To the Honorable Paul…

To the Honorable Paul Calandra, As a resident who lives within 1 block of this site, I am strongly opposed to MZO request the Mayor is proposing. Development is needed, but not a development that has not been subject to proper planning process. The community deserves development that presents details, drawings, community consultation.

1) Many residents were involved in planning the development as it was initially proposed (442 units). In 2024, there was surprise changes to the development; council voted on this quickly, off camera with no opportunity offered for community feedback.

2) This development is prioritizing profits over people, prioritizing the market rent homes over the affordable housing and the Mayor is advertising the MZO request as an advancement of affordable housing; the community is expecting this to be part of the solution to the homelessness crisis and that will not happen for many years to come.

3) The size of the tower is not in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood. I did not purchase my home to then be overshadowed by a tower, its residents looking into my yard. My home has narrow sideyards, therefore we do not have windows on the sides of the home. We depend on what little natural light will come in. The tower will block that for us. The city has not produced any studies as to how the tower or the increased density will impact the community. They have not done the work, to demonstrate what impact on traffic, infrastructure, light, wind and parking will have on the community. They simply have not done their homework.

4) There is currently significant pressures on parking on James St, Hughson, Strachan, Simcoe (East &West) and MacNab. The City could not advise how many parking spots are planned. Yes it is close to transit, but to assume that people living here won't be driving and won't be needing parking will be a disservice to the community. Only 20 spots (approx) are planned for the CHH and Indwell Building total if I am reading the drawing right. There is already an Indwell building in the community one block away, we were told they won't need parking either when the planning was done for that. Currently there are about 10-12 people who drive, causing tensions among themselves over the 6 street parking spots as well as the surrounding community. There is also no spaces for anyone who may need to stop there, visiting nursing, personal support workers, staff, work vehicles.

5) I can see why CN is defending it's rights. Though I am used to living here, I am not sure what the health impacts are of living close to a rail yard? Leaving windows open can leave a dirty mess, leaving one to wonder what the lasting impacts are. Health concerns should be dealt with by proper planning, such as increased setbacks.

6) Our mayor has used a top-down approach before, especially in our community, trying to railroad projects through under the guise of urgency. This has not worked out well. Not following proper planning and consultation has ended in significant issues with the microshelter project (significantly over budget) and Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters. Community feedback on both of these issues would have saved a lot of taxpayer money and public scrutiny. Rushing this project through will not likely have a different outcome.

7) The tower is 3x the agreed upon limit the CITY already agreed upon. If they are allowed to go back on the Setting Sail agreement, that is a statement saying community engagement and planning means nothing for future projects.

8) The new changes means those 647 units lose the green space/park. A development that big deserves a park.

8) This council voted on the project with few details. Even a year after a vote there is no artist rendering drawn to scale of what these changes will look like. How many parking spaces there will be. As far as I am aware this is unusual, to vote on a plan with so few details.

I respectfully ask you reject the Mayor's MZO request. This areas needs to be developed, but not at the expense of incomplete planning.