Ontario Regulation 494/24 – Zoning Order Amendment in the City of Hamilton

A Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO), made pursuant to clause 47(1)(a) of the Planning Act, regulates the use of land and the erection, location and use of any building or structure on the land.

The Minister is considering a request from the Minister of Long-term Care and City of Hamilton to amend Ontario Regulation 447/20.

The area covered by Ontario Regulation 447/20 is approximately 8.9 hectares and the subject lands are located north of Fennell Avenue West and west of West 5th Street in the City of Hamilton.

Ontario Regulation 447/20 facilitates the development of a range of residential uses including single family dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, townhouse dwellings and multiple dwellings (apartments), in addition to institutional uses permitted by municipal zoning, including long-term care and retirement homes.

The current zoning permits, among other things, a maximum height of 18 metres for long-term care and retirement home buildings. In order to accommodate the proposed development for the subject lands, increased heights are required for these buildings.

If made, the requested amendment to the MZO would permit:

• Long-term care buildings up to 34 metres or 8 storeys in height;
• Retirement home buildings up to 70 metres or 18 storeys in height.

To help ensure decisions are made in a transparent manner and support government priorities, the Ministry is seeking feedback on whether this request should be considered and any additional information that may help inform a decision.