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Dundas convent could feature group home
(Dundas Star, Craig Campbell, July 11 2013)

A 35-person group home inside the Sisters of St. Joseph convent on Dundas’ rural Northcliffe Road was conditionally approved last week, despite opposition from City of Hamilton planning staff who say the proposed use is not appropriate.

Staff already told city councillors they felt the proposed use did not conform to existing zoning by-laws and official plans when they recommended opposing a Niagara Escarpment Commission proposal to allow several additional uses at 574 Northcliffe Rd., including a residential care facility or group home.

In a report on the Proposed NEC changes, planning staff stated the additional uses are not permitted in the Rural Hamilton Official Plan or Town of Dundas Official Plan, they are not permitted in the existing zoning by-law and are contrary to the May 2011 agreement which allowed for a private school dormitory in the building.

But after further negotiation, including deputations by IBI planning consultants John Ariens and Matt Johnston representing the Sisters of St. Joseph, city council agreed to permit a residential care facility use, as well as a dormitory use, in the convent building.

The property was recently used by Columbia International College for a student residence and classrooms.

An application for a minor variance was approved by the city’s Committee of Adjustment last Thursday to make the use official despite the existing zoning by-law.

In a report to the Committee of Adjustment, planning staff continued their opposition to the change.

“Staff remain consistent in their opinion that a new use cannot be introduced through the variance process,” the report states. “A rezoning application would be required in order to permit the use and to amend a number of other provisions in the by-law.”

Staff said adding a 35-space residential group home on top of a 36-student dormitory represents a further intensification to the property – a possibility staff opposed when the temporary dormitory use was applied for three years ago.