Ward 2 Update

Dayna, North End Resident and Reader

“I look forward to the always-prompt delivery of the next edition to my mailbox, and to receiving the email alerting me to its availability! I so appreciate that there remains a local community paper at a time when so many others have ceased publication. It’s been a great introduction to the North End!”

Kristina Santone

“Being a part of the North End Breezes board for the past two years has been a privilege. The team does amazing work within the community and serves as a resource hub for all. They are committed, and most importantly, passionate about preserving the North End’s legacy, while also continuing to foster its growth. Whether you are new to the area, or a longtime resident, I encourage you to volunteer with the Breezes in some capacity if you’re able. This team is small but mighty and they are always looking for more support. I’m grateful for the relationships and community I’ve been able to build while serving on the board.

I’ll be joining Welcome Inn as the Executive Director and look forward to taking on a new role in the North End Community while staying connected to The Breezes. “

By Cameron Kroetsch

Summer is here and it’s great seeing many of you out and about at events in Ward 2. In June, I saw hundreds of people enjoying nice weather in the North End, strolling up and down James Street North, and enjoying our neighbourhood parks.

There has been a lot of discussion about Jamesville, including media reporting on the condition of the property. A media release form City Housing Hamilton admitted, despite complaints from residents and discussions with the Ward 2 office since last year, they did not do a good job of maintaining the property. They’ve apologized and addressed many of the issues raised and will be following up more closely to ensure the property is maintained until it can be demolished.

It may be useful to review what has brought us to this point. About 10 years ago, City Housing Hamilton and the City began to empty Jamesville of its tenants. As the last of the tenants were leaving, they were assured the project would be completed in short order and they’d be able to return to their new homes.

That was a major miscalculation and a failed promise. It put many families in a difficult position. As I’ve heard from many North Enders, the impacts were felt across the neighbourhood, including in classrooms at Bennetto Elementary School.

From there, the project was awarded to a development team following lengthy community consultation and finally approved by Council in August 2022. CN filed an appeal of the development in September 2022. In it they said they’d reached out to the City with their concerns in July 2021, though no settlement negotiations were entered into at that time by the City or CHH. As a result, by the time the OLT processed their appeal, we had lost nearly 2 years we could have been using to resolve this dispute.

Since I was elected, the dispute has continued through legal settlement negotiations with CN before the OLT. Despite our attempts to resolve things, we haven’t reached a settlement.

I pushed the City to release the developer’s updated project plans, which we did last year. I also secured, as part of those plans and in consultation with North Enders, additional greenspace, the conservation of more trees, the potential for ground level retail, and the permanent preservation of the Sunset Cultural Garden. I also put forward policy changes at the CHH Board of Directors to ensure that what happened to Jamesville residents never happens again.

I acknowledge that despite all best efforts, CN has not agreed to the City’s proposals. With a hearing scheduled for later this year, the City is going to have to take a much more aggressive approach.

I will do everything I can to support a resolution as soon as possible. We have some tools at our disposal and I will be asking for them to be used if a settlement is not reached soon. I am hopeful we’ll have good news to share soon and can move the project forward. I am currently actively working to ensure site can be demolished as soon as possible. That remains a priority, but it requires coordination between the City, City Housing Hamilton, and the developer to ensure it is done properly, in a manner that’s safe for everyone in the neighbourhood.

As many of you likely know, Jamesville is contaminated, so it’s not simply a matter of knocking the buildings down. Many planning and environmental laws, regulations, and policies have changed since the project was first built and any new project must conform to the current standards.

When I have more information, I’ll share it here, online, and in my newsletter. That being said, I have to respect the confidential settlement process. I’m limited as to what I can share publicly. It’s part of the job and I take it seriously.

If you’d like to reach out about this issue or anything else, please send an email to the Ward 2 Team at Ward2@hamilton.ca. It’s always more effective to reach out to the Ward 2 Team by email, but you’re welcome to call us at (905) 546-2197 if that’s easier for you.

Until the next issue of the Breezes, be well, take care of one another, and enjoy the summer!