Ancaster Village Heritage Community

Ancaster Village Heritage Community is a vibrant grassroots organization
celebrating the history of one of Canada’s oldest communities.

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A Tour Through Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.
Join me as explore the treasures of Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. A part of the Greater Hamilton Area, it’s home to notable attractions such as Tiffany Falls, Costco, Griffin House and St. John’s Church.

The OLT has decided to have a second hearing on the 442, 450,454 & 462 Wilson St.
Application (better known as the Brandon House site).

This hearing has been scheduled for Monday March 23.
The OLT website contains full details under case # OLT-25-000782.

OLT Case Coordinator, Haris Imtiaz.

By email: haris.imtiaz@ontario.ca
By telephone: Toronto: (416) 569-0552 Toll Free: 1-866-448-2248
TTY: 1-800-855-1155 via Bell relay

398 – 412 Wilson St & 15 Lorne Ave.

Urban Solutions (US) called a meeting on Monday evening to advise the community about the above project. About 70 community members were in attendance.

A huge 8 storey condominium complex with limited underground parking is planned. The historic Marr-Phillipo house will moved and then tucked away on Lorne Avenue.

The meeting commenced with US describing the project in some detail, with the effect on Ancaster and the streetscape outlined.

A lively debate ensued. Few attendees agreed with the US position.

It is with great sadness AVHC announces the passing of James K. “Jim” Macleod, our
President and Treasurer.
Jim’s voice, guidance and humour are suddenly quiet, however his impact will endure.

He will be greatly missed.

Jim’s obituary may be found on the website of Bay Gardens, Burlington.
JAMES "JIM" K. MACLEOD | Obituary | Sharing Memories

“The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) is involved with 40 Church Street, Ancaster, due to an appeal against the City of Hamilton’s denial of a proposal to sever the lot for six townhouse units; a public comment period ended January 18, 2026, for an online hearing held January 29, 2026, focusing on zoning, lot size, and neighborhood character impacts. Community groups like the Ancaster Village Heritage Community (AVHC) are actively involved, seeking to maintain the area’s character against intensification.

Key Details:

The Proposal: The owner wants to split the lot into six, building two townhouse blocks, which was denied by the City’s Committee of Adjustment.
The Appeal: The denial led to an appeal to the OLT, a common step for such development proposals in Ancaster.
Community Involvement: Local groups, including AVHC, are participating, requesting participant status with the OLT to voice concerns about neighborhood character, traffic, and density.
Timeline: A public comment period for the OLT appeal ran until January 18, 2026, leading up to a January 29, 2026, online hearing.

How to Find More Information:

Councillor Craig Cassar: Check his website or social media for updates and instructions on how to watch hearings and submit comments.
AVHC: Visit their website or Facebook group for details and to join as a participant.
The Public Record: Provides detailed summaries of the Committee of Adjustment hearings.

What’s Next: The OLT hearing will determine if the project can proceed, potentially setting a precedent for development in Ancaster’s established neighborhoods.

The OLT does take into consideration the citizen comments. If you are wish to register your opinion on this development it is essential you register with OLT and submit your opinion before January 18.”

Experience Ancaster

A Message from Ancaster Village Heritage

Our mission is to preserve Ancaster’s precious heritage, to promote positive development as our community evolves and expands, and to ensure the safety and quality of life of the town’s residents.

Executive Summary—Street Townhomes Could be Built With Little Notice

Recent zoning changes by Hamilton City Council now allow single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and street townhomes to be built “as right” in older Ancaster neighborhoods previously zoned as Existing Residential (ER). This is a significant change.

The Challenge Facing Ancaster Village Core–Brandon House: A Lost Piece of Heritage

7 Storey Proposal Seeking Approval at Land Tribunal–AGAIN

Minor Variance (Planning Act, s. 45(12))

Applicant and Appellant: 40 Church Inc.
Subject: Minor Variance
Description: To sever the existing residential lot into six (6) residential lots, to facilitate the development of six (6) street townhouse dwellings contained within two (2) townhouse blocks.

Wilson Street East at Mohawk Road, 1973

Wilson Street East, 1976.

Amber Glow Hotel, circa 1912

Hotel on the south-west corner of Wilson Street East

There was a hotel on the south-west corner of Wilson Street East and Academy Street from 1832. It burned down in 1878 and was rebuilt. The owner, John Crann, leased it to his son-in-law, Edward Henderson, who named it Henderson’s Hotel and opened it on May 22, 1879.

340-342 Wilson Street East in Ancaster

This house is located at 340-342 Wilson Street East in Ancaster.It is now a two-storey, double frame house.It was originally a single house and store built by James Wilson.He came to Ancaster from Ireland with his wife in 1846.He and his sons later (James T. Wilson...

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