I am a resident in the…

I am a resident in the neighbourhood and my main concerns are:

• The proposed 20-storey building greatly exceeds the maximum 6-storey height limit set by Hamilton’s Setting Sail Secondary Plan, which was developed through public consultation.

• The site was previously home to 91 rent-geared-to-income housing units, but the new plan prioritizes market-rate housing first, delaying affordable housing for displaced residents. The market rate housing should be prioritized.

•CN Rail has raised concerns about the site’s proximity to the rail yard, but no public mitigation plans or technical evidence have been shared to show how the site and a newly proposed 20 story tower addresses these issues. I can hear the trains daily, and I am much, much further from the site. I guarantee there will be noise complaints.

There is not enough green space, trees and public amenities incorporated into this design. The side facing James street should have opportunities for small commercial businesses.

• This MZO bypasses local democratic planning processes and community input, undermining trust in fair development decisions.

I am strongly in favour of Jamesville's redevelopment, but the addition of the 20 story tower, poor design, and the delay of social housing until the end seems like a serious misstep.

I can also attest to the noise, vibrations, and dirt that comes from the CN railyard and agree that strong mitigation of these concerns should be addressed in the new development for the sake of the new residents.

Requesting an MZO results in the bypassing of local democracy and input, reduces accountability and transparency, avoids environemental assessments, and typically benefits private interests such as developers.

For these reasons, I am unsupportive of the MZO.