Province orders Hamilton to expand its urban boundary
CBC
The provincial government is ordering Hamilton to expand its urban boundary, despite a 2021 city council decision and massive showing of public support to hold the boundary.
The province's decision was posted late on Friday and approves an expansion of 2,200 hectares — even more than the 1,310 hectares the city proposed in its "ambitious density" scenario when debating expansion last year.
It is also removing the city's proposed 30-storey height limit on buildings and allowing taller buildings in community areas like Ancaster.
"The approved official plan amendments outline new policies and mapping to guide growth and development in the city to the year 2051," the decision summary says.
And in a separate but related move, the province also released plans on Friday to remove 7,400 acres in 15 different areas from the province's Greenbelt, including in Hamilton and Niagara, as a way to "to accommodate... growth and support the building of more homes."
The Ford government previously said it wouldn't touch the Greenbelt.
Those areas are near White Church Road East and Upper James Street on the Mountain, Barton Street and Fifty Road, and Oakes Road North and Main Street West.
The greenbelt was established in 2005 to protect agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area from development.
In the greenbelt case, the province is seeking comment over the next 30 days on its proposal.
For Hamilton's urban boundary however, it says 80 comments were received in a previous consultation period and the decision can no longer be appealed.
It's unclear if or how the current city council can oppose the move. The new council is sworn in on Nov.15.
However, the mayor-elect and other officials — many of whom shared their support for maintaining the boundary during the recent election campaign — are making their thoughts clear since the announcement.
"Today's decisions are very concerning. Cities work well when they are planned to be complete communities," mayor-elect Andrea Horwath told CBC Hamilton in an emailed statement Friday.
"That includes making sure that crucial infrastructure and amenities like libraries, good roads, parks and community centres are part of the plan. I will work closely with council and city staff to chart the best path forward for Hamiltonians."
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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