West Hamilton Industrial Area Land Use
and Servicing Review

The City of Hamilton has completed its review of land use, zoning and infrastructure in the West Hamilton Industrial Area, as shown in map below. The study area includes the site of the future McMaster Innovation Park on Longwood Road.

The preferred zoning has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board by Trinity Developments.  Councillor McHattie held a public meeting to discuss the appeal.  The meeting report can be viewed here.

Update as of September 18, 2008:

At a prehearing meeting held on January 15, 2008, Trinity was directed to submit their documentation to the City of Hamilton by June 2008 and another meeting would be scheduled for September.  The documentation was not submitted by the June deadline. 

A prehearing meeting was held on September 15.  In exchange for the City agreeing to a delay in Trinity submitting all of their planning studies, Trinity has agreed to limit their appeal to only their own lands. This does two things: simplifies the OMB case and allows development adhering to the City's West Hamilton Innovation District zoning to proceed (ie. research park type uses).

Trinity has provided a Functional Services Report and a Marketing report to the City.   

Trinity has yet to provide Traffic and Planning Reports to the City.  These are tentatively expected by the end of September.

A further prehearing conference has been confirmed for January 13th, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.  This will give the City some time to review, consider, and react to the above reports.

Update as of December 30, 2008:

Trinity has now provided the required reports.  City staff are meeting with the OMB participants (Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association, Ainslie Wood Westdale Community Association, Westdale BIA, Locke Street BIA, Main West Esplanade BIA) in January.  A public meeting is also planned - date to be determined.

Reports:

Site Plan Map

Market Study Part 1

Market Study Part 2

Traffic Impact Study

Functional Services Report (original)

Functional Services Report (updated)

Update as of January 6, 2010

The opportunity to purchase this property came about as a result of the community pulling together in opposition to the Trinity Development "big box" application which did not fit the West Hamilton Innovation District zoning vision. When Trinity pulled out, these lands came back for sale.  The City's purchase of these lands will allow the City to complete the Frid St extension (linking Dundurn/Chatham/Frid and Longwood) which will enabling new innovation companies to locate here. The Frid St extension will also be an important pedestrian and cycling link with bike lanes linking with Dundurn and Longwood.

The extension of Frid Street and installation of development-related infrastructure on the former CP lands was approved by City Council as the top priority funding application in seeking funding from the Federal Government’s Southern Ontario Development Program.  The estimated completion of the infrastructure work is set for Spring 2011.

We would like to thank the efforts of the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association, the Ainslie Wood Westdale Community Association, the Locke Street BIA, the Westdale BIA and the Main West Esplanade BIA for their work in opposing the "big box" project.

The McMaster Innovation Park and the West Hamilton Industrial Planning Area are collectively referred to as the West Hamilton Innovation District.

For more information, visit the City website.