Hamilton's Planning Committee Addresses Vehicle-for-Hire Rules, Surveillance Cameras, and Multiple Development Applications

Hamilton's planning committee dealt with vehicle-for-hire rules, a surveillance camera bylaw amendment, firearms discharge rules, development applications at 360 Beach Road and 34 Mistywood Drive, and a 12-storey rental proposal at 520 Highway 8. Members also discussed official plan housekeeping amendments and concerns about applicants returning to the Committee of Adjustment after council decisions.

Topics Discussed

1. Vehicle-for-hire bylaw and accessible taxi service

Staff presented PED26058, a proposed unified vehicle-for-hire bylaw covering taxis, ride-share providers and limousines. Delegates said accessible taxi service remains inadequate. James Kemp told committee, "Unfortunately the accessible taxi program is not doing well. There's very few vehicles on the road. There's very few operators still holding licenses."

Delegates and councillors also focused on differences between taxi and ride-share regulation, including insurance, cameras, driver screening and inspections. Lloyd Ferguson said, "My ask is just make it the same for both. We don't mind competition. Just make it a level playing field." Staff said Uber's $1,000 limit applies to app-related liability, while drivers must carry commercial insurance up to $2 million. The committee approved the report recommendations, with Councillor Matt Francis indicating he would bring a more detailed motion to council.

2. Surveillance cameras and the fortification bylaw

Committee considered changes to the fortification bylaw that would remove surveillance cameras from the definition of "excessive protective elements." Delegates said that would remove the current municipal complaint route for neighbour camera disputes without creating a replacement.

Vic Peland said, "This amendment removes that process without putting another one in place." Councillor Tammy Hwang raised the same issue, saying, "The idea that it is not just about the amending bylaw but the fact that there is nothing in protection for residents should we move forward with this at this time." The item was later deferred to closed-session consideration of a related confidential matter.

3. Firearms discharge bylaw review

Under Bylaw 19-114 and item 10.1, rural residents described repeated target shooting near homes, with concerns about noise and safety. Melinda Ramsey said the activity was "intolerable and unsafe and directly impacting our reasonable use of our own properties."

Councillor Mark Tadeson said, "People should not be having to live beside an unregulated shooting range." Councillor Jeff Beattie said staff had agreed to move the report timeline forward from Q4 2027 to Q2 2027 "so that we can possibly get something done before next summer because this is unbearable especially in the summer months." The committee approved the review with the earlier reporting date.

4. Development approvals: 360 Beach Road and 34 Mistywood Drive

For 360 Beach Road, committee considered DPA2600071 / PED260002, an application to permit a private educational establishment with 28 classrooms in an existing building. Residents raised traffic and safety concerns. One delegate, Maria Bartellini, said, "There's been too many accidents over there," and added, "Someone is gonna get killed." Supporters argued demand for the school was strong. Councillor Jeff Beattie said, "the demand for this private school initiative is very real."

The committee voted 10-0 to approve the zoning amendment with holding provisions, with the bylaw to be prepared for October 7, 2026.

For 34 Mistywood Drive, committee heard about redevelopment and tenant relocation tied to PED26101 and a Section 99.1 permit application. Staff said the application proposes demolishing four townhouse blocks containing 28 rental units and replacing them with a six-storey, 128-unit multiple dwelling. Shannon Mai said, "The deferral that came from the June meeting was meant to give us the opportunity to consult with tenants further."

Jesse Vincent of Stony Creek Community Homes said, "all families from Mwood Village will have a right to return if they are in good standing." Councillor Brad Clark praised the relocation work and said it should be a model for other housing providers.

5. 520 Highway 8 rental proposal and Committee of Adjustment concerns

Committee heard extensive public input on a proposed 12-storey, 161-unit purpose-built rental building at 520 Highway 8 under PED26140. Residents raised concerns about height, traffic, privacy, parking and servicing. Nathan Black said the proposal "requires the city to make an extraordinary site specific exception to an area's existing planning framework" and argued "the current proposal has not done that."

Councillor Matt Francis noted the property had recently been listed for sale, saying, "this property is now listed for sale in the past few days. So, I think it's fair to ask what exactly is going on here." Staff said holding provisions tied to sewer capacity, water analysis and visual impact would remain with the land if the application is approved. Senior planner James Vanroy said, "The next owner who comes in will still have to do that sanitary sewer capacity analysis. They'll still have to provide a visual impact assessment and they'll have to provide a water main hydraulic analysis."

The motion to receive public submissions and approve the report recommendations carried 8-0 at committee.

Separate from that application, councillors discussed whether applicants can return through the Committee of Adjustment for changes to projects already considered by council. Councillor Brad Clark said, "This is not about efficiency. Uh this is about ensuring that when this council makes a decision about a property that that's the decision that's made."

Motions

• Development of a Unified Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw (PED26058) — Approved at committee; report recommendations carried 7-2.
• Review of firearms and bows discharge bylaw / prohibition areas (Bylaw 19-114, Item 10.1) — Approved; reporting timeline amended from Q4 2027 to Q2 2027; carried 7-0.
• Zoning By-law Amendment, 360 Beach Road, Hamilton (DPA2600071 / PED260002) — Approved with holding provisions; carried 10-0; bylaw to be prepared for October 7, 2026.
• 34 Mistywood Drive tenant relocation plan / related recommendations (PED26101) — Approved; carried 8-0.
• Review of Fortification Bylaw 10-122 / PED25276A — Deferred to consideration of a confidential item in closed session.
• Housekeeping and strategic amendments to official plans (PED26159) — recommendations approved, with amendments related to complete application requirements to be held until ministry approval is received.
• Housekeeping amendments and strategic updates to zoning bylaws (PED26100) — Approved; public submissions motion carried 7-0 and recommendations carried 7-0.
• 520 Highway 8 development application (PED26140) — motion to receive public submissions and approve report recommendations carried 8-0 at committee.

Attendees

Councillors identified in the meeting record as present or participating:

• Councillor Tammy Hwang
• Councillor Brad Clark
• Councillor Matt Francis
• Councillor Craig Cassar
• Councillor Mark Tadeson
• Councillor Cameron Kroetsch
• Councillor Ted McMeekin
• Councillor Esther Pauls
• Councillor Andrea Horwath
• Councillor Alex Wilson
• Councillor Maureen Wilson
• Councillor Jeff Beattie

Other participants identified in the record:

• James Kemp, delegate
• Lloyd Ferguson, delegate
• Vic Peland, delegate
• Melinda Ramsey, delegate
• Lucy Sheen, Thrive Group / Able Living Services
• Jesse Vincent, Stony Creek Community Homes
• Shannon Mai, principal planner
• Stephanie Webb, project manager, Licensing and Bylaw Services
• Dan Smith, director of Licensing and Bylaw Services
• Emily Co, manager of zoning and committee of adjustment
• Justin Leong, secretary-treasurer, Committee of Adjustment
• Spencer Skidmore, acting manager of development planning east team
• James Vanroy, senior planner
• Du Mata, planner
• Maria Bartellini, delegate
• Nathan Black, delegate
• Dr. Charles Hostavski, delegate