[thistleclub]

Aerotropolis opponents gear up for OMB hearing
(Hamilton Spectator, Joan Walters, Jan 8 2013)

Environmentalist Don McLean says an Ontario Municipal Board hearing that begins next week is the first critical “pinch point” in a battle over the largest urban boundary expansion in the city’s history — a project known as the Hamilton aerotropolis.

“It’s important because this is the one (hearing) that will determine whether this goes ahead and if so, how large it is,” the Environment Hamilton director said of the OMB proceeding that begins Jan. 14 and is expected to last three weeks.

“We think the expansion being proposed is unjustified,” said McLean, who is part of a group of opponents led by Environment Hamilton and Hamiltonians for Progressive Development. “It’s clearly much too large. At minimum, it’s premature.”

The groups are collaborating with the Council of Canadians and the Hamilton Civic League in a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, staged by opponents to bring Hamiltonians up to date on the status of the city’s plan.