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.