Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Plan for Hamilton brow lands in the air as province issues new zoning order

First Published:

The Ontario government has expanded a zoning order for the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital Lands allowing residential development.

It’s a massive shift from what the city had planned for the site.

The city’s vision included maintaining public access to the lands, the Niagara Escarpment and the restoration of the designated heritage building Century Manor.

That plan was made in 2017, after consultation and engagement with the public and local agencies and stakeholders.

“It was clear that the residents did not want to see this sold off to the highest bidder simply for residential development,” Ward 8 Councillor John-Paul Danko told Morning Live.

In 2018, the PC government cancelled a plan to sell the 12.5 hectare land to Mohawk College to expand its campus and restore Century Manor.

The city was going to use that $9.5 million toward affordable housing.

Danko says he received notice of the provincial zoning change Thursday night.

The zoning order says the land will be used for residential developments, like townhouses, semi-detached homes and single-family homes.

“This was completely out of the blue,” Danko told Morning Live.

“The province knows all the work that’s already gone into the property.”

It’s unclear what role the city will have in the future development of the site.

Danko and Mayor Fred Eisenberger say they hope the province will respect local planning decisions.

More Top News

Bernie Custis Secondary closed Tuesday following fire incident

A fire at Bernie Custis Secondary had made for an impromptu day off for the many students that attend the Stipley neighbourhood school. The Hamilton-Wentworth...

2 people in critical condition following house fire near Centre Mall

Two people are in critical condition after an early morning house fire near Centre Mall. Hamilton fire says that the multiple-alarm call on Dalkeith Avenue...

Day 1 of inquest into death of man during arrest in Brantford

Today was the first day of a coroner’s inquest into the 2019 death of a man who died inside a Brantford hotel room while...

Evening weather forecast for March 18, 2024

Steve Ruddick shares the forecast for March 18, 2024.

2 Niagara residents charged in armed Burlington bank robbery

Two Niagara residents are facing multiple charges in connection with an armed bank robbery in Burlington that led to a standoff with Halton police...

Suspect photo shared, vehicle recovered in Jackson Square fatal shooting

Hamilton police have released a blurry suspect photo and recovered the vehicle involved in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man near Jackson Square...

Bernie Custis Secondary closed Tuesday following fire incident

A fire at Bernie Custis Secondary had made for an impromptu day off for the many students that attend the Stipley neighbourhood school. The Hamilton-Wentworth...