Hamilton's Planning Committee Advances Housing, Heritage and Development Matters

Hamilton's Planning Committee advanced housing, heritage and development matters, including a proposed maximum indoor heat bylaw that could come before council on October 7. The committee also advanced plans for townhouse and mixed-use development in Ancaster and Waterdown, updated transit-area and additional-dwelling-unit zoning, and removed residential camera disputes from the Fortification By-law's enforcement scope. A proposal to extend municipal water and wastewater services to a proposed Glanbrook recreation centre was deferred to full council.

Topics Discussed

Maximum indoor heat bylaw

The committee moved the expected council date for the Hamilton Community Heat Response Plan from December 1, 2026, to October 7. Delegates urged council to establish maximum indoor temperatures for rental housing, citing risks to tenants, seniors and people without air conditioning.

Isabelle Caven said she was speaking for the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and noted that more than 70 health-care providers had urged the city to implement the bylaw. Mark Deano said, "A heat warning tells someone to find somewhere cooler. A cooling center tells someone where they can go. A spray pad tells someone where they can take their children. But none of those things changes the temperature inside of the apartment they have to return to."

Councillor Cameron Kroetsch said the bylaw should be addressed during the current council term. Staff said the proposed bylaw would be the first of its kind in Ontario and committed to providing a report before the October 7 meeting.

Development proposals in Ancaster and Waterdown

The committee considered a 59-unit townhouse subdivision at 509 Southcote Road in Ancaster. The proposal includes 118 resident parking spaces, 16 visitor spaces, a pedestrian connection to Moorland Crescent and a six-metre road widening along Southcote Road.

An amendment would allow the developer either to build a planned multi-use trail or provide cash-in-lieu so the city can construct it as part of a larger project. Staff member Scott Beedie said the amendment would address the timing of the trail along Southcote Road, from Burbridge Way to Garner Road East.

The committee also reviewed plans for 562 Dundas Street in Waterdown. The proposal could allow between 96 and 1,221 units, depending on the final design of the multi-dwelling blocks. The plan includes a mixed-use block of up to 12 storeys and two six-storey residential blocks.

The discussion included traffic, emergency access, water and sewer capacity, grocery access and differing unit counts in planning documents. Staff said the proposal includes holding provisions, well monitoring and protections for Niagara Escarpment and Bruce Trail lands. The city cannot require a grocery store to locate in the proposed commercial blocks.

Transit-area, mid-rise and additional-unit zoning

The committee advanced Official Plan amendments for 19 Major Transit Station Areas covering Hamilton GO stations and planned LRT stops. The amendments would remove minimum vehicle-parking requirements while retaining bicycle-parking requirements. Staff said the changes would not increase existing maximum heights or densities.

Protected station-area designations could allow inclusionary zoning, subject to provincial limits of up to 5 per cent affordable units for 25 years. Councillor Cameron Kroetsch summarized the staff explanation by saying, "So my understanding then based on what everything everybody said is there's not upzoning here."

The committee also advanced Phase 2 of the city's mid-rise zoning project, covering about 750 properties. The proposed R3, R4 and R4A zones would permit buildings of up to three, six and 12 storeys, respectively, depending on the site. Staff described the changes as a translation of existing legacy zoning rather than an increase in permitted density. A third phase covering secondary-plan areas, including parts of Stoney Creek, is expected in late 2027.

Additional-dwelling-unit zoning changes would align Hamilton's rules for urban semi-detached homes and street townhouses with Bill 23. Staff said the changes apply to urban properties only.

Heritage properties and privacy cameras

The committee voted 6–1 to proceed with designation of the Auchmar Gate House at 71 Claremont Drive under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The homeowners' representative said the building was unsafe and that preservation could cost between $500,000 and $1.6 million. Heritage staff said a city-commissioned study found the property had not reached the threshold of being structurally unsafe and that a heritage permit application carries no fee.

The committee also voted 7–0 to uphold the notice of intention to designate 650–672 Sanatorium Road.

Under report PED25276, the committee clarified that Fortification By-law 10-122 will not regulate residential security cameras or doorbell cameras. Residents with camera-related disputes will be directed to communicate with neighbours, use mediation, seek legal advice or contact police where criminal conduct is suspected.

Greenbelt recreation proposal and community safety

The committee debated a proposal to prepare an Official Plan Amendment that could allow municipal water and wastewater services to reach a proposed recreation centre at 4300 and 4280 Binbrook Road in Glanbrook. Planning staff said the Greenbelt Plan does not permit the service extension and that staff could not provide a supportive recommendation.

Councillors discussed reported infrastructure deficits of $176 million for recreation centres and $133 million for parks. Mark Tadeson said, "Our ward is incomplete without a rec center and an indoor pool."

The matter was deferred to full council for additional information. The committee also directed staff to review enforcement options for unsanctioned McMaster Homecoming and other student street parties, including the Nuisance Party Bylaw and incident tracking.

Motions

• Maximum indoor heat bylaw: Report deadline advanced for consideration at the October 7 council meeting. Passed.
• 71 Claremont Drive: Notice of intention to designate the Auchmar Gate House. Passed 6–1.
• 650–672 Sanatorium Road: Heritage designation upheld. Passed 7–0.
• 509 Southcote Road: Draft plan advanced with a multi-use trail or cash-in-lieu amendment. Passed.
• Major Transit Station Areas: Official Plan amendments advanced, including protected station-area designations and removal of vehicle-parking minimums. Advanced.
• Additional dwelling units: Urban zoning amendments aligned with Bill 23. Passed 8–0.
• Mid-rise zoning, Phase 2: Recommendations advanced. Passed 7–0.
• Fortification By-law 10-122: Residential surveillance cameras removed from the bylaw's enforcement scope. Passed 7–0.
• Glanbrook recreation centre servicing: Deferred to full council.
• McMaster Homecoming events: Staff directed to review enforcement tools and incident tracking. Passed 7–0.
• Ward 2 property acquisition: Deferred to full council.

Attendees

The transcript identifies these councillors as participating:

• Cameron Kroetsch
• Esther Pauls
• Maureen Wilson
• Ted McMeekin
• Tammy Hwang
• Alex Wilson
• Craig Cassar

The source material did not include a formal attendance roll.