Were you consulted?

Results have been released by city planning staff of the virtual public consultation about Hamilton’s growth plans for the next 30 years. They are recommending using over 3300 gross developable acres of Hamilton’s remaining farmland for residential development. Staff have dubbed this the “ambitious density growth scenario” and say it won more support than the only other choice offered called the “increased targets” option that would see an expansion of over 4000 gross developable acres.

Everyone in the consultation effort was encouraged to complete an on-line survey that was the central method of determining public response. Just 150 people filled in the survey, although staff say another two dozen people contacted them with questions or comments. Hamilton has just over 540,000 residents.

“All of these questions and ideas add up to meaningful input for the project team to consider” argues the staff report. That isn’t everyone’s conclusion.

Many groups and residents have decried the refusal of the planners to offer an option in the consultation of no loss of farmland and freezing the existing urban boundary rather than allowing more expansion. Many of those are also arguing, along with some councillors, that on such a major decision many people are unable to participate virtually during a pandemic.

The consultation report states that “the city’s goal was to hear from as many people as possible” and describes multiple efforts to achieve that objective. A major one was digital billboard ads on the Linc and Upper Centennial Parkway which were “displayed millions of times” in January. The ad (see below) featured two planning acronyms, a website link and the message that “we want to hear from you” but no indication that growth or urban expansion were under consideration.

Digital billboard images used in consultation about how the city should grow

The acronyms are a convenience internal to the city planning department. Even what they are short for may be difficult for many people to understand. MCR refers to Municipal Comprehensive Review (no indication of what is being reviewed or why), and GRIDS2 stands for Growth Related Integrated Development Strategy second round

There were also contact efforts through social media ads and three virtual zoom meetings – two for the public and one for invited “stakeholders”. Total attendance at the meetings was “124 people including staff”.

Environment Hamilton, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and Grandmothers (and others) Acting to Save the Planet (GASP) are among those campaigning for additional opportunities for public input after the restrictions of the pandemic are lifted and people can meet in person. All of these groups also oppose any more loss of farmland to urban sprawl. Environment Hamilton has an on-line petition of nearly 1200 names demanding exactly that.

Many of the comments reported in the consultation review suggest this was also the view of many of those who submitted comments. A table listing “trending ideas” noted that “many participants expressed a preference” that the city “grow up, not out.” It also reported “there is expressed concern and opposition to growth into agricultural lands” and that “some participants requested that a zero boundary expansion option be presented.”

“Many comments were received from the public expressing a preference for a ‘no urban boundary expansion’ option,” explains the report. “Staff did not present a zero boundary expansion option because it would not meet the Provincial requirement for a market-based land needs assessment, and would result in an unbalanced supply of future housing units comprised primarily of apartments.”

Other feedback argued that a “climate change lens [be] seen as a critical planning tool for any and all growth scenarios” and advocated that city initiatives related to “climate change, transit and infrastructure planning be considered” as part of the growth strategy process to obtain “a holistic picture and develop a sustainable outcome.”

City council will discuss the consultation and the staff recommendations on Monday March 29. Residents can ask to speak at that meeting or submit their personal comments through an email to clerk@hamilton.ca addressed to the mayor and all members of council and referring to MCR/GRIDS consultation.