The application is for exactly the same 8 storey building that was denied after the Province passed BIll 150. That was due to what Ancaster Village Heritage Community can only see as remarkable intervention by the applicant lobbying the Housing Ministry. Wording proposed by the applicant’s planner was added to the Hamilton Official Plan and brought the project into compliance. Bill 150 basically rolled back changes to the Official Plans of 14 municipalities including Hamilton deeming they were never made likely due to undue influence. That reversed the Land Tribunal approval for this building but is is back. AVHC sees this as an incredible lack of care for the community given the obvious public expressions of disapproval for monster buildings in the Village Core.
ANOTHER TWIST IN THIS SAGA. AVHC HAS LEARNED THE PLANNING COMMITTEE PUBLIC MEETING SET FOR MAY 23 HAS BEEN POSTPONED WITH NO FUTURE DATE SET. AVHC discovered this after an enquiry when we could expect the Staff Report. We are not aware that any announcement was made.
IS THIS AN ATTEMPT TO SILENCE THE PUBLIC? The Province has set tight timelines for application approvals. AVHC is seeking assurances from the Planning Division and Councillor Cassar that this postponement will not allow the applicant to claim the City has been too slow and head directly to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
PUBLIC INPUT TO LAND TRIBUNAL PROCEEDINGS HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY RESTRICTED BY THE PROVINCE, so if this skips the City Planning process neighbours and citizens will have been effectively silenced.
While Councillors are not directly involved in development applications AVHC believes support from a local councillor who can see what is happening is key. AVHC encourages notes to Councillor Cassar ([email protected]) with a copy to [email protected] asking the City to ensure the doors are wide open at the City level in this process. Many believe this building, moving Marr Philippo House off the street, and another monster proposal for 442-462 Wilson Street E (Brandon House site) will effectively kill the Village Core as a heritage enclave.
The future of Marr Philippo House is tied directly to this project.
Our website name says it all: www.saveancaster.com. It looks like the time to work together to do exactly that—SAVE ANCASTER.
PLEASE JOIN AVHC IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER. A $35 membership by e-transfer to www.saveancaster.com with your email and address is all it takes. Donations are needed and welcomed.