Hamilton's ambitious development plan, down by the bay
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6515732-hamilton-s-ambitious-development-plan-down-by-the-bay/
The City of Hamilton has unveiled an ambitious plan to jump-start a waterfront community of 1,600 housing units as well as businesses and recreational areas in a project that will radically change the face of the West Harbour.
The Pier 7 and 8 Urban Design Study — which will be discussed at a community meeting next Monday — fleshes out the city's goal of developing harbourfront land it acquired in the year 2000 from the Hamilton Harbour Commissioners.
"This is the next phase to having it become a place where people can live, work and play on the waterfront," says Chris Phillips, project lead for the city. "That is what this design study is all about. How do we transform the lands into a waterfront community?"
The 226-page report will be released Wednesday in advance of the community meeting at the Waterfront Banquet and Conference Centre. The report goes to the City of Hamilton's Planning Committee on May 17.
No doubt, critics of the proposal will be at both meetings.
Harbour West resident Herman Turkstra says the city has been edging up the number of housing units and expanding retail space as the development process continues. Increasing the scale of the project will have negative traffic ramifications for North End residents, he says.
"What we have been seeing so far is a long way from the vision set out in Setting Sail (the city's West Harbour development plan). That report called for 750 to 1,000 units.
"With there being 1,600 units, it will increase the number of cars going in and out of the project in the morning and the afternoon."
He says originally, he understood commercial development on Pier 8 was to be more modest, aimed at providing amenities for residents of the pier, as opposed to a shopping area for the general public.
But with 16,000 square metres, he says, that suggests more ambitious commercial offerings. This, as well, will add to traffic and parking problems, he says.
For his part, Phillips says the city is aware of the traffic issues and has been implementing traffic calming measures as suggested by a traffic study.
Turkstra says he also feels the city should not be both the land owner and the rule maker at the same time for the development. With the city having such a financial stake, he says, the planning process is being skewed.
Community activist Graham Crawford agrees, saying "This has been a real-estate deal from the get-go."
He says the city should focus its attention on enhancing public space rather than trying to cash in on a development opportunity.
But Phillips says the plans for Pier 7 and 8 should be viewed in the wider context of the West Harbour that offers all kinds of public access with nearby Bayfront Park, Pier 4 Park and the waterfront trail. Public access to the waterfront will be increased in Pier 7 with the removal of boats that are stored on land.
As well, Pier 8 will have a recreational public pathway along the water's edge with the buildings set back from there.
"If you take all the land from Bayfront Park to Pier 8, well over 80 per cent of land mass will continue to be owned by the city and be completely accessible," says Phillips.
West Harbour meetings
West Harbour Community Conversation
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Evergreen Community Storefront, 294 James St. N.
Purpose: To look at upcoming projects in the West Harbour area
Contact:
[email protected] or call 905-546-2424 ext. 2085
Pier 7 and 8 Urban Design Study presentation
Date: Monday, May 2, 7 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Banquet and Conference Centre, 555 Bay St. N.
Contact:
[email protected] or call 905-546-2424 ext. 2085
City of Hamilton Planning Meeting
The Pier 7 and 8 Urban Design Study will be presented to the city's Planning Committee on May 17
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