Hamilton Planning Committee sees debate over building on city’s ‘Whitebelt’

At Hamilton City Hall, the hot topic issue of expanding Hamilton’s urban boundary had people arguing for and against building on the city’s ‘Whitebelt” land.

Some people urged city councillors to build on the land to build up housing supply, while others argued that Hamilton has more than enough space within its boundaries that isn’t being developed.

The topic is far from black and white.

“I would suggest to council that waiting for baby boomers to die is not good housing policy,” said Mike Collins-Williams, the CEO of the West End Home Builders’ Association.

That is likely why the topic of expanding Hamilton’s urban boundary comes up so often.

Greg Dunnett, the president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, was in favour of expanding saying, “working households are increasingly unable to see a future here, not because they lack employment, but because they cannot find housing within reach.”

“How much are these units going to cost, how much are these houses going to cost,” said Ian Borsuk, from Environment Hamilton, “the market, is the market.”

Wednesday’s Planning Committee meeting was not about developing the Greenbelt, but about lands called the Whitebelt – areas between the urban boundary and the Greenbelt.

“Over the long term, this could accomodate over 100,000 people,” said Colins-Williams.

Colins-Williams said there is too much red tape when it comes to building in Hamilton – which adds costs – and on top of that, he argues the city gets in the way of higher density projects, like condo buildings, within its current limits.

So building out is the way to keep up with future demand.

“This is about ensuring that there is enough housing supply,” said Colins-Williams, “and when we build enough housing supply, that creates competition in the marketplace to ensure that homes are affordable.”

But Borsuk said there is room within city boundaries.

“We have land that is approved for building that is not being developed on yet,” said Borsuk.

Around Hamilton, it’s not hard to find stalled housing projects – in limbo for various reasons, like the Hamilton City Centre that was supposed to become condos, or the church on James Street South that was also supposed to be condos too.

Councillor Brad Clark argued that there is no guarantee that opening up the Whitebelt would mean homes would be more affordable, and even if the city were to drastically decrease development charges, he said that doesn’t mean houses would be cheaper either.

“It would not lower the price of housing, because the market is the market,” said Clark.

Borsuk agrees, saying that expanding doesn’t solve the affordability crisis.

“Now we have houses sitting empty for an extended period of time, because no one is buying them, because no one can afford it,” said Borsuk.

Both sides agree that the housing crisis will take work from all levels of government.

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