Jamesville Redevelopment plans postposed further

It may not be until next year when the Jamesville Social Townhomes dispute is resolved, as the Ontario Land Tribunal set a hearing date for next spring.

On Friday, the Ontario Land Tribunal set a nine-day hearing date of May 21, 2024 to try to resolve the issue.

The process drags on in the legal dispute between the builder, the City of Hamilton and CN Rail while housing problems in the city continue.

Residents hope that the Jamesville Social Townhomes in the North End could help alleviate some of the housing problems.

It’s supposed to be a brand new, 447-unit complex with more than 100 affordable units.

READ MORE: Update on Jamesville Redevelopment plan

But CN Rail has been saying no because the build is too close to their train operations.

It’s just east of CN’s Stuart Street yard and CN is appealing to the Ontario Land Tribunal to have more strict noise mitigation requirements as dust, odour, vibrations, noise, and overall safety issues remain a concern.

While this dispute continues, the Jamesville townhouses sit abandoned, doors open, windows broken, graffiti all over the walls, and just right across the street, people set up tents, living there because they are homeless, and have nowhere to go.

It is possible that the land dispute could be resolved before the hearing next spring, at a mediation session that will possibly take place in October. But, so far, talks have been unsuccessful.