Report on West Hamilton Innovation District Ontario Muncipal Board Prehearing, January 15, 2008

A message from the office of Brian McHattie:

As we reported to you on December 20, 2007, Trinity Developments appealed the City’s Official Plan Amendment, which created the West Hamilton Innovation District, to the Ontario Municipal Board. Trinity has made a conditional offer to purchase 37 acres for a “box store automotive commercial development.”

A Prehearing was held on January 15, 2008 to give the community an opportunity to request “party” or “participant” status.

The AWWCA, the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association, the Westdale Village BIA, the Locke Street BIA, the Main West Esplanade BIA, and a few independent individuals were granted participant status. Participants are permitted to submit a prepared statement outlining their views/positions on the matter before the Board. They can be cross-examined by the Parties, but cannot cross-examine themselves.

The hearing was originally scheduled for April 14, however Trinity requested a delay because their documentation (traffic studies, environmental reports etc.) will not be completed by this date. According to Trinity’s lawyer, Trinity hasn’t yet determined whether the site is viable for this project. In addition, the City needs to review these studies in order to build its case against the appeal.

We will continue to update you on this issue, as new information becomes available.

Partners in Education Reducing Poverty

The Kirkendall Neighbourhood Community Care Committee, a new committee of the Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association, would like you to know about an important series of events that will be taking place in early February.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction have partnered to host a series of events that will be taking place from February 5 – 7, 2008. Dr. Ruby Payne, Ph.D. will be at each of the three events as a keynote speaker and will discuss “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”.

We feel the sessions will be a valuable resource for those working and living in the community and an opportunity to continue our work of improving the quality of life for our most vulnerable; by helping to understand and alleviate poverty in Hamilton.

Each of the sessions has a different focus (click the links to each session for a flyer that includes contact information [PDF]):

1. Business and Community Leaders
2. Professionals Working with Children and Families
3. Parents and the Hamilton Community

Please forward this message along to anyone you know who might be interested in attending.