Hamilton Housing Policy

[Innsertnamehere]

great looking project - a shame that it took full site plan approval and a zoning by-law amendment to build though.

Ideally these should be given a streamlined SPA application at the very least with reduced fees and a quick 1 resubmission process to address minor issues. They don't need rigorous analysis and complex site plan agreements. At most it should be "fix these issues" - say the exact location of an accessibility ramp or how garbage would be stored, and issue the permit. No review of material selections, reduced parking requirements, permissive zoning.

If the city truly wants to eliminate the urban boundary expansion they are going to have to make these projects not only possible but easy to do, citywide.

If you want a developer to build a sixplex instead of a new mega sized SFH, you need to make the permitting process just as easy. There is no reason a developer will build like this if they need a 2 year approvals process if they can build a SFH simply by filing a building permit.


Just generally I'm weary of the City's push to eliminate the urban boundary expansion.. It's an honourable goal but I would be extremely surprised if they implement the policies needed to make infill development easy. Otherwise all it's going to do is restrict supply and making housing even more unaffordable.