Huge homes a blight in Ancaster?

They have become a familiar sight in neighbourhoods right across the GTHA. Monster-size homes being built on postage sized lots. But one Hamilton city councillor is hoping to stop the trend — before his quaint community becomes a victim of what many see as a growing urban blight.

Welcome to Ancaster. A charming historic town, nestled along the edge of the Niagara escarpment.

Founded in the late 1700’s, Ancaster is a blend of history and natural splendor, a vibrant community that has proudly retained its small town charm amidst the constant pressures of urban sprawl.

With quick highway access and competitive housing prices, Ancaster is a sought after community for affluent home buyers. But while the growth is a boon to the local economy, it may be contributing to what many see as an ugly urban blight.

Springing up on streets throughout the town are brand new monster homes — massive structures that overwhelm the single story bungalows so prominent in Ancasters neighbourhoods.

Hamilton Councillor Lloyd Ferguson: “First of all, it’s out of character when someone comes in it and is 1,200 square foot bungalows and someone puts up a 11-thousand square foot monster home. And secondly, there’s lot splitting going on. We have no storm sewers in Ancaster. It’s all surface drainage and when you put two homes on one lot, you increase the amount of run off — and our storms are getting worse which is causing downstream flooding.

And they aren’t the only things being affected. Ferguson says when a monster home goes up, so too do taxes: “When people come up and pay enormous prices for these homes and take them down and put up another home, MPAC walks in and says your neighbours property was worth that much, your property is worth that much — their taxes double and that’s difficult for people who are on fixed incomes.”

As far as a solution to this problem, council has asked staff to report back to them with some recommendations. And Lloyd Ferguson says he will be holding public consultations asking for input from stakeholders on finding a way allow people to build their dream homes while preserving the integrity and unique character of their community.