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Aerotropolis grounded until further study and consultation Agreement with province and citizens group avoids costly hearing BY ERIC McGUINNESS Hamilton is giving in to demands by the province and a citizens' group on its proposed 1,200-hectare airport-based industrial park known as aerotropolis. To avoid a long, costly Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing, the city is promising in writing much more study and public consultation before it expands the urban boundary. Planner Guy Paparella says there was never any question the city would do the work, but it's now spelled out. Chamber of Commerce CEO John Dolbec says the deal signed and presented to the OMB today means aerotropolis development -- seen as the solution to the city's employment land shortage -- will not start for at least five years. Mayor Larry Di Ianni says he hopes it won't take that long.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing warned city council not to approve an aerotropolis Official Plan amendment in June 2005, arguing it was premature and in conflict with the Provincial Policy Statement on planning.
Hamiltonians for Progressive Development (HPD) appealed first and the province quickly followed.
Minstry spokesman David Sit said the reworded amendment will allow the city to study the area, but another will be needed to develop the land.
HPD co-chair Michael Desnoyers of Ancaster said the revision "makes crystal clear it (the city) will be actively pursuing public consultation. The city isn't going to be pulling a fast one. The public will be part of the process and it must go through council for debate again."
Efforts to reach a deal began last year when the province sent in troubleshooter Alan Wells, who is now trying to head off demolition of the downtown landmark Lister Block.
City planner Guy Paparella assured board member Richard Makuch the revised Official Plan amendment "is not an urban boundary expansion," but an outline of the process required to open the area to employment uses.
He testified it lists the need for a land budget analysis, an urban development staging strategy, completion of the city's water, wastewater and transportation master plans, infrastructure design and finance plans, assessment of natural heritage features and agricultural land, a secondary plan and more -- all subject to a public participation process "included and enhanced by HPD wording."
emcguinness@thespec.com
905-526-4650
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