Mount Hope family calling on the city to re-zone their property to help find a buyer

A family that owns valuable land in Mount Hope is calling on the City of Hamilton to re-zone their property, as they watch the community blossom around it.

The agricultural land sits at the corner of Airport Road and Highway 6, but the family says last year’s vote to hold Hamilton’s urban boundary is preventing them from finding a buyer.

It’s up for 4.2 million dollars, with willing buyers and surrounded by rapid development, but Jeannette Macdonald says she can’t close a sale.

Macdonald says her family’s 100-year old, 9-acre parcel of farmland in Mount Hope isn’t financially feasible anymore for agriculture and would like to see city officials rezone it for residential or commercial use.

Macdonald’s realtor Angela Smuk says there have been 6 offers, all near or matching the asking price and prospective buyers have come forward with many proposals.

Back in November Hamilton council voted to maintain the city’s urban boundary, meaning halting expansion. Ward 11 Councilor Brenda Johnson says Macdonald’s property stays as is.

Macdonald says she’s been in contact with Ontario’s Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister’s office hoping to get it rezoned in the future.

Jason Gaidola has the details.