Dundas Update

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

Via @JoeyColeman: Planning approved. Council to vote on ratification Friday.

Did this get ratified? Is it still happening?

[thistleclub]

Dundas Spencer Creek set for transformation
(Flamborough Review, Richard Leitner, Oct 10 2014)

A $1-million plan to restore the channelized stretch of Spencer Creek by Cootes Drive to a more natural, meandering form is being hailed as “a gem” that has the potential to protect the area’s imperiled turtle population and transform Lake Ontario.

Ecologist Tys Theysmeyer, head of natural areas for the Royal Botanical Gardens and a member of Hamilton Harbour’s remedial action plan, said he’s thrilled by the project, which is being spearheaded by the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Other key elements of the project would move the existing trail by the creek closer to Cootes Drive, replace dead ash trees, remove invasive grasses and create nesting areas for turtles so they don’t have to risk their lives crossing the road.

Theysmeyer said the significance of the creek and Cootes Paradise inlet to Lake Ontario’s ecology is underscored by the restoration being one of only two Canadian projects, out of 125, to receive funding from a Great Lakes sustainability fund.

While the plan will go through public consultation before work begins in the spring, he said he believes the impact for visitors to the area will be similar to the Waterfront Trail’s on the west harbour.

“It is very exciting. We’re kind of looking at reimagining an area that’s been a certain way for what, 150 years? We’ve gone through a whole cycle and we’re entering a new era,” Theysmeyer said.

“The other side of it that’s difficult to appreciate if you’ve just lived here the whole time is how much the international community values these areas on the Great Lakes,” he said.

“Certainly on Lake Ontario there are so few of them, so when you have one with a reasonably large river, a monstrous marsh and an upper watershed that’s in very nice condition, you have all those elements that don’t exist anywhere else.”

Hazel Breton, the authority’s manager of water resources engineering, said the restoration is getting $125,000 from the Sustain Our Great Lakes Fund and $53,000 from the Ministry of Natural Resources, which hopes to re-establish walleye habitat.

But she said students from the University of Waterloo and Niagara College will also donate “hundreds of thousands of dollars” of design work.

Breton said although the goal is to realign the stretch of Spencer between Thorpe Street and Cootes Drive, the initial phase will focus on about 300 metres closest to Cootes, with future phases moving upstream as funding becomes available.


Read it in full here.

[thistleclub]

Cootes to Escarpment park makes top 14 in national contest
(Burlington Post, Oct 21 2014)

The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System, which is shared by Hamilton and Burlington, has made it to the final 14 locations in the Great Places in Canada contest.

Nearly 14,500 votes were received from Canadians across the country over the four-month contest period for 32 locations across the nation.

Spencer Smith Park in downtown Burlington was in the top 32, but did not make the final 14.

The competition is hosted by the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Six locations will take home the honours, either as people’s choice winners based on overall numbers of votes, or as the grand prize winners based on planning excellence and as determined by Canadian planners.

Each grand prize site will receive a steel plaque.

Winners will be announced on World Town Planning Day on Nov. 7.

[thistleclub]

Knowles Bequest, Dundas Reserve fund new gateway water feature
(Dundas Star, Craig Campbell, Dec 23 2014)

A new gateway water feature has been installed on Cootes Drive with no impact on the City of Hamilton’s capital budget.

Approximately $22,000 of the cost to construct the stone waterfall in the median near Thorpe Street came from the Knowles Bequest Fund, while up to $7,500 was formally approved last week to come from the Dundas Reserve Fund.

Knowles Bequest is a fund of more than $264,000 managed by a local volunteer board. It was started in the 1930s with a $20,000 trust fund set up by Colonel William S. Knowles for beautification and enhancements within the former Town of Dundas.

The Dundas Reserve Fund is projected to end 2014 with a balance of $97,050. The reserve fund for local community projects receives annual cash injections of more than $101,000 each year from cell tower leases with Bell, Rogers and Public Mobile.

Read it in full here.

[thistleclub]

Dundas conservation area’s entrance to get a do-over
(Dundas Star, Richard Leitner, Jan 29 2015)

Mother Nature will get help restoring a meadow on the top of the hill at the Governor’s Road entrance to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area after a hands-off approach brought a proliferation of noxious weeds.

Sandy Bell, the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s manager of design and development, said staff stopped cutting grass on most of the hill several years ago to save money and because the upper portion’s steep grade was unsafe for riding-mower operators.

He said hopes the upper slope would naturally return to meadow were dashed when it became overrun with thistle, prompting complaints the area was unsightly and that the weed’s seeds were blowing onto neighbours’ lawns.

Bell said the thistles were razed last year as part of a plan to spend about $7,000 to plant some core species there, including a half dozen oak trees, native shrubs and perennial flowers like coneflowers, sunflowers and snakeroot.

“Sometimes you can’t just let it go,” he told members of the authority‘s conservation advisory board. “We’ll have a few species in there that can outcompete the thistles.”

Bell said there are no plans to plant on the lower two-thirds of the hill, still a popular tobogganing spot in the winter.

“It’s only in the steepest area,” he said. “It’s not that we have anything against tobogganing if it can be done safely.”

Read it in full here

[thistleclub]

Hamilton council asked to allow Dundas’ former Valley City Manufacturing site become commercial space
(Dundas Star, Craig Campbell, Feb 5 2015)

A temporary use bylaw application for an historic Dundas building at 64 Hatt St. will formalize several existing commercial businesses operating there for the past two years.

City staff posted official notice on the side of the former Valley City Manufacturing building last week, stating an application has been made “to permit commercial uses within the existing industrial building for a three-year period. The proposed uses include offices, professional services and retail commercial uses.”

According to the Valley City website, the heritage building has 14 current tenants. Among the businesses operating within the former industrial furniture manufacturer, which ceased operation in early 2012, is Watson’s Engraving and Signage Inc. The family business relocated after a fire destroyed its previous building in November 2012.

The law office of Christopher Parton moved into the Valley City building in spring 2013, followed by Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds that summer, and Valley Antiques around the same time.

Building owner Bob Crockford was out of the country earlier this week and unavailable for comment by deadline.

City of Hamilton planning manager Edward John said there has been a Formal Consultation for a proposed comprehensive redevelopment of the Valley City property that includes both commercial and residential uses.

“The formal consultation identified a number of (required) supporting studies,” John said. “I believe the intent of the current application is to have interim uses until those studies are finalized.”

A staff report on the application is not expected to go to city council’s planning committee until late 2015. In the meantime, there is no indication the businesses currently operating at the Valley City building will be affected in any way.

Read it in full here.

[mattgrande]

Wasn't that where someone was proposing a brewery? One of the wineries, I think?

[beanmedic]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

Wasn't that where someone was proposing a brewery? One of the wineries, I think?

Flat Rock

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

Wasn't that where someone was proposing a brewery? One of the wineries, I think?

Story says the brewery is across the street:
"The former Valley City warehouse at 65 Hatt St., across from the main buildings, was sold to Ed Madronich of Flat Rock Cellars winery. Madronich is in the process of forming a new craft brewery on that property."

Must be this building:
http://goo.gl/maps/O0gNB

[mattgrande]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Story says the brewery is across the street:
"The former Valley City warehouse at 65 Hatt St., across from the main buildings, was sold to Ed Madronich of Flat Rock Cellars winery. Madronich is in the process of forming a new craft brewery on that property."

Must be this building:
http://goo.gl/maps/O0gNB

Ahh, sorry, didn't click through to the story. Thanks!

[mattgrande]

It looks like they're building two buildings in the Baskin Robbins plaza where Hwy 2 meets... Hwy 2, I guess?

Anyone know what they're building?

[davidcappi]

It looks like they're building two buildings in the Baskin Robbins plaza where Hwy 2 meets... Hwy 2, I guess?

Anyone know what they're building?

Just a few small infill buildings in the plaza. I guess they want to fill up space since the Crabby Joe's burned down a few years back. Architect for the buildings is DPAi

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^I've always thought that spot would be perfect for some very dense TOD. Seems like a logical transit point.

[thomax]

@forgeandfoster - We're excited for you to see the plans have in store at historic 64 Hatt Street in Dundas #HamOnt https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/7392277-dundas-historic-valley-city-property-sold/…

Dundas' historic Valley City property sold

Forge and Foster to reuse existing space for offices, restaurants

By Craig Campbell | June 26, 2017

The former Valley City Manufacturing site at 64 Hatt St. will be revitalized as a commercial and office space featuring restaurants along the street, after the Crockford family sold the site this month to Forge and Foster.

Joe Accardi of Forge and Foster, which renovated the former Spectator building at 115 King St. E and owns the former Ball manufacturing plant at 391 Victoria Ave. N., paid $4.1 million to Bob Crockford on June 15 to add the 75,000-plus square foot sprawling Dundas site to his portfolio.

Former Dundas resident Ben Ames, who will manage the former Valley City site, said there are no plans to knock down any buildings, add new buildings or pursue multi-residential development.

“We love our old brick and beam buildings,” Ames said.

Existing tenants are expected to remain, with more creative businesses likely on the way, as well as potential restaurants in the new owner’s Honest Foods portfolio, which already includes The Beverly on Locke Street and The Black Forest Inn, among others.

“There is so much space there, we didn’t want anyone to leave unnecessarily,” Ames said.

Crockford said he, his brother Stephen and sister Judy always hoped to see the building adaptively reused — and not flattened.

“They made an effort to let tenants know they wanted them to stay,” he said. “They wanted to keep it as it is, renovate and expand the number of tenants. That pleased me.

“They were satisfied it was a good building and we were satisfied they were a thoughtful owner that will do good things for the town.”

Since closing the manufacturing business about five years ago, Crockford said he had talked to potential buyers who were keen on demolishing much of the historic structure and pursuing highrise residential.

“We didn’t want to have to avert our eyes when we drive by it,” Crockford said.

Ames said Forge and Foster plans to finalize a temporary rezoning permitting a variety of existing uses, then later get a permanent rezoning that will also permit higher-end retail and restaurants along Hatt Street with more open-concept office space throughout the structure.

He said the new owners will take inspiration from the renovation of the former Valley City warehouse across the street into a craft brewery.

[thistleclub]

The former Valley City Manufacturing site at 64 Hatt St. will be revitalized as a commercial and office space featuring restaurants along the street, after the Crockford family sold the site this month to Forge and Foster. …Forge and Foster plans to finalize a temporary rezoning permitting a variety of existing uses, then later get a permanent rezoning that will also permit higher-end retail and restaurants along Hatt Street…

Along the way, they might want to petition the City to convert on-street parking to expanded sidewalk. It's pretty tight on that stretch, around 1/3 the width of the King West just a couple of blocks away (or even the brewery across the street).

[SteelTown]

Dundas Sisters of St. Joseph convent subject of secondary school proposal
Columbia College suggesting 1,000 students while maintaining small convent

https://www.thespec.com/community-st...hool-proposal/

Representatives of the Sisters of St. Joseph convent at 574 Northcliffe Ave. are consulting City of Hamilton staff about converting most of the 96,000 square foot building into a 1,000-student secondary school for Columbia International College.

The four-storey, 67-year-old structure was up for sale in November for $15 million, but the listing was soon removed. The realtor, convent and Columbia previously declined comment. But on June 20, planning consultant IBI Group requested formal consultation with the city. That public document describes the goals of the two organizations.

"The reuse of the subject lands is desirable as the property was listed for sale in late 2017 indicating the space is much larger than the sisters need," the proposal description in IBI Group's request states. "This proposal is mutually beneficial for both the Sisters of St. Joseph being able to use a more appropriate space within the existing building, and Columbia International College utilizing the rest of the space for institutional uses for classes for 1,000 students."

Sister Margo Ritchie, congressional leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph, gave IBI Group permission to request formal consultation.

Ritchie told the Dundas Star the sisters made a communal decision to sell the Dundas property.

"We no longer need this much space. Selling the building allows us to focus more of our energy on our mission together," she said.

It opened in 1951 on more than 50 acres to accommodate about 200 sisters. The population declined to 43 by 2011. Ritchie said about 25 sisters currently live there.

"We have a good partner with (Columbia) and work is still in progress to see if, in fact, a sale might proceed," Ritchie said. "The sisters are open to a lease back of some space if the sale proceeds."

It's not the first time Columbia and the convent have partnered to try and address both organizations needs. In 2011 the city permitted temporary additional dormitory and classroom uses for up to 36 female Columbia students.

A meeting between IBI and city staff is expected within four to six weeks of the June 20 request. More details on required steps should be available around mid-August.

[thistleclub]

Dundas former Canadian Tire site offers accepted until Jan. 30
(Dundas Star, Craig Campbell, Jan 23 2020)

Canadian Tire will review offers to purchase its 50 Cootes Dr. property, through realtor Colliers International, on Jan. 30.

The offer date of Jan. 30 was set for Colliers to present all offers to purchase to current owner Canadian Tire.

According to a “sale teaser” document on the Colliers website, the objective is to close a sale of the property before March 31, 2020.

The document also states that the successful buyer must agree to a restrictive covenant placed on the property’s title that significantly limits its commercial uses to those that would not compete with Canadian Tire or its affiliated businesses.…

The sale tease document also indicates planning concepts accompanying the November sale listing came from a planning and urban design analysis by Toronto planning consultant Bousfields Inc.

“Bousfield Inc’s massing scenario resulted in a potential development consisting of two 3-storey townhouse complexes as well as an 8-storey mixed-use residential building,” the Colliers document states. “While an amendment to zoning is required, the massing scenario conforms to the Hamilton Official Plan.”

The document does not refer to the fact 50 Cootes is located in a regulated flood plain, and that any new development would require significant flood proofing that could involve raising the site by three metres (10 feet) or more.

Read it in full here.

[SteelTown]

It looks like it'll be any day now that the old Dundas Canadian Tire will be completely demolished. They have gutted the inside and slowly tearing down bit by bit.

[thistleclub]

A year after initial offers closed…

Former Dundas Canadian Tire site can’t be used for a grocery store
(Dundas Star, Craig Campbell, Jan 28 2021)

A restrictive covenant placed on Canadian Tire’s property at 50 Cootes Dr. by Metro Ontario Inc. prevents it from ever being used for a grocery store.

Canadian Tire listed the vacant site for sale on January 25, 2021, with a price of $3.9 million, about 2.5 times the property’s assessed value. A previous sale agreement fell through last year. The property was first listed for sale with no asking price in November 2019.

Metro, which operates a grocery store at 15 Governors Rd., registered the restrictive covenant on the Canadian Tire property’s title on March 22, 2019.

The restrictive covenant states Canadian Tire Corporation “shall not lease, or sell, or use or occupy any part of the lands … in connection with the operation of a food supermarket, grocery store or wholesale or retail food store.”

The document lists a variety of specific fresh, frozen and prepackaged food that cannot be sold from any retail store on the property, other than “the incidental sale of food … provided that the area reserved for such sales does not exceed five per cent of the total retail selling area of such premises.”

The restrictive covenant “shall constitute a burden upon the lands for the benefit of the leased premises of Metro Ontario Real Estate Limited at 15 Governors Rd., Dundas.”

The timing of Metro’s restrictive covenant coincides with the company’s closure of its University Plaza store. Canadian Tire took over the lease and relocated from 50 Cootes Dr. to the former Metro location.

Metro spokesperson Stephanie Bonk said the company does not comment on “our various property agreements.”

The ban on grocery stores at 50 Cootes is in addition to a restrictive covenant Canadian Tire will place on the property, preventing any future owner from competing with any of its nearby stores or affiliates.

Future owners cannot use any portion of 50 Cootes Dr. for auto service, a gas station, hardware or home improvement, sporting goods, nursery or garden centre or products that could compete with Canadian Tire or clothing retailer Mark's.

Canadian Tire spokesperson Joscelyn Dosanjh declined to comment on the restrictive covenants or the new sale listing.

Read in full here.

[thistleclub]

Future ruins...

Dundas Hatt Street Millworks concept features two 8-storey buildings
(Dundas Star, Craig Campbell, Mar 5 2021)

City staff are reviewing a proposal for two eight-storey residential buildings plus two levels of parking on the former Valley City Manufacturing site at 64 Hatt St.

Forge & Foster, which bought the property in June 2017 and soon after announced a redevelopment vision called Millworks, submitted a formal consultation request to the City of Hamilton on Jan. 12, 2021. City of Hamilton spokesperson Michelle Williams said the proposal was circulated to city departments and outside agencies on Feb. 17 and staff comments are expected on March 11.

“A summary meeting with the applicant team will be scheduled once all of the key comments are received,” Williams said.

The city provided the consultation request form to the Dundas Star News, but no drawings or concept images of the proposed buildings were included.

She said if Forge & Foster, and planning consultant GSP Group, decide to pursue the concept outlined in the consultation request, official plan and zoning bylaw amendments would be required.

The former Valley City building is not a designated heritage building, but is on the heritage planning work plan for future review. It is in the city’s Inventory of Buildings of Architectural and/or Historical Interest.

When changes are proposed to an inventoried property, heritage planning staff can comment on how to accommodate it in a way that’s sympathetic to the heritage character and context, and can require a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment to review potential for any adverse effects and how to mitigate them.

According to a description of the proposal in the consultation request form, architects developed a “high level” plan that “maintains the existing heritage building for commercial uses and building a new eight-storey residential building in Phase 1, including two levels of parking, at-grade at the rear of the building.”

The proposal description states a second phase includes “eight storeys constructed above the existing heritage building for a total of ten storeys of residential units, including two levels of parking, at-grade at the rear of the building. It is proposed to step back the Phase 2 building along the front, rear and most easterly elevations. The intent is to retain the historical courtyard and chimney.”

The proposal notes setbacks from Spencer Creek, and floodproofing measures, must be established based on additional engineering and geotechnical work.

Hamilton Conservation Authority manager of watershed planning Mike Stone said the formal consultation request was circulated to HCA for review and comment.

He said the authority is still reviewing the proposal and had not provided comments as of March 4.

“Notwithstanding this, we have reviewed earlier proposals for this property and confirmed the site would be subject to flooding under a regional storm event,” Stone said. “We have had some prior discussion with Forge & Foster regarding the property. Any development proposal for the site will need to consider the flooding and erosion hazards, and the related applicable policies of the Dundas Special Policy Area and HCA’s regulatory requirements. This would include consideration of floodproofing requirements.”

Read it in full here.