[LRTfan]

Hamilton has never had any rule about building taller than the escarpment. We've had buildings taller than the escarpment since the 1970's and nobody even noticed or cared until this year.
Some city-hall connected NIMBY's seem to have gotten to some of the planners and are trying to get this rule on the books now. There's zero reason for it.
We only have a tiny downtown in which to go tall. We need the density, housing options, tax base and residential growth in the lower city. Any progressive planning staff would ensure great design, street-level interaction and not worry about the height NIMBY's.