I am in favour of Bill 185,…

I am in favour of Bill 185, especially the right of developers to appeal municipal decisions that reject applications to expand the urban boundary. Hamilton City Council believes it can achieve provincial growth targets by using very high levels of denser housing structures. This approach worked in 2023 when 85% of all permits were stacked town homes and condo towers, but it’s only a short-term solution. Once the demand for denser housing is satisfied, Hamilton will fail to meet its targets because newcomers wanting a patch of grass will go elsewhere. A more balanced approach is needed that allows enough semi and fully detached homes to meet demand and this will only be possible with modest extensions of the urban boundary from time-to-time.