Raise the Hammer

People in Winona want it... urbanists do not...

Who do you think the OMB will side with? My bet goes to the same people they also rule with; the big box 'developers'.

On that Note; I just visited The Centre On Barton gag... Sorry, almost vomited saying that; WHAT A DISGRACE!

Sam Merulla, is this your legacy as Ward 4 Councilor? It sure reflects your style! Annoying and IN YO' FACE!

OMB will rule in the City's favour. I will be profoundly shocked if they do not.

One side of me is grateful for HPD bringing this appeal, but at the same time I feel they are wasting scarce resources chasing a lost cause.

Someone had to take a stand though ...

People in Winona want it

Actually, from everything I heard, Winona is divided. Many people feel this development will destroy Winona's rural character. I imagine it's Winona's newer residents who want this. Big surprise.

When does the conversation shift to HPD being against poor people for not wanting MORE big box stores in our community?

(TONGUE FIRMLY PLANTED IN CHEEK)

Those small businesses in Winona will be the losers, especially if Walmart gets in there. Many small communties across the US have died, good jobs gone, communities turned into waste lands.

Walmart always seems to get subsidies, yet when those small business owners try to get the same, the door closes.

This small community should be afraid, very afraid.

Highwater>> "Actually, from everything I heard, Winona is divided. Many people feel this development will destroy Winona's rural character. I imagine it's Winona's newer residents who want this. Big surprise."

I'm pretty sure Winona lost it's 'rural charm' once (most of) it's Fair Grounds were sold off for development, and ugly cookie cutter homes took over.

I guarantee 100% that it's ONLY those residents who want that Wal Mart.

Hamilton: Closed for Business; Unless You Own a Walmart!

The issue here is not Big Box or no Big Box or whether Wal Mart is appropriate for this site. The appeal is based upon the fact that this is a utilization of scarce and key employment grade lands that are being converted and how this conversion violates the many principles of the PPS and P2G. In addition, it violates so many of the basic principles that the City has established and adopted or is about to adopt. This area like the Centennial conversion is a gateway with access to a major highway. All the ingredients for employment lands. We are desperate and need a developments fix hence - another big box!

M. Desnoyers
Co-Chair
HPD

M Desnoyers: It begs to ask many questions that the city can by pass rules and regulations.

Grassroots:

I personally don't believe there is such a thing as a perfect set of rules/ policies/ procedures etc. that can accomodate every circumstance. There has to be enough flexibility that allows some variance as long as the changes follow the overall original intent for the creation of the "rules". The administration of the "rules" is somewhat dependent on the integrity of the individuals who adopted the "rules" in the first place to faithfully administer them for the intended purpose. I can imagine there are many who will say therein lies the problem.

With respect to the planned conversion of the Centennial and Winona lands there are numerous violations of the PPS and P2G which are both provincially mandated policies. I think on that basis alone one could argue that this council did not create those "rules" so why should we be forced to follow them? For starters - the word chaos comes to mind. Equally significant is the fact that the conversions violate or circumvent numerous principles of Vision 2020, GRIDS, the old Hamilton Official Plan and yes, believe it or not, the just recently adopted NEW Official Plan. The ink is not dry and developers are already finding ways to essentially break the "rules".

The Centennial issue is particularly nasty because there are NO sidewalks and is only transit supported during the summer months. If you choose to attempt to ride a bicycle to this area you are essentially risking serious injury due to the drastic narrowing of Centennial to go under the rail tracks. The list goes on for nearly 11 pages in the OMB submission.

Whether it is these two instances or the planned Aerotropolis, HPD will continue to ask the questions publicly that most of council does not want to address but as residents and taxpayers we should be demanding answers to.

M. Desnoyers
Chair
HPD

M Desnoyers: There are a couple of points that you have mentioned that I have discussed with family members such as no sidewalks, no bus service, so there you go. Many people who live down in that area are low income and do not have a car and have young children.

Hey Dave K- to follow up your digression, at what point in the revitalization of James St. N. did the focus shift from accommodating artists, many of whom might be defined as the "working poor," to the exclusive accommodation of a wealthier, middle-class clientelle? It can't have been with the arrival of more poor (as in "less than wealthy") Toronto artists who were attracted by Hamilton's cheaper real-estate prices.

I am pleased by your, and the street's success. Actually seeing James N. sidewalks crowded with visiting arts crawlers a couple weeks back was a real treat, but I wouldn't recommend you undervalue the money of local artists anytime soon. Be patient. Those who can't keep up with the area's nascent gentrification will be pushed aside soon enough. Meanwhile, they help provide the street with that "risky," "edgy" ambiance so attractive to the really "cool" wealthy.