Cool reception for Upper James development
14 Feb 2018 09:20 PM Mark Newman Hamilton Spectator
Angelo Riccio has a plan he thinks the city will support.
The president of Varcon Construction has been working on plans to develop about 1.6 hectares of land on the southeast corner of Upper James Street and Stone Church Road since 2010. Eight empty and boarded up houses sit on the site. The original development plan included twin 30-storey condominium towers. That was later changed to a couple of 12-storey towers plus some commercial buildings and townhouses.
Riccio is now looking to build an eight-storey building on the northwest corner of the site and four smaller residential buildings of three and four storeys on the east side that will feature a courtyard in the centre.
The first floor of the tower will be commercial space and the upper floors will be residential units that will either be rented out or sold as condos. There will be 315 units in total along with 382 underground and 135 above ground parking spaces.
"Every city needs development," Riccio said.
The plans were presented at a Jan. 31 public meeting at Barton Stone-Mount Hope United Church.
"I think we do satisfy the city," Riccio said. "They seem to be working with us now."
Joe Plutino of Mainline Planning Services is working with the developer on the project. He said the proposal is in line with the city's official plan.
"We moved the mixed-use building to the west half of the property at the intersection of Stoney Church and Upper James," Plutino said. "In doing so we complied with the intent of the official plan."
They are also looking to change the zoning for the site from agricultural to mixed commercial-residential.
Plutino said they hope to bring the plan before the city's planning committee by summer and commence construction in the fall.
The proposal received a cool reception from some of the 20 or so area residents who attended the meeting.
"I'm not thrilled with it," said Heather Korie. "We already have a traffic problem with the corner."
Joanne Eagles added the development will only add to an already congested area.
Plutino said the developer's traffic study indicates the project will add about 50 automobile trips per hour to the area during the morning and afternoon rush times.
While she agreed traffic is an issue in the area, central Mountain Coun. Donna Skelly said she supports the plan.
"I think it is a good compromise," she said. "I think there are parts of the city that have to absorb intensification and I think Upper James is one area where it can work."
When asked about the neighbours' traffic concerns, Skelly said that can be fixed.
"It's called improved bus service," she said. "If we can improve (bus service) on Upper James, I think you will see a lot of it fixed."
The Ward 7 councillor added that she is also pushing to widen Rymal Road at Upper James, which will also help ease traffic congestion in the area.
Hamilton Community News
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8...s-development/