Hamilton gets a peek at future development projects with Staging of Development Report

Hamilton’s Planning Committee members got a look at what’s coming down the pipeline in the next three years with the release of the Staging of Development Report, which outlines a plan for the future growth of the City over the next three years that co-ordinates the financing and construction of infrastructure with planning studies and development approvals.

A total of 26 residential projects are expected to proceed to be ready for servicing next year, totaling 4,881 units. The biggest housing projects scheduled for 2024 include Fletcher Road (Phases 1 & 2) at 340 units and Summit Park (Phase 11) at 283 units.

Other major residential projects in the works include three 30-storey buildings and a 24-storey tower at 77 James St. N (a total of 1,940 units); four 13-storey buildings and four 4-storey townhouse buildings (1,341 units) at 1842 King St. E; and two 24-storey buildings, two 15-storey buildings, five blocks of townhouses & a four-storey building (1,209 units) at 526 Winona Road.

Major capital infrastructure projects were also included in the report.

Fletcher Road housing project

The total residential growth that is expected to be approved by 2026 is 17,100 residential units and nearly 4.8 million square feet of industrial and commercial space.

Staff also included detailed maps with the staged development in a dozen Hamilton neighbourhoods, including Ancaster, Binbrook, Dundas/West Hamilton, Flamborough, Glanbrook, Hamilton Mountain East, Hamilton Mountain West, Lower Stoney Creek, Stoney Creek Mountain, Downtown West, Downtown Central and Downtown East.

Twenty-six already approved Draft Plans of Subdivision are expected to be serviced in 2024; nine in 2025; eight in 2026 or beyond; six with no timing identified; and two plans dependent on outcomes of the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Eighteen Draft Plans of Subdivision are expected to receive draft approval in 2024; five in 2025; six in 2026 or beyond; two with no timing identified; with nine that are before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

The timing of potential approvals and project servicing as well as the time frame with potential intensification applications are estimates, with factors such as legislative changes, staffing and workload constraints and shifting priorities affecting those outcomes.

The Staging of Development Report is still an important tool to guide growth by balancing capital infrastructure needs with co-ordination of development approvals and should provide Hamilton Council with an overview of potential short-, medium- and long-term residential intensification projects that contribute to the city’s population and housing unit growth targets.

Hamilton’s population is expected to grow by 62,000 by 2031, with the number of housing units to grow by 35,600 during the same period. The City signed a housing pledge in early 2023 committing to the development of 47,000 new housing units by 2031, though staff is confident the extra 11,400 units can be built in time to meet the provincial targets.

On the employment side, the number of jobs in Hamilton is expected to increase by 33,000 between 2021 and 2031; about 3,000 jobs per year.

To see the full report, visit https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=388128