in 1973 when the city proposed buying homes along the waterfront to build a park. Residents in the area fought back and forced Hamilton to revise its plans for the area. Burlington residents are hoping for the same outcome. They’re gathering signatures on a petition asking the city to ditch the acquisition policy.

Burlington resident Helene Skinner says. “It just leaves us in a black spot. We are held hostage, it devalues our homes and we just don’t know what we are doing.”

Residents are hoping the city keeps the current beach front as it is-and leaves their houses alone.

“This is our whole life here; not only our home for 74 years but our whole life. So, I don’t know what we would do if we had to move.”

So the next step will take place on September 11th when a committee will vote on the policy. Then, council will vote at the end of the month. But it also finally has to go through Halton Regional Council so there are a lot of steps still ahead, and a lot of time for residents to express their concerns.

If the city were to buy all 30 properties, it would cost over $10 million.