Hamilton's Special Planning Committee Meeting on Aug. 25, 2026

Hamilton's special Planning Committee meeting on Aug. 25, 2026 focused on the proposed Alfrida expansion lands secondary plan and related urban boundary matters. The committee heard a staff presentation, public submissions and questions about infrastructure, farmland, traffic, schools and property impacts, then moved into closed session for legal advice before deferring further consideration.

Topics Discussed

1. ALFRIDA SECONDARY PLAN

The main item was the Alfrida expansion lands secondary plan, file PED 26152, covering about 1,200 hectares gross. Staff said "the plan results in a total of 983 hectares of developable land accommodating approximately 25,000 units and 64,000 residents and 6,100 jobs." The proposal would create a new mixed-use community in the city's southeast urban expansion area.

2. LEGAL ADVICE AND CLOSED SESSION

Before the committee proceeded further on the Alfrida item, Councillor Brad Clark asked to move in camera first. He said, "I'd like to ask that the committee consider the in camera portion of the meeting before we deal with the private secondary plan for Alfrida. I'd like the benefit of that advice myself before I make comments on the secondary plan."

The committee then moved into closed session for legal advice. Councillor Esther Pauls read the reason for confidentiality into the record: "The subject matter pertains to litigation or potential litigation and including matters before administrative tribunals affecting the city or a local board." A separate confidential litigation item, LS24020, was also dealt with in closed session, and its recommendations were approved to remain confidential.

3. STAFF CONCERNS ABOUT SERVICING, TRANSPORTATION AND PHASING

Planning staff recommended denial of the application, citing gaps in the supporting material. Staff said, "Staff's review indicates that the proposed secondary plan is not adequately demonstrated several key concerns. Infrastructure capacity. There is insufficient evidence provided in the application that the existing or planned water and wastewater infrastructure has enough capacity to service the proposed secondary plan area."

Staff also recommended that phasing policies be strengthened, stating: "Staff recommend that the draft official plan policies be enhanced and staff's comments on phasing with respect to both the draft policies and supportive studies be addressed and that a master phasing strategy be submitted to the city for review and approval." Committee discussion also referenced unresolved transportation, stormwater and environmental issues tied to the scale of the proposal.

4. OLT CONTEXT AND APPEAL HISTORY

The discussion took place against the backdrop of ongoing Ontario Land Tribunal proceedings on Hamilton's urban boundary expansion. Senior project manager Dave Hayworth told committee, "On August 17th, the Ontario Land Tribunal released a decision on the phase one hearing relating to Hamilton's land needs. The Ontario Land Tribunal in their decision stated finds that there is a need to implement an expansion of the city's urban boundary of at least 1,600 gross developable actors."

Staff also noted the application history: "The application was denied by city council in June 2025. The applicant then appealed council decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal." Another speaker summarized the tribunal process this way: "Phase one determined whether Hamilton needs to expand its urban boundary to accommodate future residential growth, and if so, by how much, and phase two will determine whether Alfreda is an appropriate location to accommodate the required growth."

5. PUBLIC DELEGATIONS ON FARMLAND, TRAFFIC AND PROPERTY IMPACTS

Public submissions raised concerns about farmland loss, infrastructure, traffic and the effect of proposed park or school designations on existing homes. Mayor Andrea Horwath said the lands are not simply vacant: "The lands are not simply vacant or underdeveloped land. Undeveloped land waiting for another use. They include some of the most productive farmland in the country comprised predominantly of class one to class 2 three soils considered prime agricultural land." Councillor Jeff Beattie added, "Ontario's losing 319 acres of prime agricultural land every single day. It's a concern particularly in a tariff economy where we're concerned about food sovereignty."

Residents also described worsening traffic conditions. Delegate Dan McCran said, "Mainly the traffic. When we built the house years ago, I barely had to look out the driveway to get on to Highway 56. Now, sometimes it's five minutes or more before I can even get out." Another resident, Phil Lee, said, "We have racing going down my street multiple times an hour."

On property impacts, resident Esther Pauls said, "So what you're saying then is the residents that are currently living there historically sometimes for five decades or more at apparent time they will not be expropriated." Staff responded that private landowners cannot expropriate land and that expropriation in that context was highly unlikely.

Motions

• Motion to receive the staff presentation — Passed unanimously
• Motion to receive public submissions and close the public meeting — Passed 10-0
• Motion to move into closed session for legal advice on the Alfrida matter — Passed
• Motion to approve confidential recommendations related to litigation item LS24020 and keep the report confidential — Passed unanimously
• Consideration of the Alfrida report — Deferred until after closed session

Attendees

The notes provided do not identify every councillor who spoke during the meeting, but the councillor list associated with the committee materials included:

• Tom Jackson
• Andrea Horwath
• Mark Tadeson
• Esther Pauls
• Rob Cooper
• Alex Wilson
• Jeff Beattie
• Mike Spadafora
• Cameron Kroetsch
• Ted McMeekin
• Brad Clark
• Craig Cassar
• Tammy Hwang
• Maureen Wilson
• Matt Francis
• Nrinder Nann