Tivoli Theatre | ? | 22 fl | Planning

[Beedok]

Very unique. Hamilton can use some flashy new towers.

[thistleclub]

Via Joey Coleman:

"The plan will require an official plan amendment for the height, minimal setback, and parking variances.

If approved, the OPA will change the skyscape of Hamilton by dropping requirements for setbacks and neighbourhood character along James Street North, and potentially across the entire downtown.

Presently, zoning requires new buildings keep with the character of their surroundings, often requiring setbacks as height increases.

Balconies are not considered the front of the building, and often the setback is the balcony.

If approved, this proposal will allow for similar 22-storey buildings on any similar sized James Street North commercial district property.

If the City denies similar exceptions to a developer, they will be able to successfully appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board....

The proposal was not positively received by the City’s Design Review Panel, in a meeting which the public was banned from attending at the request of the developer’s agent.

The City’s Director of Planning agreed to the ban and developers concerns about public opposition to the project. (The City Manager stated this was a violation of policy and will never happen again.)

The Panel did not approve the proposal and it is scheduled to return to a future Design Review meeting.

We do not know why the Panel did not give its approval.

The City’s Director of Planning did not keep any documentation from the meeting.

In response to an Freedom of Information request for meeting documents, the City states they kept no records.

This is highly unusual. City staff are diligent in recording meetings and keep copies of all planning documentation – except in this case."

[movingtohamilton]

"In response to an Freedom of Information request for meeting documents, the City states they kept no records."

Wonderful. Call in the Ombudsman.

[durandy]

I find this a strangely editorial article. I'm no journalist but it's hard to separate what is fact and what is opinion here.

In any case it presents some great information. If this is the maiden voyage of Jason Thorpe then maybe all the fanfare was misplaced.

Originally Posted by thistleclub

Via Joey Coleman:

"The plan will require an official plan amendment for the height, minimal setback, and parking variances.

If approved, the OPA will change the skyscape of Hamilton by dropping requirements for setbacks and neighbourhood character along James Street North, and potentially across the entire downtown.

Presently, zoning requires new buildings keep with the character of their surroundings, often requiring setbacks as height increases.

Balconies are not considered the front of the building, and often the setback is the balcony.

If approved, this proposal will allow for similar 22-storey buildings on any similar sized James Street North commercial district property.

If the City denies similar exceptions to a developer, they will be able to successfully appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board....

The proposal was not positively received by the City’s Design Review Panel, in a meeting which the public was banned from attending at the request of the developer’s agent.

The City’s Director of Planning agreed to the ban and developers concerns about public opposition to the project. (The City Manager stated this was a violation of policy and will never happen again.)

The Panel did not approve the proposal and it is scheduled to return to a future Design Review meeting.

We do not know why the Panel did not give its approval.

The City’s Director of Planning did not keep any documentation from the meeting.

In response to an Freedom of Information request for meeting documents, the City states they kept no records.

This is highly unusual. City staff are diligent in recording meetings and keep copies of all planning documentation – except in this case."

[JoeyColeman]

Originally Posted by durandy

I find this a strangely editorial article. I'm no journalist but it's hard to separate what is fact and what is opinion here.

In any case it presents some great information. If this is the maiden voyage of Jason Thorpe then maybe all the fanfare was misplaced.

I don't write in a "voice of authority" manner, the information is fact.

Thorne has improved access to public information. Much information was available only by FOI application. Staff are cooperative with neighbourhood associations and media more so than ever before.

I sincerely believe we have the right General Manager for Hamilton's new wave of revival.

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by JoeyColeman

I don't write in a "voice of authority" manner, the information is fact.

And this is the number one reason I love your reporting and support your crowd funding camapigns.

Keep up the great work, and very nice to see you contributing here!

[coalminecanary]

i hope they can erase the money mart in real life as easily as they did in the rendering :-)

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by coalminecanary

i hope they can erase the money mart in real life as easily as they did in the rendering :-)

^

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Looks pretty damned good. I did think it would be set back, however. Great news!

[davidcappi]

I like it.

[thistleclub]

Timing is apt. Ten years ago yesterday, LACAC moved to designate the Tivoli auditorium, following the Snidermans’ request for consent to demolish the former carriage factory portion of the Tiv.

[davidcappi]

Hopefully Mr Beume will sacrifice his strip mall at the corner once he sees the potential.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Cheeky. I like your style. That would be the ideal situation for that corner.

[Jon Dalton]

Looks great and I hope they can pull it off. It's totally out of character with the surrounding buildings but that's fine. It's time we see some edgy architecture like this in Hamilton.

[matt602]

Looks great but I'm still waiting for shovels in the ground here and at Acclamation. We're getting closer though.

[oldcoote]

That building would dwarf James N.

I like height, but it has to be in character with the neighbourhood.

[Beedok]

Originally Posted by oldcoote

That building would dwarf James N.

I like height, but it has to be in character with the neighbourhood.

I don't see how it's out of scale. You can have a thriving commercial street with a few highrises dotted in. Bank Street and Rideau Street in Ottawa are both good examples.

If height needs to be in character with a neighbourhood to get built then we'd never see any built. No where starts as a highrise district.

[oldcoote]

Originally Posted by Beedok

I don't see how it's out of scale. You can have a thriving commercial street with a few highrises dotted in. Bank Street and Rideau Street in Ottawa are both good examples.

If height needs to be in character with a neighbourhood to get built then we'd never see any built. No where starts as a highrise district.

If it's the trigger for more height, then I'm fine with it. But I just don't see it. The Acclamation Lofts are hoping for what, 6 stories? Nothing else is over 3. I don't see the corner lot at James and Wilson changing anytime soon, despite what we all would like. Maybe the NE corner at Cannon?

[Beedok]

Originally Posted by oldcoote

If it's the trigger for more height, then I'm fine with it. But I just don't see it. The Acclamation Lofts are hoping for what, 6 stories? Nothing else is over 3. I don't see the corner lot at James and Wilson changing anytime soon, despite what we all would like. Maybe the NE corner at Cannon?

There's Artizen Condos not too far away. Plus who know's what will be being planned in 5-10 years.

[davidcappi]

What about something like this as an alternative to the height issue? 10 stories on the front portion, and 13 at the back to create a nice transition. The corner lot could potentially be redeveloped as a 3 storey office/retail building.